By David Owei

The Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group (NIDDEMOG) has condemned former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke’s description of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri as a “local champion,” demanding a retraction of the remark and an apology to the Bayelsa governor.

The group’s Team Lead, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, described the comment as unfair and disappointing, arguing that personal attacks and derogatory language would not advance the development of the Niger Delta.

Chief Nengi James, who spoke against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, said Duke, having governed a state in the region and served in regional development initiatives, should be more concerned about the challenges confronting coastal communities than engaging in verbal exchanges with a fellow governor.

He said the proposed coastal road addressed a longstanding infrastructure need in the Niger Delta and should not be dismissed on political grounds, insisting that the region deserved major investments in roads and bridges because of its contribution to Nigeria’s oil revenue.

According to him, the coastal road concept is not new to the region, having featured in earlier regional development plans and demands by traditional rulers in Bayelsa State.

“Coastal road development was part of the initiative adopted under the Niger Delta Regional Plan. It is not new to Bayelsa State or the Niger Delta,” he said.

Chief Nengi James recalled that in 1998 or 1999, when representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company visited Bayelsa State to ask traditional rulers what development project they wanted, the monarchs collectively requested a coastal ring road.

He said the proposal had remained relevant because of the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta, where communities are separated by rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and extensive wetlands.

The NIDDEMOG leader maintained that the region needed a network of roads and bridges capable of connecting its coastal communities, improving access to markets and public services, and opening up areas that had remained difficult to reach.

He cited road projects linking parts of the Niger Delta to the Atlantic coastline, including routes around Agge and Brass in Bayelsa State, as evidence that road infrastructure could be developed in challenging coastal environments.

He also referred to road and bridge connections in the Bonny and Opobo axis of Rivers State, arguing that the region’s terrain should not be used as a reason to discount the feasibility of further infrastructure development.

Chief Nengi James said the federal government should also address the poor state of existing roads, particularly the East-West Road, while pursuing new projects such as the coastal highway.

“We are not against the coastal road. I am one of those who advocated for it even before the Federal Government proposed the project. What we are saying is that the East-West Road and other failing roads in the region must also receive the attention they deserve,” he said.

He argued that even if the coastal road had political considerations, its potential benefits to the people should remain the priority.

“If a project is proposed to connect communities across the coastal states, we should look at what it will deliver to the people. Even if it is politically motivated, it is the people of the Niger Delta who need the road, including those criticising it. He is acting as an EDUCATED ILITERATE for not understanding the region’s terrain and development needs and challenges” he said.

The NIDDEMOG leader questioned Duke’s choice of words against Diri, saying the Bayelsa governor had a longstanding connection with the Niger Delta’s development struggles and understood the challenges of its riverine and coastal communities.

He also cited road construction in Bayelsa, including routes towards the Atlantic coastline, as evidence that infrastructure development in difficult terrain was possible.

According to him, the Niger Delta’s development challenges require experience and visionary leaders like Senator Diri in public office to engage in constructive discussions on infrastructure, coastal erosion, ocean encroachment and the economic difficulties facing their people.

Chief Nengi James urged Duke to retract the “local champion” remark and apologise to Diri, while calling on both leaders to avoid personal attacks and focus on issues affecting the region.

“We are the same Niger Delta people. The development of the region should be the overall interests of our leaders. The future of the Niger Delta can be brighter if our leaders focus on development rather than exchanging insults,” he said.

He added that the proposed coastal road should be implemented in a manner that ensures participating states benefit fairly from the project, stressing that communities in the oil-producing region deserved infrastructure commensurate with their contribution to the national economy.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has rewarded the student -players and coaches of Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt, with the sum of N50 million for making the State proud during their recent football tour of the United Kingdom.

Governor Fubara announced the reward on Friday while receiving the management and students of the Football Academy at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Governor commended the team for their discipline and exemplary conduct throughout the tour, noting that despite the challenges encountered on the trip, they returned victorious without any case of misconduct or embarrassment to the State.

