General News
SSDC delivers relief materials to Bille, pledges lasting support
Darlington Sokari
The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has delivered humanitarian relief materials to residents of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, following persistent gas seepage and methane emissions that have contaminated underground water sources, rivers and local wells.
The intervention, initiated by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, was aimed at cushioning the hardship faced by residents, whose livelihoods and daily activities had been disrupted by the environmental crisis
The Commission’s Executive Director, Social Services and Human Capital Development, Engr. Preye Aganaba, led the delegation to the affected communities on behalf of the managing director.
Ms Akpabio said the SSDC would not abandon the affected community, assuring residents that their recovery remained a priority.
She described Bille as an important economic hub in Rivers State and the South-South region, warning that the environmental crisis had consequences beyond damage to property.
According to her, the persistent gas seepage has disrupted businesses, threatened food security, displaced families and deprived residents of their sources of livelihood.
She said the situation underscored the importance of the SSDC’s mandate to address the developmental and humanitarian challenges confronting communities across the South-South region.
Akpabio disclosed that the commission provided 86 categories of food and non-food relief materials, including rice, beans, garri, noodles, groundnut oil, palm oil, mattresses, mats, wrappers, mosquito nets, buckets, sanitary pads and baby diapers.
She said the intervention was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the commission to provide succour to vulnerable communities and accelerate development across the six South-South states.
Conveying SDDC’s assurances, Akpabio said: “The plight of the people of Bille is of great concern to the Commission. Their recovery remains a priority, and we want to assure them that they will not be overlooked in our developmental agenda.”
She added that the SSDC’s intervention was designed to complement the efforts of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency.
She pledged to sustain the commission’s commitment to environmental protection, disaster resilience, sustainable infrastructure and livelihood improvement across the region.
Other members of the delegation are Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Obiuwevbi, Programme Lead; Mr. Nemfort Amos, Head of Legal Department; Mr. Imeh Imeh Udoabah, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics; Dr. Martins I. Imhanlahimi,Technical Assistant to the ED, SSHCD; Dr. Chidi Ogundu, Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for Bayelsa and Rivers States, and CSP Chijioke Anthony, Divisional Police Officer, Degema Division.
Speaking on behalf of the Bille Council of Chiefs, its Chairman, Chief Bennett Okpoke, thanked the SSDC for responding to the community’s plight but called for urgent government intervention to address the root cause of the crisis.
Okpoke said residents had endured persistent gas and methane seepage for a considerable period, with devastating consequences for their water sources, livelihoods and daily activities.
He appealed to the Federal and Rivers State Governments, as well as relevant environmental and regulatory agencies, to urgently provide a lasting solution to the pollution threatening the health and economic survival of the people.
He described the SSDC’s visit as a demonstration of solidarity and genuine concern for the community at a difficult time.
Also speaking, the Head of NEMA for Bayelsa and Rivers States, Dr. Chidi Ogundu, said the agency had contacted the SSDC over the environmental emergency and expressed appreciation for the Commission’s swift response.
Ogundu disclosed that an Environmental Impact Assessment had been conducted to establish the extent of the damage and its implications for residents, adding that the findings indicated significant adverse effects on the community.
He described the crisis as a collective responsibility, stressing that the affected residents needed urgent and coordinated assistance.
He said: “An injury to one is an injury to all,” while commending the SSDC for providing relief materials to cushion the effects of the emergency.
Ogundu further disclosed that NEMA’s technical team had commenced efforts to address the community’s potable water challenges, particularly the contamination of water sources caused by the gas seepage.
He said the intervention was necessary to prevent further exposure of residents to potential health hazards.
The relief materials, provided by the SSDC on behalf of its Managing Director, Board Chairman and management, were formally handed over to the Bille community through NEMA.
The delegation was received by the Council of Chiefs of His Royal Majesty, King Igbikingeri Ngowari Cornelius Herbert, Agbaniye-Jike XVIII.
The visit reinforces the SSDC’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and addressing environmental and developmental challenges across the South-South region.
