By David Owei
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has announced the appointment of Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Nikiwe Bam as Special Envoy on Africa Traditional Institutions and the African Diaspora.

Princess Dr. Bam is a Princess of the AmaMpondomise Kingdom, Founder & Global President of Afrikan Young Indigenous Leaders, and a globally respected advocate for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, education, and royal diplomacy.

She previously served as Lead Facilitator for the C20 Working Group on Cultural Diversity and is currently Coordinator of the Africa Celebrates Traditional Leaders Forum, scheduled for November 2026 in Ethiopia.

Announcing the appointment on Saturday, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Convener/CEO of ABER, described Princess Dr. Bam as “eminently fit for this continental assignment” due to her wisdom, ingenuity, and proven capacity to unite Africa’s royal institutions.

“As Special Envoy, Her Royal Highness will champion the role of traditional rulers in advancing the Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) and Agenda 2063 by mobilizing traditional institutions across Africa for inclusive and sustainable ocean governance.

“Bridging Africa and the Diaspora to ensure cultural values, indigenous knowledge, and ancestral stewardship shape blue economy policy,
safeguarding marine and coastal heritage through community-led conservation while elevating the voices of women royal leaders and youth within ABER’s continental framework. In this capacity, Princess Dr. Bam will work closely with the ABER Coordinator for Africa’s Sixth Region, African Diaspora, based in Los Angeles, USA.

“ABER welcomes Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Nikiwe Bam. We look forward to working together to advance UNITY, TRADITION AND ROYAL HERITAGE in service of Africa’s ocean future,” said Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Convener/CEO of ABER.

About ABER
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable is a continental digital networking platform promoting inclusive and sustainable ocean governance in line with the African Union’s Africa Blue Economy Strategy and Agenda 2063. ABER works with governments, traditional institutions, the private sector, and communities to place people and culture at the center of Africa’s ocean economy.

By our correspondent

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), Peter Obi, has celebrated his elder brother, Dominic Ositadimma Obi, on his 75th birthday, describing him as a symbol of integrity, humility, contentment and responsible living.

Obi, in a birthday message on Sunday, August 30, 2026, said his elder brother’s life had been defined by values that transcended family ties, stressing that Dominic’s conduct had remained a source of pride and inspiration to the family.

Reflecting on his eight years as Governor of Anambra State, Obi recalled that Dominic never visited his office or the Governor’s Lodge to seek personal favours, contracts or other benefits associated with political power.

He said his brother, a planner and contractor who builds houses for individuals, did not request a single government contract from him throughout his tenure.

“Whenever we met, he would warmly embrace me and tell me that he was fine,” Obi recalled, adding that Dominic would rather remind him of the responsibility he had undertaken as governor.

“He would solemnly remind me to keep doing what I promised the people and never bring a bad name to the family and my community,” he said.

According to Obi, his brother also encouraged him to remain focused on the welfare of the people, reminding him that whatever challenges he might be experiencing were insignificant compared with the difficulties confronting many Nigerians.

Obi disclosed that he later discovered that Dominic’s decision not to seek favours from his administration was part of a broader resolution reached by members of the Obi family.

“I later came to understand that this was not peculiar to him alone. My family members had actually held a meeting and resolved that none of them would take advantage of my position as Governor,” he said.

The former governor explained that the family’s decision was intended to protect the integrity and reputation of the family and their Agulu community, adding that the same principle was extended to his children.

Obi said Dominic had remained concerned about the affairs of Nigeria despite attaining the age of 75, noting that his elder brother continued to offer prayers, counsel and encouragement.

“Whenever we speak, he is full of prayers and good wishes. He constantly reminds me that if I have the opportunity to serve Nigeria, I should do so with honesty, integrity, and the interest of the people at heart,” Obi stated.

While expressing gratitude to God for his brother’s life, Obi said Dominic’s character and conduct represented enduring values worthy of celebration.

“Brother Dom, I thank God for the gift of your life and for the example you have set for our family. Your integrity, humility, contentment, and sense of responsibility are qualities worthy of celebration,” he said.

He prayed God to grant his brother continued good health, grace and blessings as he marks the milestone.

“Happy 75th birthday, my dearest brother,” Obi added.

By David Owei

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, has called on the people of the state to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw nation and resist its adulteration through the importation of alien practices.

Dr Akpe made the call in Yenagoa at the weekend, when he paid a condolence visit to the Tule family of Ofoni Federated Community, Sagbama Local Government Area, over the demise of their mother, late Mrs. Agreement Tule, who died on August 4, 2026, at the age of 88.

He expressed concern over what he described as the growing infiltration of cultural practices alien to the Ijaw people, particularly in the observance of traditional marriage and burial rites, stressing the need for a cultural reawakening.

He also emphasized the need for people to avoid unnecessary competitions and showmanship, but rather do things within the limits of their capacity.

The Deputy Governor commiserated with Mr. Minister Tule and other members of the bereaved family, urging them to be consoled by the fact that their mother lived a fulfilled life and died at a ripe age.

His words: “We are here to commiserate with you. Your mother lived for 88 years, almost 90. Even though we didn’t interact with her while she lived, the qualities we find in you tell us her story.

“There is something about our culture I think we need to look at. For instance, somebody died in the village and you took the corpse to deposit in a mortuary in Port Harcourt. Does it make sense. For me, it doesn’t.

“Even this wedging of kola nut during traditional presentations, we are doing now, I stand to be corrected, is a borrowed culture. We have even borrowed what is now known as canopy standing and canopy dropping. That means we do one particular burial for several times.

“If we fail to talk about these things and stop them, they will stand and our children will believe them as our true tradition and culture. I’m an advocate of ‘whatever we do, we should do it in accordance with what we can afford.’ In the course of doing it, if help comes our way, we thank God. That is my philosophy.

Responding on behalf of the family and the entire Ofoni community, Dr. Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Mr Friday Oyivwita, thanked the deputy governor and his delegation for the condolence visit.

Dr Ewhrudjakpo equally appreciated Akpe for his sustained support to the community and pledged their continued loyalty and unalloyed support for the Governor Douye Diri-led Prosperity Administration.

The deputy governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for General Duties, Hon. Johnson Onoma; Special Adviser on Enterprise Development, Chief Victor Sam-Ateki; and Chairman, Izon-Ebe Microfinance Bank, Chief Ayakeme Whisky.

Others are the APC House of Assembly flag bearer for Sagbama Constituency 1, Hon
Lucky Agbalaje, and the Sagbama Local Government APC Chairman, Mr Arioke Ohwona, as well as Hon. Williams Ofoni, Dr. Stanley Dide, Hon. Engema Jumbo, and Mr Lokiri Lawrence.