By David Owei, Yenagoa

Journalists in the Niger Delta have been urged to hold state governments of the region accountable with regards to the Ecological Funds.

Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Amaechi Okonkwo, made the call during a dinner party, as part of the activities of the 2026 Correspondents’ Week, which has its theme: “The Imperatives of Comprehensive Cleanup of the Niger Delta Environment: Role of the Media,” at the weekend.

Okonkwo stated that while the international oil companies (IOCs) have been blamed for the underdevelopment of the region, the state governments have also failed to intentionally utilize the 13% derivation funds and as well, the ecological funds to develop the region.

He said: “We need to also reflect on the activities of our governments, regional government or state government. Let us remember that at some point in trying to manage the problem with oil pollution and the environment, the federal government created what is called Ecological Fund.

“Ecological Fund is just like the excess crude, the 13% derivation and so many others that I may not remember. All of these were intended to, on paper, cater to the need of the environment, especially those areas where oil is extracted so that they will use the fund to ameliorate the negative effects of the exploration and pollution when it occurs.

“But in Rivers State we cannot identify over the years, any project that is tied to the ecological fund. So it is with many of the other states.

“And so, as journalists in our editorials, in our special programs, I think time has come for us to begin to demand that those target funds will no longer be blown away, but that they will begin to be tied to the purposes for which they are created,” he said.

Okonkwo also submitted that while there is significant progress with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), it is important for journalists to probe into the actual utilisation of such fund.

“Through the PIA there is the host community trust which is 3% of operational cost of oil companies This one is for the communities. Let us begin to ask questions.

“How is this fund managed among the communities that bear the brunt of oil exploration? he said.

Okonkwo demanded that lawmakers at both the National and State assemblies of oil producing and bearing communities in the region channel their constituency projects towards the protection and remediation of the environment.

“The primaries that have just taken place, so many people have come up as legislators and they will represent so many areas and communities inclusive of the ones that experience pollution.

“Let us begin to demand from them, what they do with their constituency funds. They can direct their constituency funds into ameliorating the issues of oil pollution in their immediate communities.

“Can they begin to demand for legislation that will demand responsible environmental practices by oil companies and even individuals in the community,” Okonkwo stressed.

He thanked the Chairman of the event, who is the executive director of Kabetkeche Women Development Centre, Dr. Okon Emem, Nigeria LNG, the NUJ leadership in Rivers State and all who contributed in making the week a success.

In her good will message, environmental activists, and Director at the Centre for Environment Media and Development Communications, Chief Constance Meju, commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for drawing attention to Niger Delta environment.

“I believe that the Correspondents’ Week looking at the Niger Delta, looking at oil and how we can clean up the Niger Delta is to begin to understand where we are, why we are where we are, and how we can move forward. Because if you don’t know what is your problem you can never solve it,” she said.

Meju accused Shell and other oil companies of failing to clean up the environment before divesting their assets. ”I want to tell you that there is no spill site in the region that Shell has cleaned correctly. I have been to K-Dere community in Ogoni and what was supposed to be a cleaned up area, you will still see oil, the one they have abandoned, you will still see oil,” she stated.

Meju stated that why the politics in the Niger Delta region is different, is because of oil.

Meju also expressed confidence in the press in Rivers State. “I want to believe that what I saw this week tells me that we have grown. Because the challenge of journalists is keeping truth alive,” she stated.

By David Owei, Yenagoa

A total of 425 National Diploma and Higher National Diploma graduates were on Saturday awarded certificates at the maiden combined convocation ceremony of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Douye Diri, at the ceremony, commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its consistent support towards the growth and development of tertiary education in the state, including the polytechnic.

According to Governor Diri, who is the Visitor to the institution, who described TETFund as a worthy partner in the educational advancement of the state, noting that the interventionist agency has remained instrumental in improving infrastructure and teaching facilities across state-owned higher institutions.

He said: “TETFund as an organ of the Federal Government has been part and parcel of the history of educational development in Bayelsa and indeed across Nigeria.

“The agency has proven to be very worthy partners of the Bayelsa State Government not only in this polytechnic but also in other higher institutions owned by the state. Through the zonal director, I send our goodwill to the Executive Secretary and the management for all they have been doing to improve teaching and learning in Bayelsa State.”

He stated that education remains the cardinal focus of his administration, stressing that it has deliberately shifted emphasis from white-collar education to technical and vocational training aimed at producing self-reliant graduates.

According to him, the establishment of science and technical colleges across the eight local government areas of the state was designed to feed institutions such as Bayelsa Polytechnic with technically skilled students.

“When we assumed office, the first thing on our minds was education, the second was education, and the third was education. That is why this government has prioritised technical and science education that equips our youths with practical skills to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.”

