The Association of Niger Delta Online Publishers (ANDOP) has secured the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South-South Zone, for its planned political debates involving candidates contesting the 2027 elections across the region.

The commitment was made when the Board of Trustees of ANDOP paid a courtesy visit to the Vice President, South-South Zone of the NUJ, Opaka Dokubo, at his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The visit was aimed at formally introducing the association to the NUJ zonal leadership and briefing Dokubo on the proposed collaboration between both organisations to organise debates for candidates of various political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dokubo welcomed the initiative and pledged the full collaboration of the NUJ to ensure its successful execution across the Niger Delta.

He commended the Board of Trustees and members of ANDOP for the professionalism they had brought to online journalism, describing the association as an important force in promoting credible information and countering the spread of fake news in the digital space.

The NUJ zonal vice president also expressed delight over the calibre of journalists driving online publishing in the Niger Delta, describing their emergence as a positive development for journalism and the region.

Dokubo also urged ANDOP to find ways of grooming and mentoring young journalism graduates who will eventually take over from the present generation and ensure that quacks do not have a place in online journalism practice in the region.

He assured the delegation that the NUJ would work assiduously with ANDOP to ensure the success of the proposed debates across the region.

Earlier, the Founding President of ANDOP, Ofonime Umanah, who led the delegation, said the association was established not only to present a correct perspective of issues affecting the Niger Delta through online platforms, but also to mentor younger journalists in the region.

Umanah said ANDOP was prepared to work with the NUJ to organise credible and issue-based debates involving governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.

He said the debates would provide citizens and voters with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, assess their programmes and competence, and make informed choices at the polls.

According to him, the initiative is part of ANDOP’s broader commitment to strengthening journalism, democratic participation and responsible political communication in the Niger Delta.

Among members of the delegation were the Secretary of ANDOP, Celestine Ogolo, and the Treasurer, Sir Lawson Hayford.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has thrown its weight behind a three-year strategic initiative to transform Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State into a globally competitive tourism destination.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke at the Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit, said the “Discover Bonny and Orange Economy” initiative represented a bold step towards diversifying the kingdom’s economy through tourism, enterprise development and investment promotion.

Ogbuku, represented by the Commission’s Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, said tourism had far-reaching economic implications beyond hospitality, stressing that it could drive growth in security, communications, finance, education, healthcare and other sectors.

The summit, organised by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BCCIMA), was held under the theme, “Bonny Island: Transforming into a Premier Global Destination.”

The NDDC boss commended BCCIMA for developing an initiative aimed at mobilising capital, promoting innovation and creating sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses in Bonny and across the Niger Delta.

He said Bonny, historically associated with its oil and gas wealth, was now exploring tourism as a new economic frontier.

“For decades, when the world thought of Bonny, it thought of one thing, namely, what was under the water; not what was on top of it. Oil and gas built roads, schools, jetties that still put food on tables. Today, Bonny is doing what the river has always done. It is finding a new path through tourism,” he said.

Ogbuku noted that the NDDC’s mandate included sustainable development, economic empowerment, infrastructure, human capital development and inclusive prosperity across the Niger Delta.

He said the Commission had consistently supported youths, women, entrepreneurs and small and medium-scale enterprises through skills acquisition, enterprise development, innovation hubs, sponsorships and strategic partnerships.

He also recalled that the NDDC established the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) in 2023 to promote trade, investment, industrial development, private-sector participation and regional economic integration.

The NDDC chief executive assured stakeholders that the Commission would continue to collaborate with private investors and other economic development institutions to create opportunities for youths, strengthen start-ups and unlock new areas of economic growth.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Dr Olayiwola Awakan, said Bonny Island possessed significant tourism attractions that remained largely untapped.

Awakan stressed the need for private-sector participation, arguing that a commercially driven tourism industry would reduce dependence on government funding and political administrations.

The President of BCCIMA, Dr Constance Nwokejiobi, said the Orange Economy initiative was designed to complement Bonny’s traditional oil and gas economy with a sustainable tourism industry based on its cultural heritage, historical sites, natural attractions and hospitality potential.

She disclosed that the initiative would establish a Tourism Concierge Platform, a structured framework for investors and a privately driven Tourism Centre to coordinate tourism activities and attract investment.

“Tourism is Nigeria’s Orange Economy, a creative and service-driven growth engine capable of diversifying and expanding our national GDP beyond oil and gas,” she said.

The traditional ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, said Bonny had a proud history and remained an important contributor to Nigeria’s economy through its oil and gas investments.

The monarch, however, expressed support for tourism as a second and more sustainable economic pillar for the kingdom, noting that Bonny’s history, culture and natural attractions provided a strong foundation for the development of a globally recognised tourism industry.

