The Atlantic Bell

The Atlantic Bell

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned the exclusion of the Niger Delta from the Federal Government’s recently approved N3.9 trillion road infrastructure projects, describing the development as another clear example of the region’s continued neglect despite its enormous contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

The position of the regional body reinforces an earlier report by The Atlantic Bell, which highlighted the absence of major Niger Delta road projects from the Federal Executive Council’s approval of 26 highway projects spread across 15 states.

In a statement signed by its National Leader, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, PANDEF said the omission was unfair and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently review the list of approved projects to ensure the oil-producing region receives equitable attention.

According to the group, while it welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the country’s road infrastructure, it was “troubling and shocking” that the South-South was virtually left out of the massive investment.

“The Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of PANDEF have noted the outcome of the recent Federal Executive Council meeting where the sum of N3.9 trillion was approved for road infrastructure projects across the country.

“While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet on this commitment towards the physical infrastructure of the country, we in the South-South lament the fact that our region has again been grossly short-changed with a very insignificant allocation of projects from this humongous sum,” the statement said.

PANDEF noted that out of the 26 projects approved, covering 15 states, the only project linked to the South-South was the N86 billion road connecting Benue and Cross River states, with no major highway traversing the core Niger Delta included in the approvals.

The forum described the development as unacceptable, arguing that poor road infrastructure has continued to isolate communities across the region and undermine economic activities.

“The people of the Niger Delta therefore call on Mr President to look into this matter with a view to reversing the situation, bearing in mind that the Niger Delta region is the revenue base of the country,” Igali stated.

The group also expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing the East-West Road, describing the flagship highway as “a metaphor for a failed project” despite repeated assurances by the Federal Government that work would be expedited.

PANDEF further decried what it described as the neglect of key maritime infrastructure in the region, noting that the ports in Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt and Warri remain largely abandoned without any clear programme for rehabilitation, modernisation or expansion.

Describing the situation as “starving the goose that lays the golden egg,” the forum warned that the continued neglect of the Niger Delta fuels feelings of alienation among the people.

Nevertheless, PANDEF reaffirmed the region’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through increased oil and gas production, while urging the Federal Government to demonstrate greater fairness, equity and justice in the distribution of national infrastructure projects.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared that Nigeria’s path to sustainable development lies in producing God-fearing leaders, arguing that the country’s numerous challenges stem largely from a lack of moral leadership and accountability.

Fubara made the assertion on Thursday while receiving the World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Erton Köhler, alongside his wife, Andriene Marques Köhler, daughter Mariana Marques Köhler, and other senior ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor commended the Seventh-day Adventist Church for its long-standing investment in education, noting that its institutions have continued to produce future leaders while promoting moral values.
He observed that beyond preaching the Christian faith, the church had demonstrated commitment to nation-building through its educational institutions, including two universities in Nigeria.

“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line, and that is what has brought us to where we are today,” Fubara said.

He stressed that Nigeria requires leaders who are not only academically equipped but also guided by integrity and the fear of God.

“We need the right people in the right places, prepared properly with good minds. That is what we need, not just in Nigeria but across the world,” he added.

The governor further linked the country’s social and economic problems—including poverty, corruption, inequality and criminality—to the absence of responsible and God-fearing leadership in positions of authority.
According to him, good governance should guarantee access to quality education, affordable healthcare and decent living conditions capable of giving citizens confidence in the future.

“If the little money you’re paid as wages can afford quality healthcare, and after working for 15 to 20 years you can own a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in crime? People become secure, and the fear of the future that fuels many social vices will disappear,” he said.

Fubara thanked the delegation for its prayers and continued support for Rivers State, assuring the church of his administration’s commitment to partnering with faith-based organisations in advancing societal development.

Earlier, Köhler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church aimed at empowering thousands of ministers for more effective service to the church and society.

He thanked the Rivers State governor for the warm reception, describing the visit as memorable, and disclosed that the church has more than 24 million members and over 182,000 places of worship across 212 countries worldwide.

Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reversing the impression created by his earlier remarks that sparked widespread public debate.

In a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, Olawande said reports suggesting that Adire had been adopted to replace the scheme’s iconic khaki uniform were a misrepresentation of comments he made during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

According to the minister, his reference to Adire and Ankara during the interview was merely illustrative of proposals being considered as part of the ongoing reform of the NYSC, stressing that no final decision had been reached on the fabric or design of a new uniform.