He said the Academy, initiated by his predecessor, was designed to groom young talents for whom football could become a lucrative full-time career, stressing that the football economy is even bigger than many conventional corporate organisations.

Fubara said the purpose of sponsoring the UK tour was to expose the students to football at the international level, and expressed delight that some of them were already attracting the attention of foreign football clubs who have reportedly started poaching them for greater opportunities abroad.

While emphasizing that intelligence without character amounts to nothing, the Governor said his administration is not only committed to building their football skills but also moulding their character to become responsible citizens and the pride of Rivers State.

He assured that the State Government will address the complaints of poor facilities, insufficient accommodation and all other challenges confronting the Academy, to ensure they study and conduct their trainings in a conducive environment

Governor Fubara also thanked the local and foreign consultants who led the tour for their efforts, and charged the students to take their academics seriously alongside their football career.

He noted that for many of the students who had never travelled beyond Port Harcourt Local Government Area, the UK tour was a life-changing exposure, making them true ambassadors of Rivers State.
“What we just did here is to give you the opportunity to see what is in football beyond the walls of Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt. It is meant for you to see football at the international level.
“You have made us very proud. On our own part, we will ensure that we give you every support needed for you to excel. I am really proud of you all, not just because of the trophy that you won but your conduct throughout the tour,” Governor Fubara said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma lauded the Governor for sponsoring the tour, describing it as historic and a pacesetter in the country.

Earlier, the Principal of Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt, Dr (Mrs) Prudence Isaac -Harry, had expressed profound appreciation to Governor Fubara for his vision and “unparalleled magnanimity” in sponsoring the 61 students -athletes and 12 officials on the football tour to the United Kingdom.

The Principal noted that the trip provided the students with their very first taste of international football exposure. According to her, the students did not just participate in soccer duels but displayed tremendous skills that left a great impression on the entire community of Southampton, London.

“We were given a silver trophy for our students’ performances. Thank you Sir, for showcasing Rivers State’s raw talents to the global stage. This landmark trip has successfully opened windows for further international tournaments, as several top-tier clubs are already extending invitations to the Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt,” Isaac- Harry said.
She pledged that the management and students of the Real Madrid Football Academy will continue to bring honour and glory to Rivers State to justify the massive investment the State Government has made on the soccer academy.

By David Owei

The Media Director of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) in Bayelsa State, Engr Udengs Eradiri, has launched a scathing attack on former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, over his remarks on the challenges posed by the Niger Delta’s terrain to development, accusing him of displaying ignorance and playing politics with the region’s future.

Eradiri, who described Duke’s position as reckless and misleading, said the former governor lacked an adequate understanding of the Niger Delta’s geographical realities and had failed to appreciate how engineering, political will and sustained investment could overcome the region’s environmental challenges.

The former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide cited the coastal road project being undertaken by the Tinubu administration as evidence of the President’s determination to confront difficult infrastructure challenges.

According to him, some sections of the coastal road pass through challenging terrain, particularly along the Lekki-Epe axis, saying he had participated in the initial clearing and sand-filling process of the ongoing project.

“All over the world, engineering backed with serious governance has conquered terrains worse than the ones in the Niger Delta to build critical infrastructure. We cannot see why the Niger Delta case should be different,” he said.

Eradiri contrasted Duke’s position with what he described as Tinubu’s willingness to undertake ambitious infrastructure projects, arguing that political will was essential to unlocking the Niger Delta’s economic potential.

He cited the road connection to Bonny Island and the coastal road project as examples of the administration’s determination to pursue infrastructure development despite geographical challenges.

“How did Tinubu complete a road to Bonny? He did it because of political will. How is Tinubu building the coastal road? He is doing it because he has the political will; the will that the likes of Donald Duke do not have, yet they want people to vote for them,” Eradiri said.

He added: “Tinubu has demonstrated the political will to do the most difficult things that others shy away from. These are the things required to lay a solid foundation for the development and prosperity of this country.”

