News
Ayakoromo Bridge to be Completed in Early 2027 – Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori
Visits Trans-Warri Road, Two more Jetties to be built.
By Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced early 2027 as the definitive completion date for the Ayakoromo Bridge project, this is a decisive step aimed at fast-tracking infrastructural development and fulfill a promise to riverine communities, accordingtothe governor.
The Governor noted that the critical project had suffered years of uncertainty and delays, but stressed that he was committed to ensuring its completion as scheduled.
He made this declaration during an inspection visit to the site of the Ayakoromo Bridge across the Forcados River, along with the 3km approach road at Egbo-Ide in Ughelli-South and Burutu local government areas.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized the importance of the 612-metre long bridge comprising 18 spans with 24 metres between each span to the communities of Egbo-Ide and Ayakoromo.
He added that although the contract was awarded before his administration, he ensured the contractor was remobilized to the site.
“This project is very dear to me and the people. The contractor has set 2027 as the completion date, but we would be pleased if it is finished early 2027,” he said.
“I am confident the contractor will deliver as promised, but I have also directed them to accelerate the pace of work. This bridge is crucial for connecting surrounding villages.
“As you can see, the people are excited even though they were not informed of my visit. This shows how important the bridge is to the two communities and others in the area.”
Earlier, the Governor visited the Trans-Warri Road and Bridges Project in Warri South Local Government Area.
He remarked that the project would enhance connectivity and create economic opportunities for both urban and rural dwellers.
“This project is vital to our people because it connects us with those in rural areas and expands opportunities.
“You saw how happy the people were as we arrived; elders and other villagers came out joyfully. This project is particularly important to the Itsekiri nation, which is why I am determined to see it through to completion.
“I was here in September 2024, and I am back again for inspection. I believe that by early next year, this project will be inaugurated, as it has already been delayed for nearly 19 years.
“We will no longer tolerate delays beyond project timelines. Under our MORE Agenda, we have committed to doing more for Deltans, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Governor Oborevwori announced the construction of two jetties in the area and explained that, due to the rainy season, the construction company is allowing the newly sand-filled areas to settle for road stability.
He, however, urged the firm to accelerate work to ensure the project is completed within his first term in office.
News
Just In: Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi Passes Away, Chief Engr. Pondi Mourns Beloved Father-In-Law
By Divine Perezide
The Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has been plunged into deep sorrow following the passing of their revered patriarch, Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi. The esteemed octogenarian reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, May 1, 2025, as confirmed by his family.
Capt. Elaweremi, who was the oldest living member of the Ayakoromo community residing in Warri, was widely respected for his upright character and positive influence on many across the Niger Delta region during his lifetime.
Of significant note is that the late Elaweremi was the father of Mrs. Blessing Pondi, the beloved first wife of High Chief Engr. Kestin Pondi of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Reacting to the shocking news, Engr. Kestin Pondi expressed his grief and admiration, stating “Late Pa. William Elaweremi was a father figure to me and treated me like a so.” He extended his heartfelt sympathies to his wife Blessing, her siblings, and his cherished mother-in-law, Mrs Beauty Elaweremi. He urged them to find strength in their faith, adding; “Papa is sleeping in the bosom of the Lord his creator.”
Since the announcement of Pa Elaweremi’s death, a steady stream of friends, well-wishers, and sympathizers from both the Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo and the Pondi family of Sokebolou in the Ogulagha Kingdom have gathered at his residence in ijaw Quarters, Bendel Estate, Airport Road, Effurun, Warri, to offer their condolences.
On the first day of mourning, ronowned community figure Chief Kingsley Takemebo, also know as Mienkuro 1, offered musical consolation to Chief Mrs. Blessing Pondi and the entire Elaweremi family, urging them to take heart during this difficult time.
Among the notable individuals who paid condolenc visits were Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, MD of Fenog and Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Engr. Kestin Pondi; Chief Godfrey Pondi, GM of Operations at Tantita; Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, House of Representative member for Burutu Federal Constituency; Chief Kenneth Obogu; Chief Barrister Smooth; Chief Boro Opudu; Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, Delta State House of Assembly member for Burutu North; Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. George Ekpemupolo; Chief Lucky Youbogha; Ambassador Binebai Prince will, IYC Worldwide Spokesman; Chief Ebimobowei Oguma, and several others.
Photo Credit: The Liberator Newspaper
News
DELTA DEVELOPMENT: MULADE URGES GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI TO INDUSTRIALIZE DELTA STATE THROUGH AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE
By Admin
Delta State born environmentalist and development advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to adopt a pragramatic approach towards industrializing Delta state.
While stating that leaders all over the world now adopt strategies to harness the resources of their countries for more infrastructural development, job creation and economic growth, translating to wealth creation, Comrade Mulade said Delta State cannot be an exception, especially as the State is richly endowed with human capital and natural resources which are the keys to unlocking the greatness of the State.
The development advocate and the Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-west LGA called on the State Governor to industrialise the State using its agricultural and aqua-cultural endowments. He said “Delta State is greatly endowed with arable land and marine resources that can turn the State into a food basket for local consumption and create revenues via exports while also achieving the aim of diversifying from an oil-dependent economy in the long run.”
The Gbaramatu Chief noted that adopting an agro-based industrialisation strategy would go a long way to creating wealth for the State’s teeming unemployed youths and women. “By engaging them, it will reduce the rate of unemployment and food scarcity, while boosting food sufficiency and its affordability, a key to reducing the poverty index of the State,” he asserted.
He stated that the industrialisation of the State through agriculture and aqua-culture would create opportunities for youths and women, and curtail the wastage of idle human resources and turn them into assets that can contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State.
According to Mulade, “agro-based industrialisation will help to reduce the insecurity challenges and criminal tendencies and immorality prevalent in the society. As the saying goes, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. When the youths and women are meaningful engaged, this will improve peace and reduce anti-social behaviors like armed robbery, prostitution amongst others, and in the long run attract more investors into the State.”
He said apart from crude oil, “the many resources in the riverine areas of the State are greatly untapped especially in the aquacultural sector. The potentials of unemployed youths in the creeks can be tapped thereby turning the coastal areas into exporting zones of seafoods and revenue generation.”
He stated that failure of the State government to meaningfully engage the next generation would amount to societal devastation that would be difficult to recover from as the negative impact would be disastrous.
He, therefore, appealed to the Oborevwori Administration to prioritize the industrialisation of the State through agriculture and aquaculture, as Delta has a lot to benefit in the long run. “This poor areas should be strategically looked into, devoid of politics, for the interest of the future of our dear Delta State.”
Pope Francis dies at 88 from stroke and heart failure, Vatican says: Live updates and reactions
The Vatican announced that Francis died on Monday morning, a day after emerging from convalescence to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter.
Pope Francis greets the faithful in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis greets the faithful at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013. (Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican’s top doctor said Monday. Francis was 88.
The stroke led to a coma and “irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse,” Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said in a statement reported by multiple news outlets.
Francis died Monday at 7:35 a.m. at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse at the Vatican where he lived.
In a statement, Arcangeli said Francis also suffered from episodes of respiratory insufficiency and had previously had bilateral pneumonia, as well as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Francis recently spent more than a month in the hospital with double pneumonia. But he emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and make a surprise popemobile ride through the piazza.
It was his last public appearance before his death.
Credit: Dylan Stableford and Katie Mather