“My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform,” he said.

Olawande explained that government was evaluating options that would reflect professionalism, promote a distinct national identity, ensure durability and functionality, remain cost-effective, and project national pride.

He added that any eventual decision would emerge from extensive stakeholder consultations and would be guided by what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the nation.

The minister also urged Nigerians not to allow discussions over a possible change of uniform to overshadow the broader reforms being pursued for the 53-year-old scheme.

He said the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC more responsive to current realities through improved employability, entrepreneurship development, stronger national integration, enhanced service delivery and a smoother transition from education to productive careers.

“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” he added.

The clarification comes hours after reports emerged that the Federal Government had approved the replacement of the traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire as part of a sweeping reform package endorsed by the Federal Executive Council.

During the television interview, Olawande had identified Adire as the proposed replacement, saying the move was intended to boost local textile production and retain government spending within the domestic economy.

The proposed uniform change was reported as one of several reforms approved for the NYSC, alongside skills-based deployment of corps members, civilian operational leadership for the scheme and amendments to the NYSC Act.

The Federal Government has challenged state governors to deploy their improved financial resources towards tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, insisting that increased revenue should be reflected in greater investment in quality education.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, issued the charge on Thursday while speaking with journalists after inspecting schools in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State during the National Learning Assessment Week.

She said state governments now have the financial capacity to provide better learning infrastructure, improve access to education and ensure that no Nigerian child is denied the opportunity to attend school.

“You have better funding to ensure every child has access to better education,” the minister said, urging governors to make education a top development priority.

Prof. Ahmad reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting states in expanding access to quality education, revealing that plans have been concluded to reintegrate 5,000 out-of-school children in Jigawa State into the formal education system.

She explained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce school exclusion and improve access to basic education across the country.

The minister also highlighted the importance of the National Learning Assessment, describing it as a unified framework designed to evaluate students’ academic performance at critical stages of learning and strengthen educational outcomes nationwide.

According to her, the new assessment system replaces the previous arrangement under which the Federal Government and states conducted separate evaluations, providing a more coordinated approach to measuring learning achievements across Nigeria.

Prof. Ahmad expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing end-of-term examinations and the learning environment in the schools visited, commending the Jigawa State Government for its preparations.

She, however, stressed that the responsibility of addressing the country’s education challenges, particularly the growing number of out-of-school children, rests heavily on state governments.

The minister called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and the states to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for every Nigerian child, insisting that no child should be left behind.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a swift and lasting resolution to the gas leakage in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area, while pledging to upgrade the community’s Primary Healthcare Centre to address the health challenges arising from the incident.

Fubara made the commitment on Wednesday during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, attended by representatives of the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, regulatory agencies, industry operators and leaders of the affected community.

The meeting reviewed the environmental and health implications of the gas leakage and explored measures to mitigate its impact on residents.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the governor said the state government had been working closely with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and industry operators to determine the cause of the incident and ensure a permanent solution.

“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. There is a case of gas leakage in the community, and the people have appealed to government to intervene.

“As a state, we have visited the community alongside industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Today’s enlarged meeting brought all relevant stakeholders together to examine the cause of the problem and agree on the most effective way to resolve it,” he said.

Fubara expressed optimism over the outcome of the discussions, describing the meeting as productive and assuring residents that further actions would be taken in the coming weeks to permanently address the problem.

He also announced that the Primary Healthcare Centre in Bille would be upgraded to improve healthcare delivery and respond more effectively to health concerns linked to the gas leakage.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government delegation, commended the governor for his prompt intervention and commitment to the welfare of the affected community.

Ekpo said contrary to public perception, the Federal Government had been actively investigating the incident since it was reported.

According to him, experts were immediately deployed to the area, but investigations proved challenging because there are no known oil or gas facilities near the site of the seepage.

“The investigation is ongoing, but we decided to return to engage the people of Bille because their cooperation is essential to achieving a lasting solution.

“The safety of the people remains our priority. We understand their concerns and the risks posed by the incident, and the Federal Government is committed to resolving the problem permanently,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, assured residents that the commission and industry operators would continue to support efforts to mitigate the impact of the incident.

She said arrangements were being made to provide potable water and deploy fire trucks to the community while investigations and remediation efforts continue.

Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, outlined the challenges facing the community and appealed for urgent government intervention to protect the lives and livelihoods of residents.