The Bayelsa TSG media director described Tinubu as a leader who viewed difficult terrain as an engineering and governance challenge that could be overcome, rather than a permanent barrier to development.

He maintained that the President’s approach to infrastructure development distinguished him from political leaders who, according to him, continued to emphasise the Niger Delta’s geographical difficulties without offering practical solutions.

Eradiri said the region needed leaders capable of mobilising resources, deploying modern engineering and sustaining infrastructure investments to connect rural communities, improve economic activities and expand access to markets.

He insisted that the Niger Delta’s development prospects should not be limited by its riverine geography, arguing that sustained political commitment and strategic infrastructure investments could transform the region into a major economic corridor.

Citing an example, he argued that developments in Bayelsa State, particularly ongoing road projects linking previously inaccessible communities, had demonstrated that the region’s difficult terrain was not an insurmountable barrier to infrastructure development.

The TSG Media director attributed the ongoing infrastructure projects in Bayelsa to increased revenue allocations to states under President Bola Tinubu’s administration following the removal of fuel subsidy, as well as the Federal Government’s interventions in critical road projects.

Taking exception to Duke’s comments, Eradiri said: “I want to state categorically that the former Governor Donald Duke lacks understanding about the terrain in the Niger Delta.

“It is obvious that while sitting as the governor of one of the Niger Delta states, Donald Duke failed to relate properly with his colleagues to this point where he went on national television to embarrass himself about how his colleagues were tackling the terrain to develop their states.”

He said a visit to Bayelsa would have given Duke a clearer understanding of the progress being made in the state, insisting that the riverine and swampy geography of the Niger Delta should not be used to justify the region’s infrastructure deficits.

“Bayelsa and Niger Delta Terrain Is Developable”, Eradiri said citing ongoing road construction towards Brass and Agge, as well as improved access beyond Ekeremor, as evidence that Bayelsa’s difficult terrain could be conquered through deliberate government action.

“Bayelsa State can be developed. Right now, if you see what is happening in the state as a result of the increase in allocations to states under President Bola Tinubu’s government because of his courage to remove fuel subsidy, you will understand that the terrain is not an excuse for underdevelopment,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government had intervened in efforts to extend road infrastructure to Brass, while another road project was ongoing towards Agge.

According to him, the Bayelsa projects demonstrate that the Niger Delta’s geographical challenges can be addressed through strategic planning, adequate funding and the political will to execute difficult infrastructure projects.

Eradiri accused Duke of attempting to exploit the region’s development challenges for political purposes, arguing that his comments could undermine public confidence in the possibility of transforming the Niger Delta.

“Duke is trying to whip up sentiment against President Tinubu to deceive voters, but unfortunately for him, the voters know better,” he said.

The former governorship candidate in Bayelsa further expressed displeasure that a former governor from the Niger Delta would portray the region’s terrain as an obstacle to development, particularly at a time when political leaders were seeking public support.

“Duke’s statement has rather earned him outrage in the Niger Delta because various stakeholders do not understand why a leader should be demarketing the development of his area because of his selfish, unrealistic presidential ambition,” he added.

To buttress his argument, Eradiri referenced infrastructure development in other parts of the world, including Vietnam and California, where governments and engineers have constructed critical infrastructure across challenging geographical landscapes.

He said his personal experience in Vietnam had exposed him to the possibilities of transforming riverine and swampy environments through engineering and purposeful leadership.

“I have been to Vietnam, and I have seen how leaders have transformed their riverine and swampy terrains. If it can be done in Vietnam, California and other difficult terrains, why should a leader from the Niger Delta seeking votes to become president say it cannot be done in the Niger Delta?” he asked.

Eradiri maintained that modern engineering solutions, backed by effective governance, had made it possible to construct roads and other infrastructure in locations once considered difficult to access.

He argued that the Niger Delta should not be treated differently, insisting that the region’s geography required innovative engineering rather than political excuses.