News
Niger Delta: Gov. Oborevwori Seek Collaboration For Development.
By Anthony Beauty
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has called for cooperation between the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and State Governments to ensure that the Niger Delta region benefits from high-quality projects under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Oborevwori expressed this during a courtesy visit from Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and his delegation at Government House, Asaba on Saturday.
Governor Oborevwori, while congratulating Minister Momoh on his appointment, stressed the importance of collaboration to enhance the living conditions of the region’s residents. He pointed out the pressing need to address infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas like road projects, security, and shore protection, as well as youth restiveness.
He also emphasized the significance of addressing erosion issues and improving the region’s road network, highlighting that the Niger Delta plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy due to its wealth production. Governor Oborevwori underscored the importance of ensuring that contractors and those awarding contracts prioritize quality over shortcuts.
He said: “A few days ago I received the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi who was here to look at the state of the Federal roads in the State. He saw for himself the state of the Warri-Benin Road and also the East-West Road. “I am happy for your appointment because you are somebody from this region and I know that when you appoint somebody from the region he will do something that he will be remembered for.
“You are already aware of the pains and challenges we are passing through because you have said it all but its not just about knowing the challenges and not dealing with them.
“You may know what is happening and not dealing with the challenges. You have passed through the road to Port Harcourt, the whole area is bad.
“This region produces the highest wealth that we use in running this country so attention ought to be paid to the region.
“This is the opportunity you have to put the records straight, those that are going to be in charge whether contractors or those giving out the contracts should do the right thing because what is causing this problem is shortcut.
“As a Minister for the Niger Delta, do your best to ensure that the region gets the best in terms of road projects, security, shore protection among others. Don’t also forget the issue of youth restiveness.
“Most of our riverine areas are being taken over by erosion and we need to also look at our roads and how we can fix them. That’s the reason the NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta were created to focus on the Niger Delta”.
Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering high-quality projects and mentioned the approval of over N5.5 billion for civil servants’ promotion arrears. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with Julius Berger on several projects and allocate significant funds for the construction of federal roads.
“When I came in, I said I need quality jobs and we have inaugurated some projects and we are consolidating on the old projects and finishing them while also embarking on new ones.
“We are bringing Julius Berger to execute projects in Warri and Effurun. Exco has approved N78bn and between now and next month we will sign the agreement because we are mobilising them with 25 per cent.
“Most of those roads are Federal Roads. Is it the PTI junction, DSC and Effurun roundabouts or the Enerhen junction to Marine quarters?
“These are all Federal roads and if a Governor can approve N78bn to construct Federal roads then we need to collaborate to work for the people. Politics has come and gone and it is now time for us to see how we can develop the region,” he said
In response, Minister Momoh explained that their delegation’s visit aimed to assess the current situation and challenges in the Niger Delta region. He stressed the need for collaboration between the Ministry, state governments, and other stakeholders to promote development and peace in the region. He mentioned that the Ministry and NDDC were ready to work with state governments to identify and prioritize major projects that would benefit the Niger Delta region.
He said: “As Governors of the states you are the authority and custodians of the states and as far as the Ministry is concerned, we need to collaborate with the Governors of the states in order to bring about development and peace to the Niger Delta region.
“We are here to carry out the assignment of President Bola Tinubu of the renewed hope agenda with eight presidential priorities of Mr President which if fully pursued vigorously Nigeria will be better for it.
“We have directed the NDDC on how to partner with state governments in order to target major projects executed across the Niger Delta and if the Ministry can come together with the state governments to identify some of these areas, I believe that we will do better than we were doing before”
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.