Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives that support vulnerable groups across the Niger Delta region. Speaking during a courtesy call by the reigning Miss World Nigeria 2026, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi George, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Commission believes in partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations, and development-focused stakeholders. He disclosed that the NDDC would explore avenues for collaboration with the beauty queen’s non-governmental organisation to support programmes that target the less privileged in Niger Delta communities. Ogbuku assured Miss…

Beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2026/2027 foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme are set to travel abroad to commence their respective programmes abroad. At a pre-departure briefing for the 200 beneficiaries, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, urged the scholars to be worthy ambassadors of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria, stressing that the scholarship was a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that would contribute to the region’s development. He therefore charged them to strive for academic excellence, maintain good character, and avoid social vices, particularly drug abuse, while studying abroad. Ogbuku encouraged the scholars to…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated medical equipment to the Model Primary Health Care Centre, Orogbum Community, in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of its efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality healthcare in the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated at the handover ceremony that the intervention aligned with the Commission’s mandate to enhance healthcare delivery and improve the well-being of people in communities across the region. He noted that access to functional healthcare facilities was critical to sustainable development and reiterated the Commission’s…

The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has called on African nations to adopt a new relationship with the ocean through sustainable practices and inclusive governance. ABER Convener and Publisher of Blue Economy Newsmagazine, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, made the call to mark World Ocean Day 2026. This year’s global theme is: “Reimagine: Beyond the World We Know, a New Relationship With Our Ocean.” Kiyaramo urged Africa’s 38 coastal and 16 landlocked countries to embrace sustainable fisheries, clean ports, protected mangroves, and community-led ocean stewardship. He said Africa’s blue future depends on empowering fishers, women, and youths to play leading roles in…

Renowned environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey has urged Nigerian universities to take the lead in tackling climate change, describing the crisis as an urgent threat requiring immediate action. Speaking at the 2026 World Environment Day celebration at Igbinedion University, Okada, Bassey said climate action could no longer be postponed. He warned that climate change is driving a global polycrisis marked by food insecurity, biodiversity loss, pollution, economic instability, displacement and conflict. According to him, Nigeria is already experiencing severe impacts, including floods, coastal erosion, desertification, declining agricultural productivity and worsening heat stress. Bassey stressed that Africa contributes only a small fraction…

Residents of Ijaw communities in Delta State on Monday disrupted activities at several oil Flow Stations in the coastal communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state. The residents, in a peaceful protest, demanded immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INECs) final reports on the electoral wards and polling units delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency. According to them, they want to fully participate in the 2027 general elections. The protesters which comprised: women, youths and communities leaders stormed several flow stations as early as 5:00 am to halt oil production and vowed to occupy…

Oilwatch International has called for the immediate cleanup of oil-polluted communities across Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta. The demand was made during its 2026 stakeholders’ meeting titled “Reclaiming Ecological Integrity: A Frontline Community Partnership for Ecological Healing” held in Yenagoa. Oilwatch Coordinator, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said decades of environmental pollution had stripped many Niger Delta residents of their dignity and livelihoods. He said the initiative seeks to address the long-term impacts of pollution and restore affected communities’ connection with their environment. Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric and take deliberate steps toward environmental restoration across…

The ambience of the Niger Delta was recharged recently when Miss Tamunosoye Karibi-George won the Miss World Nigeria contest, and she will represent Nigeria in the Miss World later in the year. Tamunosoye the daughter of Mr. Karibi George, a respected public relations consultant and lawyer in Port Harcourt, Tamonusoye represented Bayelsa State, her mother’s state. Her emergence as Miss World Nigeria 2026 has sparked widespread celebrations and spirited debates on social media, particularly over questions surrounding her state identity and representation. The beauty queen, who was crowned on June 6, will represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2026 pageant…

The Southern Nigeria People’s Mandate (SNPM) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider any plans to seek re-election in 2027, citing what it described as worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and declining living standards under his administration. In a statement signed by its Chairman and Founder, Mr. Augustine Chukwudum, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Tinubu administration since it assumed office in May 2023, alleging that government policies had contributed to rising inflation and the increasing cost of living across the country. The organisation said many Nigerians were struggling to cope with soaring prices of food,…

Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) has identified pipeline expansion and effective gas distribution as critical to improving gas access and supporting industrial growth in Nigeria. According to a statement by Communications Manager, Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, SNG shared lessons from nearly three decades of gas distribution operations at an industry forum in Abuja. Speaking during a panel session, SNG Managing Director, Ralph Gbobo, said the company’s early investment in gas infrastructure was driven by confidence in Nigeria’s industrial future. Represented by Head of Gas Distribution, Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi, Gbobo noted that demand was initially low, but sustained commitment has delivered long-term benefits. He…