L-R: Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma; Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Chairman, Obio/Akpor LGA, Dr Gift Worlu and former Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, during the commissioning of projects at Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, on Wednesday.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s educational system towards vocational and technical education, arguing that the overemphasis on academic certificates at the expense of practical skills is fuelling unemployment and undermining economic development.

Fubara made the call on Wednesday while commissioning three major infrastructure projects at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said Nigeria could not adequately prepare its young population for the demands of the 21st-century economy without deliberately realigning its educational curriculum towards practical skills, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

The School of Engineering Technology Building, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, commissioned by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday.

He recalled that the 6-3-3-4 education system adopted by Nigeria in the 1980s was designed to expose young people to vocational and technical training at the secondary school level, enabling them to acquire skills, trades and crafts before proceeding to polytechnics or universities.

According to him, the original concept was for students to acquire practical skills within the first three years of secondary education, allowing those with the requisite aptitude to become self-employed while others could pursue further academic training.

Fubara, however, regretted that the country had gradually deviated from the vision, resulting in a society where young people place greater value on degrees and certificates than on competencies required by the labour market.

“The Polytechnic system was designed in such a way that if you’re gifted with your hands; if you’re a technical person, you can go there and learn more, build your skills so that you can add value to our society,” he said.

The Governing Council Building, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, commissioned by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday.

The governor lamented that society had failed to attach sufficient importance to technical education, forcing many young people into university education even when their strengths and interests were better suited to vocational training.

He said the Entrepreneurship Centre at the polytechnic was conceived to provide young people with relevant skills that would enable them to become employers of labour rather than job seekers after graduation.

“For us as a government, what is important to us is not just about embarking on projects but executing projects that will touch the lives of the people; projects that will solve problems and projects that will bring advancement to our lives,” Fubara said.

He added: “Today, technology has taken over everything. So if we have to prepare our youths; if we have to prepare our dear state, for the challenge ahead, our educational programmes have to be very strategic.”

The governor urged the management, students and members of the host community to protect the newly completed facilities and equipment from theft and vandalism.

He advised them to regard the projects as their own and not merely as government property.

Governor of Rivers State,His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, unveiling the plaque on the Entrepreneurship Centre, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Fubara also urged residents of Obio/Akpor to embrace the prevailing peace in the state, stressing that political stability was essential for sustainable development.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peter Nwagor, said two of the commissioned projects comprised one-storey buildings constructed and fully furnished for the School of Engineering and the Entrepreneurship Centre.

He said each building occupies about 1,940 square metres and contains eight halls, 14 staff offices and 22 toilet facilities, in addition to workshops, administrative spaces, staff quarters and fully air-conditioned areas designed for practical training.

The third project, the Governing Council Building, was initiated under the administration of former governor Nyesom Wike but completed and fully furnished by the Fubara administration.

The Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee, described the projects as historic landmarks for the institution, saying the Entrepreneurship Centre and other facilities represented some of the most significant developments on the campus in nearly two decades.

The governor’s intervention, he said, would strengthen the institution’s capacity to provide practical, industry-relevant training and contribute to the development of skilled manpower for Rivers State and Nigeria.

CIFAL Nigeria, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), has joined the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2026, paying tribute to humanitarian workers and all those who continue to serve vulnerable communities in times of crisis.

The Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Mrs Ihuoma Njemanze, said the occasion provides an opportunity not only to honour humanitarian heroes but also to renew the collective commitment to compassion, human dignity, solidarity and practical action.

Humanitarianism, rooted in the belief that every human life is valuable and deserving of dignity, has evolved from individual acts of compassion into a global movement dedicated to protecting and assisting people affected by conflicts, disasters and other crises.

According to Njemanze, the humanitarian cause remains particularly important in a world confronted by armed conflicts, forced displacement, climate-related disasters, food insecurity, poverty and other complex emergencies that continue to place millions of lives at risk.

The journey towards organised humanitarian action can be traced to the 19th Century, when Swiss businessman Henry Dunant witnessed the horrific suffering of wounded soldiers following the 1859 Battle of Solferino.

Deeply moved by what he saw, Dunant advocated a coordinated system for providing assistance to victims of war, laying the foundation for the modern humanitarian movement.

His vision contributed to the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 and the adoption of the First Geneva Convention in 1864, which provided legal protection for wounded soldiers and marked a significant milestone in the development of international humanitarian law.

The movement expanded significantly after World War II with the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, strengthening international cooperation in responding to humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Today, humanitarian action extends far beyond the battlefield. Millions of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters, displacement, food insecurity and other emergencies receive assistance through emergency relief, refugee protection, healthcare, education, food assistance and climate resilience initiatives.

