By Favour Bibaikefie

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has commended the six presidential candidates of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and key stakeholders for their efforts toward ensuring a peaceful transition of leadership within the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation.

The commendation was conveyed during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa, where all the candidates contesting the INC presidency agreed to withdraw pending court cases relating to the election.

A statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Doubara Atasi, noted that the governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, praised the commitment of the candidates and other institutions that facilitated the reconciliation process.

Governor Diri also appreciated the role played by the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE), the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the INC National Electoral Committee in resolving issues surrounding the election.

Drawing inspiration from the Bible, particularly First Kings Chapter 3, the governor likened the decision of the candidates to withdraw their court cases to the wisdom displayed by the true mother in the biblical story of King Solomon’s judgement.

According to him, the development demonstrates the “enthusiasm, love and patriotic fervour” of the candidates toward advancing the collective interests of the Ijaw nation.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the candidates—including High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei, who had earlier obtained a court injunction stopping the INC election scheduled for the previous weekend—confirmed their decision to withdraw all legal actions and pledged to support a peaceful electoral process.

Also reacting, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, described the outcome of the meeting as encouraging and expressed optimism that the issues surrounding the election would soon be resolved.

He said: “Today is a culmination of several efforts being made by myself and some members of the INC Exco to ensure that the transition moves on smoothly, and we will get to the appropriate destination.”

Professor Okaba further noted that the meeting convened by the Bayelsa governor in his capacity as Governor-General of the Ijaw nation was productive, revealing that all six candidates had agreed to withdraw their court cases.

“I want to assure you that we are going to explore the 30-day window given to us by the Convention to ensure that the election holds,” he added.

The meeting was attended by all INC presidential candidates, the Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali; Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomor; Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and CITRE, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo; Chairman of the INC Electoral Committee, retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Tabai; his deputy and Pere of Tarakiri Clan, Dr. Seiyifa Koroye, among other prominent stakeholders.

By Favour Bibaikefie

The Delta State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited have intensified efforts toward the construction of the long-proposed Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road and Bridges project, a major infrastructure initiative expected to boost connectivity and economic activities in the riverine areas of Delta State.

The proposed project, which covers about 70 kilometres with 29 bridges, is designed to link several riverine communities and provide a strategic road corridor that will enhance movement of people, goods and services across the Niger Delta.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC and Chevron to ensure the project is realised. He gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the leadership of the commission and a delegation from Chevron Nigeria Limited at Government House, Asaba.

The governor commended the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, for the strides recorded under his leadership and pledged the commitment of the Delta State Government to support initiatives that would bring development to the riverine communities.

He described the Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road as a critical infrastructure project capable of unlocking economic opportunities and improving access to coastal settlements.

“We are ready to partner with NDDC on this project because it is very key to those living in the riverine areas. Delta State believes in executing projects that people will see and appreciate,” the governor said.

Oborevwori, however, stressed that the state government’s support would be contingent on the engagement of a reputable construction firm with the technical capacity to deliver the project to completion.

According to him, the state government will constitute a technical team to work with both the NDDC and Chevron to review the project design, assess the present cost implications and determine the responsibilities of each stakeholder.

The governor said the team would also address technical issues including right-of-way considerations, possible realignment of sections of the road and other engineering requirements necessary to ensure the successful execution of the project.

He noted that Delta State had consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting major infrastructure projects, including federal government initiatives, adding that the state was currently undertaking several strategic road and flyover constructions on federal road corridors within the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Sam Ogbuku, said the commission and Chevron were in Delta State to brief the governor on the progress made in discussions surrounding the proposed project.

Ogbuku explained that the road project had originally been awarded by the commission several years ago but remained incomplete, prompting the NDDC to explore collaborative arrangements aimed at delivering it in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that abandoned projects across the Niger Delta should be completed.

He emphasised that the Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road would play a transformative role in opening up remote communities and stimulating economic development across the region.

“The benefit of this project to the region and to Delta State cannot be overemphasized. It is about 70 kilometres long with 29 bridges, and it will open up the area for socio-economic development,” Ogbuku said.