General News
Gov Lawal welcomes 2026 batch C stream 11 corps members to Zamfara
Abu Umar
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has welcomed the 2026 Batch âCâ Stream II corps members, urging them to embrace the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
The Governor gave the charge on Friday, through the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Kashimu Sani Kaura at the swearing-in ceremony held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, UBEC Training Centre, Gusau.
Governor Lawal congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic programmes and for being enlisted into the NYSC programme.
He urged them to regard Zamfara as their second home and approach the national assignments with a determination to make positive contributions on the lives of the people in their host communities.
“Take time to understand our people, appreciate our culture and share positive stories about the State. Let your conduct, contributions and experiences reflect the hospitality and progress of Zamfara,” the governor added.
The Governor also encouraged the corps members to uphold the core values of discipline, integrity, teamwork, patriotism, tolerance, respect and selfless service.
Governor Lawal further assured the NYSC management of the state government’s continued support and cooperation towards the success of the scheme.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mallam Muhammad Lawan Ahmad, had disclosed that the Orientation Course was designed to prepare the rest of service year through lectures on national values, security awareness, leadership, citizenship, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition, as well as sporting activities and drills.
He encouraged the corps members to participate actively in all camp activities, noting that the knowledge, discipline and skills acquired during the three-week exercise would prepare them adequately for their service year and beyond.
The highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the Oath of Allegiance and National Pledge to over 800 corps members by the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, who was represented by a Chief Magistrate in the State Judiciary, Nuradeen Sa’adu Barnawa.
The special NYSC Man O’ Squad also displayed team building exercise to the delight of guests and corps members.
General News
2027: Keyamo takes Tinubu aviation revolution to Nigerians
Our Reporter
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has stepped up efforts to bring the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubuâs administration into the national conversation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the launch of a television campaign series showcasing developments in Nigeriaâs aviation sector.
Tagged Tinubu Aviation Revolution Series, the initiative uses short television presentations to highlight the administrationâs aviation policies, infrastructure development and efforts to reposition the industry as a driver of economic growth.
Keyamo announced the initiative through his social media platforms following his appointment as Director of Air Transport Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The series, which commenced broadcasting on major television stations on November 1, is expected to run until shortly before the presidential election.
The choice of aviation as a major component of the administrationâs performance narrative reflects the sectorâs strategic importance to national development. Beyond airports and aircraft, aviation facilitates international trade, tourism, investment, employment and economic connectivity.
Under the Tinubu administration, the aviation sector has been pursuing reforms and infrastructure upgrades covering airport facilities, safety oversight, aircraft financing and international connectivity.
The ongoing rehabilitation and modernisation of airport infrastructure, alongside initiatives to strengthen operational efficiency, form part of the developments being presented to the public.
Keyamoâs campaign initiative also introduces a sector-specific approach to political communication, allowing Nigerians to assess the administrationâs record through developments in an industry with direct implications for business, travel and national competitiveness.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, the aviation ministerâs message places an important question before the electorate: how should the performance of an administration be measured, and what weight should its achievements in critical sectors carry in determining the countryâs next political direction?
Ultimately, the administrationâs record, the challenges that remain and its plans for the future will form part of the national conversation as Nigerians prepare to make their choice at the ballot.
General News
Delta govt condemns political violence in Asaba, orders investigation
Our Reporter
The Delta State Government has condemned the political violence that erupted in Asaba, the state capital, on Saturday, leaving one person dead and four others seriously injured.
The government described the incident as unacceptable, warning political parties and their supporters against actions capable of threatening public peace and security.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the government reiterated its zero tolerance for political violence, intimidation and other forms of political rascality.
Aniagwu said the government had repeatedly cautioned political parties against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace, stressing that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the organisers had heeded security advice.
He explained that the police had advised the organisers to shelve the proposed street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
The government expressed concern that the advice was ignored, resulting in a confrontation that claimed a life and left several others injured.
It called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that everyone found responsible is brought to justice.
Aniagwu further warned that the state government would no longer tolerate politically motivated attacks against any individual, irrespective of party affiliation.
He stressed that Delta remained a safe place for residents and visitors, adding that the government would not allow the actions of individuals or groups to undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
The government urged political parties, their leaders and supporters to conduct their activities within the bounds of the law and demonstrate respect for human life, public order and the rights of other citizens.
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