By David Owei,Bayelsa

A Niger Delta Youth Leader, Mr. Douye Karikarisei has described the sterling performance of the Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the region as a true reflection of the President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda. Mr Douye Karikarisei said among the intervention agencies and MDAs set up by the Federal Government, the present NDDC has emerged the most effective with Renewed Hope Agenda interpreted through visible projects, infrastructures, empowerment and giving the people in communities across the region a sense of belonging.

Mr. Douye Karikarisei, who made this known at the weekend in Port Harcourt, while felicitating with the Managing Director of the NDDC, Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as he marks 50 years of age on Tuesday 19th August 2025, said the unparallel and distinguished performance of the Dr. Ogbuku led commission in the region has made it easier for the President to prevail across the region in the forthcoming 2027 Presidential elections.

Karikarisei commended the Ogbuku led NDDC for the recent commissioning of projects and infrastructure across the different states of the region, including the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, constructed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, “The road, with seven bridges and 50 culverts, connects 14 communities in Bayelsa State.”

The NDDC also commissioned the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as well as the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. In the area of electricity, the NDDC commissioned the 45-km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State, “This electrification project supplies light to the 25 local governments that have been in darkness for over 15 years.”

“The Dr. Ogbuku led commission also inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State.” “As part of the “Light-Up-Niger Delta” strategy, the commission has displayed a high sense of inclusion by mobilising youths, community leaders and Women groups to participate in the allocation of solar lights projects across their various communities.”

“Thousands of youths from the region are being trained in Nigeria and in prestigious institutions around the world by the Dr. Ogbuku led commission to acquire the technological know-how for the future development of the region and country. Also, several empowerment programmes are frequently rolled out to empower both the youths and the elderly across the region.”

“For the first time in the history of the Niger Delta region, solar lights have powered thousands of streets and roads that were once in darkness and had claimed hundreds of innocent lives through deadly accidents. Dr. Ogbuku’s visionary leadership has renewed the hope of millions of people across the region,” the statement reads.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Provisionary Committee of the Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has issued a disclaimer regarding a purported national orientation exercise scheduled for September 1-7, 2025, at the Search and Rescue Ship Base Command in Anambra State.

The exercise is allegedly being organized by individuals claiming to be Nigerian Coast Guard personnel, but the PC-NCG asserts that they are ravenous impostors on a mission to defraud unsuspecting followers and the public.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of PC-NCG, Capt. Ichaba described the group behind the planned national orientation exercise as illegal and fraudulent, warning that any individual or group found impersonating the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

According to Capt. Ichaba, nine suspects were recently arrested in Akwa Ibom State for claiming to be operatives of the Proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, informing that impersonation of Nigerian Coast Guard could have serious legal consequences.

He said the PC-NCG remains the only authentic unified body facilitating the process for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard by providing useful information that helps relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy and other critical stakeholders in the maritime sector, in making proper decision and drafting suitable legislation.

“Our committee is working towards establishing a robust Nigerian Coast Guard that would work in tandem with existing maritime security agencies to secure the country’s waterways. The federal government is yet to establish Nigerian Coast Guard as the bill is before the 10th National Assembly for passage.

“Also, the Federal Government has not appointed a Chief of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard and has not yet assigned any Rear Admiral to superintend over the daily administrative affairs of the incoming maritime security agency,” Capt. Ichaba reiterated.

He therefore cautioned persons exploiting the name, ‘Nigerian Coast Guard’ for illicit activities anywhere in the country and on our waterways to stop or be prepared to face the full weight of the law, referencing illegalities associated with a group bearing “Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force”, warning that the PC-NCG will not tolerate any group using the Nigerian Coast Guard’s name for unauthorized activities.

“I’m pleased that additional measures are already being taking to curb their illicit operations across the country, based on more disheartening discoveries that these feral wolves in sheep’s clothing have continued in their dishonest games despite these efforts. In contrast, the PC-NCG embodies inclusivity, teamwork, and a commitment to serving the nation with integrity, selflessness, and patriotism.

“Our initiative began with a genuine and patriotic intent, without displacing any group or individual. We have remained focused on our core objective, operating with transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law. An assertion that can be confirmed from relevant security agencies.

As a matter of averting escalated damage, “all identity cards and documents bearing the name ‘Nigerian Coast Guard’ that were not issued by the PC-NCG facilitation team should be returned to the issuer or handed over to the nearest police station. Specifically, individuals who were deceived into believing they are now Soldiers by being part of the Nigerian Coast Guard through false recruitment, should return their ID cards or documents to the issuer, the nearest police station, or PC-NCG headquarters.

The above directive is of all time necessary considering the fact that PC-NCG has been vetted by appropriate authorities that found us national interest friendly. The same people who stood against PC-NCG with the aim of using lawsuits to stop the creation of Nigerian Coast Guard should not be allowed to use the same Nigerian Coast Guard name for stealthy purpose.

“The PC-NCG is well-positioned to provide insights and adapt to necessary adjustments, ensuring a smooth facilitation process. We’re committed to responding to inquiries from stakeholders, supporters, and potential collaborators. Though we had encountered challenges, particularly from individuals associated with the Nigerian Merchant Navy Groups, deemed illegal by law enforcement and the courts, we have remained focused on our objectives.

“PC-NCG is serving as a reliable Facilitation Team for the smooth take-off of the Nigerian Coast Guard upon its establishment. In the alternative, PC-NCG has readily prepared necessary grounds to effectively carry out the directives of the decision-makers in the event of being charged with the day-to-day management of the proposed maritime security agency.

“PC-NCG appeals to relevant authorities and the public to be vigilant and assist in halting any form of aiding, abetting and promoting illegalities in the name of Nigerian Coast Guard as currently being done by the dishonourable persons in some parts of the country.

“When established, the Nigerian Coast Guard is expected to unlock significant economic potential in sectors like blue tourism, hospitality, and marine services, promote environmental sustainability and conservation, address maritime security challenges, such as piracy, smuggling, and environmental degradation,” Capt. Ichaba explained.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke has again reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustain security services through the budgetary process, declaring “under my watch, we don’t operate security votes in the sense Nigerians understand it”

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor said Osun has no slush fund which many Nigerians regard as ‘security votes’, noting that our expenditure on security services are undertaken within the confines of the public finance law and regulations.

He listed such security expenditures as operational support for security agencies operating in the state, ; funding of operations to quell communal crises; support for communal peace activities and funding of the state security outfit, Amotekun among others.

Such expenditures, the Governor posited further, are processed within the context of statutory approval process which involves raising of memos and compliance with government payment process.

“I am proud to declare that the Osun state government under my watch does not operate a slush fund that our media friends call security votes. Our security needs are met through the approval process. I face resistance over the policy but I stick to it even at great cost.

“My motivation for insisting on the policy was the situation I met on the ground in November 2022. I believe Osun needs every kobo to meet her numerous developmental challenges. Our earnings from FAAC allocations and internally generated revenues are channeled to key sectoral projects from infrastructure to agriculture to health among others.

“We also target payment of workers’ emolument, pensions and outstanding salary debt. We maintain a delicate balance on expenditure across human and infra sectors and within less than three years, we have good records widely verified by local and national stakeholders”, the Governor submitted.

The Governor said his administration demonstrated foresight early enough when it created a special project account where unexpected inflow from FAAC are saved, pointing out that the initiative is a shock absorber and a smart way to ensure completion of ongoing infra projects in the state.

While expecting early resolution of the Osun local government fund seizure, Governor Adeleke was quoted as reassuring Osun people and other stakeholders that his administration remains focussed and committed to completing its human and capital projects on schedule.