For CIFAL Nigeria and UNITAR, humanitarianism also underscores the importance of building knowledge, skills and institutional capacity to enable individuals and communities to respond effectively to humanitarian challenges.

Njemanze emphasised the need for sustained investment in education, training and capacity development, particularly for professionals, young people and community leaders who are at the frontline of responding to emerging challenges.

She noted that humanitarian action should not be limited to emergency intervention after crises occur, but must also encompass prevention, preparedness, resilience and sustainable development.

The global humanitarian community, she said, must continue to recognise the courage and sacrifices of aid workers who operate in difficult and sometimes dangerous environments to reach people in desperate need.

In recognition of their commitment, the United Nations designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day in 2008. The day honours humanitarian workers and communities affected by crises while drawing attention to the principles of compassion, solidarity and human dignity.

Dunant captured the essence of humanitarianism when he spoke of “the moral sense of the importance of human life” and the desire to ease the suffering of vulnerable people.

As the world marks World Humanitarian Day 2026, Njemanze said the challenge is to move beyond remembrance and awareness to concrete action.

She called on individuals, governments, civil society organisations, development partners and communities to support humanitarian causes, volunteer their time and expertise, advocate for vulnerable populations and promote initiatives that protect human dignity.

For CIFAL Nigeria and UNITAR, the message is clear: humanitarianism must translate compassion into action and knowledge into solutions.

At a time of growing conflicts, displacement, disasters and climate-related emergencies, the humanitarian ideal remains as relevant as ever — that no person should be abandoned in their moment of greatest need.

And as humanitarian heroes are celebrated around the world, the greater tribute may lie not merely in remembering their sacrifices, but in continuing the work they began.

Every act of compassion, however small, can contribute to a more humane and resilient world.

WorldHumanitarianDay #ActForHumanity #ForHumanity #LeaveNoOneBehind #Humanitarianism #WHD2026 #CIFALNigeria #UNITAR

His Royal Highnesss Eng. Hope Torru, Ebedaowei of Kabuowei Clan, Bayelsa State.

Stakeholders of Kabuowei Clan in Bayelsa State have called for stronger collaboration among traditional rulers, community development committees, development unions and security agencies to tackle insecurity and accelerate sustainable development in the clan.

The stakeholders made the call after a meeting held at the palace of the Ebedaowei of Kabuowei Clan in Trofani, where they adopted a four-point communique on peace, security, community administration and economic development.

In the communique signed by the Ozituaowei of Kabuowei Clan, Bayelsa, High Chief Freston Akpor, the stakeholders welcomed the community administration organogram issued by the state Ministry of Community Development.

They, however, clarified that while development unions were legally recognised as instruments for advancing development under their respective constitutions, they should not assume sole responsibility for administering communities.

Rather, the unions, they said, should work alongside traditional institutions, community development committees, youth and women groups and other recognised organs to promote peace, stability and development.

Concerned by the growing insecurity across the country, the stakeholders urged the seven Kabuowei communities in Bayelsa to develop community-specific security structures capable of addressing their peculiar security challenges.

They proposed that such structures should be coordinated at the clan level to promote uniformity, intelligence gathering and information sharing, while strengthening collaboration with state security agencies.

The stakeholders also endorsed recognised paramount rulers as chief security officers of their respective communities, urging them to work closely with CDCs and other stakeholders to achieve common security objectives.

They called for harmonious coexistence among the various groups within Kabuowei communities, warning that activities of development unions must remain within the limits of their constitutional mandates.

“Development unions should be guided by their specific functions and constitutions and their activities must not conflict with the administrative structure and organs of Kabuowei communities such as the paramount ruler, CDC, youth and women executives as provided for in the communities’ constitutions and the laws of Bayelsa State,” the communique stated.

On economic development, the stakeholders urged the seven Kabuowei communities to revive and modernise traditional occupations, particularly fishing, farming and trading, through the adoption of innovative practices.

They also encouraged the communities to explore funding opportunities from government agencies, donor organisations and non-governmental organisations to support local economic initiatives.

The stakeholders further called on development unions to collaborate with paramount rulers to ensure that Kabuowei communities benefit equitably from proceeds derived from natural resources, particularly oil and gas.

They recommended that government interventions and economic activities within the communities be supervised and coordinated at the clan level to prevent duplication of efforts and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.

The meeting ultimately urged the Bayelsa State Government and relevant agencies to support the implementation of the resolutions, stressing that coordinated action among community institutions would strengthen peace, security and sustainable development across Kabuowei Clan.