The NDDC boss further disclosed that Chevron had already secured approvals from its joint venture partners to participate in the project and that several engagements had been held between the parties to advance discussions.

According to him, technical experts from the NDDC, Delta State Government and Chevron will soon convene to validate the existing design, review project costs and conduct environmental and geotechnical assessments required for the project.

He added that consultations with host communities would also be undertaken to address right-of-way matters and other local concerns that could affect the implementation of the project.

Speaking on behalf of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Segun Kuteyi expressed the company’s willingness to partner with the NDDC and Delta State Government to ensure the successful execution of the project.

Kuteyi noted that Chevron had maintained operations in Nigeria for over six decades and remained committed to supporting infrastructure development in communities within its areas of operation.

He said the proposed road would significantly enhance transportation between Warri and Escravos, while also providing economic opportunities for local communities and institutions.

According to him, key establishments such as the Escravos Gas to Liquid Project (EGTL), the Escravos Terminal, Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, as well as emerging small and medium-scale enterprises within the corridor, would benefit immensely from the project.

Kuteyi stressed that delivering the project would require strong collaboration among all stakeholders, including the Delta State Government, the NDDC, Chevron and its joint venture partners.

He further stated that Chevron was committed to fostering the partnerships necessary to ensure the safe and timely completion of the project, which is expected to take several years due to its scale and the challenging terrain of the riverine environment.

At the end of the meeting, the stakeholders agreed to establish a joint technical committee tasked with determining the final cost of the project, reviewing its design to reflect current realities and outlining the financial contributions of all participating parties.

The committee’s work will precede the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will formally pave the way for the commencement of the long-anticipated road project.

By Favour Bibaikefie

A Nigerian woman identified on social media as Onyeka!!!!27th July (@yeeeeka) has raised alarm over the plight of Nigerians reportedly stranded in Qatar as tensions linked to the ongoing United States–Israeli conflict involving Iran continue to disrupt movement across parts of the Middle East.

The distressed appeal, which has been circulating widely online, was first shared by the popular blog platform YabaLeftOnline Media, drawing attention to the situation of Nigerians said to be trapped in transit for several days.

In a post expressing deep frustration, the woman described the difficult conditions she and other Nigerians are currently facing.

“Never been this helpless before in my life 😢. 9 days stuck in Qatar with my family and other Nigerians who were on transit. Countries have picked up their citizens from here; it’s mostly Nigerians that are left. We have called the Embassy and Consulate yet no positive response,” she wrote.

According to her, many Nigerians in the group feel abandoned as diplomatic efforts to secure their evacuation or alternative travel arrangements have yet to produce results.

“Every Nigerian here just feels helpless. The passport can’t even get us a Saudi visa to at least leave from here. Once you click Nigerian it stops, even with a UK visa. This situation is a highly diplomatic situation but we seem to not have strong diplomatic relations,” she added.

The stranded woman also appealed directly to relevant Nigerian authorities and public officials for urgent intervention.

“For the repatriation flight, for how long are we going to have to wait for? We need help here. There are really old people here with us and children,” she stated, tagging officials including @abikedabiri, @NigeriaMFA, @firstladyship and @ruffydfire.

The development has sparked reactions among Nigerians on social media, with many calling on the Federal Government to take swift action to evacuate affected citizens.

Reacting to the report in a WhatsApp discussion group, a user identified simply as Josephine lamented what she described as the nation’s failure to prioritise the welfare of its citizens abroad.

“This is it, yeah let’s continue to treat Nigeria anyhow. One day is one day we will all have no other homes to run to but Nigeria. The earliest we do the needful, remember COVID-19, abi? Who knows, those who are stranded didn’t bargain for it but suddenly it happened,” she wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) regarding the alleged situation of Nigerians stranded in Qatar.

Observers say the incident once again highlights the vulnerability of citizens caught in international crises and the importance of prompt diplomatic response in protecting Nigerians abroad.