By David Owei, Bayelsa

Across Africa, in the pantheon of Pan-African heroes, the story of liberation is never written in ink but in courage. Nelson Mandela’s steadfast walk, Kwame Nkrumah’s clarion call for independence, Patrice Lumumba’s fearless truth in the Congo, Aline Sitoé Diatta’s resistance in Senegal; there stand sons and daughters who shape not just their borderlines but the soul of their people. So does the struggle of the Niger Delta remember Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha: more than a governor, he was an idea incarnate, a Pan-Niger Deltan, a proud voice of the Ijaw Nation, and a man who turned the pain of his people into a movement.

Alamieyeseigha

Ten years have passed since his voice fell silent, yet the creeks still echo his convictions. Alamieyeseigha arrived on the stage of governance not as a politician in the usual sense. He was Governor-General, not merely because the title suited him, but because he earned it in sacrifice, in vision, in love for the creek-born child who dreams. He was a storm against silence, and a shield for the oppressed.
As the Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) reflects, “Alamieyeseigha may have spoken the tongue of the Ijaw, but the soul of his message was multilingual. Ibibio heard him. Efik heard him. Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ogoni heard him. He spoke the language of justice, dignity, and self-determination, and everyone even beyond Niger Delta, understood.” From Niger Delta’s creeks, he lifted the shout of resource control, of equity, of an Ijaw people who would no longer wait for crumbs. And under his watch, Bayelsa found its pulse. The Niger Delta University rose as a lighthouse of learning. Roads crawled out of the mangroves. Youth who hungered for purpose were empowered. And he awakened culture where shame had taken root.
For the NDPA, his life remains a compass for a region at a crossroads. “The time for sentimental remembrance is over,” the Alliance declared. “We must now embrace an ideological rebirth, one that shifts our energy from protest to purpose, from grievance to governance, from rhetoric to results.”
With Alamieyeseigha, unity never frayed under self-interest. As leader, he never forgot that true power is not the paltry sum of offices, but integrity in the storm and compassion in scarcity. The words of NDPA echo not in the silence of what was lost, but in the cadence of what can still be forged: a Niger Delta united by purpose and vision.
If the Niger Delta is to build its future on bedrock and not on shifting sand, we must reclaim Alamieyeseigha’s ideals: resource justice, collective purpose, courage over ease. Youth must rise not just with demands, but with strategy; traditional rulers not just bearing heritage, but catalysing renewal; political actors not just seeking votes, but building pathways of schools, roads, and culture that endure.
“Let remembrance not be a flower laid at his grave but a seed planted for the future. Let the creeks sing again with enterprise, education, and equity. Let this anniversary be the blueprint for the next chapter of our destiny.” Amb. Nse of NDPA urged. Remembrance should neither drown in nostalgia, nor be an echo of what was, but a drumbeat for what must be. The silence today is louder than Delta’s waters and his voice may have remained his alone these 10 years; retired, sacred in its silence, but the future is birthing voices of equal heart and unshakable resolve. They will walk the shores of our creeks and carry the title of Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation.
NDPA’s confidence lies in the truth that the Governor-General of the Ijaw Nation may rest beneath the soil he served, yet his ideals still rise with the tide. Every ripple on the creek carries his name. and history does not forget such men. It simply waits for others brave enough to continue their paragraph. So, may his legacy guide us. May his footsteps illuminate every creek, every mangrove, every child who looks past the horizon and sees a Niger Delta free, unified, just.

By Our Correspondent

It was jubilation galore at Apostolic church, Umutukulu, Nnachioma Umuariam Obowo community, Obowo local Government Area, Imo state, as the oldest man of the community, Ichie Nathaniel Anyanwu, aged 132, was conferred with a chieftaincy title of “Ugwunna 1 of Nnachioma,” and celebrated to have attained such a unique longevity age.

The event attracted prominent individuals, captains of industries, politicians, titled men and women, youths and stakeholders, as well as friends and well wishers, all thronged the venue of the occasion mostly to have a glimpse of the oldest man and his blessing to enable them attain such unique longevity.

At the occasion, Ichie Anyanwu was presented with the required traditional regalia and offor, (staff of office), as a full fledged title holder by the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Augustine Adiele.

The traditional ruler who was ably represented by the prime minister, Chief Edwin Ibeawuchi Obio, was flanked by chairman of Aladimma Umuariam, President General, PG, and chairman of all the chairmen of the four wards of Nnachioma Umuariam, High Chief Akujuobi Omenugwa, and other title holders present.

Speaking on the honour done to Chief Anyanwu, High Chief Omenugwa, said the beneficiary, Anyanwu, remains the oldest in both Nnachioma and the entire Umuariam communities.

“We are not talking about his age because when you look at him, he looks younger than his age, due to how God created him, giving him strength right from birth, he disassociated himself from all evils which helps to prolong his life.

Our community was in crisis for about six years to seven years which prompted our traditional ruler, HRH. Igwe Augustine Adiele JP, to sanction us, (the four wards) as autonomous communities that include, Umuogbede, where the oldest man hails from, Amorji, the head of the four wards, Umutukulu and Umuatonti, being the last of the wards in Nnachioma, to be autonomous to avoid continuation of crisis.

“After my installation, I pleaded to my people both titled men and the Stakeholders that we get to the Monarch and plead for restoration of peace in the four wards of Nnachioma, which we did and the monarch nodded and peace returned and we became one United Community again.

“The next step was to look for the oldest man within us and honour him to bless us and that was how Anyanwu was picked as the oldest when a panel of enquiry was set up to fish out the oldest man and today we have honoured him and received his blessings. You can see people from all walks of life present to have a glimpse of him and receive his blessings for longevity.