He said the government had established technical colleges across the state to prepare youths for careers in skilled labour, technology and entrepreneurship.

Governor Diri also highlighted the achievements recorded since the relocation of the institution to its permanent site, including accreditation of programmes, infrastructural expansion and improved academic standards.

He praised the management, lecturers and the host community for their resilience and commitment toward the growth of the institution.

The governor announced the approval of two Coaster buses for the institution and directed the Commissioner for Transport to ensure immediate procurement.

He also approved the fencing of the institution to enhance security and directed the Commissioner for Works to assess and report on the construction of internal roads and other infrastructure needs within the campus.

On electricity, he said the state government would extend power from the newly installed gas turbines to Sagbama through Aleibiri to Ekeremor rather than procure a diesel-powered generator for the institution.

The governor equally urged youths in the state to embrace technical education and skills acquisition programmes rather than depending on political patronage or white-collar jobs.

He charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution and Bayelsa State wherever they find themselves.

Earlier, Governor Diri commissioned the Entrepreneurship Skill Development Centre/Warehouse constructed by the state government as part of efforts to strengthen practical learning and innovation.

Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Wisdom Clinton Soreh, in his address, described the maiden convocation as a defining milestone in the institution’s history.

Dr. Soreh expressed gratitude to the state government for relentlessly supporting the growth and development of the institution.

He listed some of the achievements in the polytechnic, with the support of the state government,to include renovation and restructuring of academic buildings, construction of classrooms and offices, renovation of laboratories for Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Accountancy programmes as well as rehabilitation of the library.

Others were the establishment of a temporary skill acquisition centre, development of health service facilities, installation of solar-powered streetlights, water projects, and the provision of solar electricity for classrooms and offices.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, member representing Ekeremor constituency 1, Hon. Tare Porri, member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, and their Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency 1 colleague, Pamoh Werinipre.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah represented by the Permanent secretary Ministry of Education, as well as the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, traditional rulers, education stakeholders, members of the host community among others.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, polled 277,192 votes in the direct primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state.

Governor Douye Diri, who served as the state’s Coordinator/Collation Officer for the presidential primary, declared the results at the collation centre at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Governor Diri as saying that the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the state, from the presidential to the National Assembly and the House of Assembly primaries, showed a shift from the party’s “toxic” primaries previously in the state.

He stressed that no single individual could win an election without collective support, urging members to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general election.

His words: “As our party chairman already informed us, the party at the national level graciously asked me to be the returning officer and the chief collation officer.

“You have conducted yourselves so well. The exercise has been peaceful, calm, and in some areas more of a festive mood.

“To all those who contested and lost, you still have to be party men. I’m seeing a lot of them here, and that shows they are sportsmen. They belong to APC and they are going nowhere,” he said.

The Bayelsa helmsman stated that with the party’s unity and the strength of incumbency at both the state and federal levels, APC was well-positioned to dominate the elections.

“If all of these people here will go back to our wards, can’t we deliver? Can anybody beat us in Bayelsa State? It is a very big capital No.

“We have the human beings that know the strategies of elections. With our numerical strength and incumbency, it is game over in Bayelsa State,” he said.

Giving a breakdown of the results presented by the returning officers in each of the local government areas, he said Tinubu scored 39,454 in Brass, Ekeremor 45,949,
Kolokuma/Opokuma 22,593, and
Nembe 32,487.

The president also got 24,896 in Ogbia, Sagbama 46,283
Southern Ijaw 34,692 and
Yenagoa 30,834.

His only challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo, got only five votes from Yenagoa local government area.

Earlier, speaking to party faithful and supporters after the exercise in his Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area, the governor said the APC remained the only party offering hope to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He said while there were two contestants in the presidential primary, the president was the overwhelmingly preferred choice among party members due to his leadership record and national visibility.

Diri acknowledged the reforms undertaken by the current administration were painful but maintained that they were necessary as the country would ultimately be repositioned for long-term prosperity.

He also expressed confidence that the restructuring of Nigeria was possible under Tinubu, describing him as one of the few leaders with the experience, democratic credentials, and political will to transform the country.

According to him, restructuring remains critical to addressing the nation’s recurring ethnic, religious, and political challenges.

Citing Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle and his involvement in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the military era, he said the president was one of the best-qualified leaders to champion the restructuring agenda.

Collation of the results was observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, Isah Ehimeakhe, the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Eme Akpa, ‎as well as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Daniel Iyamah and service commanders

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), House of Representatives members, Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency) and Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw federal constituency) as well as the State APC Chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba

Also present were the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his counterpart in Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, among other party stalwarts, stakeholders and members.