“The oldest man was capped and installed by the prime minister on behalf of our monarch as our monarch was not within reach as at the time of this honour. He gave the prime minister, chairman Aladimma, Umuariam, President general and myself the go ahead to cap the oldest man on his behalf, with other tittled men who were present.

“By virtue of his age, he has been exempted from all manners of communal levies /taxes, labour, among others, as his duty for now is to pray for our progress and protection. Visitors or non-indigenes into our community will be first presented to him and receive his blessings prior to embarking on their mission.

“We shall recall that the oldest man, Anyanwu, was the person that capped the Monarch when he was enthroned as the monarch of the community. If he dies after his stay on earth it is we, the people of this community that we together accord him a befitting burial ceremony. This honour accorded him will be a continuous exercise that if eventually he joins his ancestors we look for a successor as part of moving the community forward.

“Prior to his installation, a panel of enquiry was set up to investigate him to know if he is worthy to be so honoured and the report from the panel was that he was more than fit to be accorded the honor as he has no blemishes or skeleton in his cupboard.

In his contribution, the prime minister of Umuariam autonomous community ancient kingdom, Chief Edwin Ibeawuchi Obio said, “I have not seen this kind of celebration since I was born, we honoured the oldest man in Umuariam today.

“Our greatest problem now is gulley erosion that has cut us off from our brothers and we plead to the three tiers of government to come to our rescue,” he pleaded.

In his post installation speech, Ichie Anyanwu commended all and sundry for being in attendance and finding him worthy to be so honoured and prayed God to give them longevity, fertility and progress in their various fields of endeavor as he has done to him adding that to attain 132 years on earth was marvelous in his eyes and attributed it to living a faithful, loving and peaceful life devoid of much quest for earthly wealth.

Engr. Iyke Ogugua, President General, PG, Umuariam ancient kingdom. said it was a maiden and unprecedented occasion in Nnachioma, disclosing that the new leadership brainstormed on finding out the oldest person in Nnachioma, and discovered it was Ichie Nathaniel Anyanwu, and that was the honour that was accorded and celebrated, even as he prayed for more years on the beneficiary, Anyanwu.

He advised the youths to involve themselves in meaningful projects and eschew cultism and other vices to live a blessed life like Anyanwu who was into wine tapping business in his hay days and for them to make heaven.

He lamented that road to Anyanwu’s house has been cut off by gulley erosion which prevented him from attending church service especially on Sundays and pleaded to the three tiers of government to come to the rescue of the Community.

An Onitsha based medical doctor, Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Nwacha, (a.k.a. Mayor), expressed satisfaction with the honour accorded to Chief Anyanwu adding that for one to attain such longevity means that God loves him.

“For him to have attained 121 years means God loves him and my prayer is that we will all attain such age and above with good health like Chief Anyanwu who even looks younger than his age,” Dr Nwacha prayed.

Mr. Ihemadu Anthony, chairman of Nnachioma, Aba branch, said that, “We are here to represent Aba branch on this occasion and I pray God to also prolong our lives like he has done to Anyanwu. The legacies he will keep behind include, truthfulness, love and peace,” h stated.

Earlier in his contribution, one of the grand sons to the beneficiary, Uzoma Anyanwu, disclosed that his grand father was a palmwine tapper and singer who sings (Abigbo), during public functions.

“He advised me that to live a worthy and prolong life that I should have God first in all my endeavors and avoid being involve in criminal activities that include, killings, and forceful possession of one’s belongings like piece of land, extra marrital affairs, among others as such People that indulge on them never progress in life.

“My grandmother is about 136 years as at last year I checked on him and to live longer life, we barred him from alcohol, snuff and other harmful food consumption.

“After his stay on earth his burial ceremony will be more than what happened during this his conferment and honour as the oldest man, because we will accord him a befitting burial ceremony. He told me that I will be the one to procure the cow to be slaughtered for his burial as first son to his son and that all first sons should be present.

“I pray God to give him more days, he warned me that even if my father is not present during his burial that I must be present no matter how engage I may be during his burial,day” Uzoma further revealed.

Contributing, the last born of the children of Anyanwu’s, High Chief Ogwumba Raymond Anyanwu, corraborated the view of the grandson that Chief Anyanwu was a singer and member of the Abigbo.

“My father when he was sick I nursed him up to when he had surgery and I can recall that his laboratory results showed he was 100 per cent free from all diseases and free to consume what ever he wants without fear of being sick.

“He worships God in truth and practice, a revered man of God who is currently 121 years of age but still very sound in speech and thought. God gives longevity to us, Umuariam, all his mates have died.

“He made me to understand that once your hands are clean that you should have longevity, we are happy with him, he is living a legacy worthy of emulation,” the last child disclosed further.

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has berated the ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, noting that the development is a censorship and threat to the right to free expression.

In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, Soyinka condemned the action, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.

Eedris Abdulkareem

Eedris Abdulkareem

Recall that the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, had last week banned media houses from playing Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song.

The song, titled ‘Tell Your Papa,’ is a criticism of this current administration. In it, he directed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to speak to his father about the worsening state of the country.

In Tell Your Papa, Abdulkareem sings, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. Travel destinations

“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he continues singing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The NBC’s circular to media Houses preventing them from playing the song reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3. 1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Travel destinations

“The Commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.

“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding these standards are greatly appreciated.”

However, Soyinka wrote, “Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem.”

He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer,” the playwright stated in a piece posted on PM news.

While admitting he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.

“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.

He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.

“The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.

The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.

“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka noted.

1. He warned that it creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.

He went on to condemn broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, citing the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.

“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatized survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.

He also referenced the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticized the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”

He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”

Soyinka urged the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”