By Kelvin Ohoror 

Delta State University (DELSU), Oleh Campus, in collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has inducted 282 graduate engineers at its maiden oath-taking and induction ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic session.

The ceremony, held at the Faculty of Engineering, Oleh Campus, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, marked a significant milestone in the professional journey of the newly inducted engineers.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Samuel Asagba, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Engr. Prof. Hilary Owamah, said the administration was committed to repositioning the Faculty of Engineering and strengthening academic activities at the institution.

He said the Vice-Chancellor had made the development of the faculty a priority and was determined to provide the necessary facilities and equipment to improve teaching, learning and practical training.

Owamah assured that the university would continue to support the faculty in providing quality engineering education and preparing students to meet the demands of the profession.

In his address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Oleh Campus, Engr. Prof. K.M. Oghenejoboh, charged the newly inducted engineers to uphold the ethics and standards of the profession, stressing that integrity, competence, honesty, discipline and accountability must guide their conduct.

He described the induction as an important step in their professional development, urging them to recognise the responsibilities that come with being members of a profession critical to national development.

Oghenejoboh also highlighted the opportunities available to Nigerian engineering graduates through the country’s membership of the Washington Accord, noting that it provides a pathway for graduates from accredited engineering programmes to have their qualifications recognised in other member countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.

He urged the graduates to deploy their knowledge and skills towards addressing national challenges, particularly in infrastructure development, sustainable energy, transportation, manufacturing, digital transformation and environmental protection.

The President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, represented by the Chairman of the Delta State Technical Committee on Engineering Regulations Monitoring, Engr. Solomon A. Aghagba, called on universities offering engineering programmes to maintain high academic standards and equip their graduates with the skills required to compete globally.

Aghagba, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Works, disclosed that about 123 universities in Nigeria offer engineering education through more than 622 programmes.

He said the country’s available educational resources, if properly harnessed, could support the production of at least 15,000 engineering graduates across different fields.

According to him, COREN has developed a checklist in line with international best practices to guide engineering education and ensure that students meet the required academic and professional standards throughout their training.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to helping DELSU achieve the benchmarks of the Washington Accord through training, capacity development, accreditation and other quality assurance initiatives.

Aghagba said stronger collaboration between regulatory bodies, professional associations and universities was necessary to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and industry expectations.

He explained that such partnerships would ensure that engineering graduates acquire the practical knowledge, competence and proficiency needed to function effectively in the workplace.

He commended DELSU for its contributions to academic development and congratulated the inductees, urging them to remain committed to the responsibilities and ethical demands of their profession.

Also speaking, Engr. Goodluck Ohwodo, who represented the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, expressed satisfaction with the successful induction of the 282 graduates.

He urged the inductees to complete their registration with COREN, explaining that obtaining the appropriate registration was essential to their professional development and eventual practice as registered engineers.

Ohwodo reminded them that engineering was governed by established ethical standards and regulations, which they must understand and respect throughout their careers.

He further charged the young engineers to see themselves as ambassadors of the profession and conduct themselves in ways that would promote public confidence in engineering, stressing the need for diligence, integrity and professionalism.

Delivering the keynote lecture, titled “Ethical Issues and the Prospects of Young Engineers in an AI Generation,” Owamah cautioned the graduates against excessive dependence on artificial intelligence in their academic and professional activities.

He acknowledged that AI could simplify tasks and provide useful information but warned that it could not replace the professional judgement, integrity and personal responsibility required of engineers.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor also challenged the inductees to make effective use of their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme by seeking opportunities to apply their engineering knowledge and gain practical experience.

He urged them to be confident in their abilities and avoid restricting their service experience to classroom teaching when opportunities existed to participate in engineering-related assignments.

Owamah stressed that the future of the profession would depend not only on technical expertise but also on the character, ethical values and practical competence of the next generation of engineers.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured the people of Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area that his administration will ensure oil companies operating in the area meet their obligations to host communities affected by oil spills and other environmental challenges.

Oborevwori gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to oil spill sites in Uzere, where he said he assessed the extent of the damage and obtain first-hand information to guide the state government’s engagement with the operating company.

The governor said his administration had been monitoring developments in Uzere and other affected communities, including Odidi, through reports from government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders, but considered it necessary to visit the locations personally.

He recalled that following a similar incident in Odidi, the state government deployed more than 100 medical personnel to provide healthcare services to residents, adding that a similar medical intervention would be extended to Uzere.

He directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, to ensure that residents of the affected communities received appropriate medical attention, including examinations to establish possible health implications of the incident. He added that the medical outreach would also cover residents of Uzere town.

Oborevwori said the government had engaged Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the operating company, and received explanations on the measures taken to contain the incident.

He noted that the company had undertaken preliminary engagements with the host communities before commencing containment and cleanup operations, expressing satisfaction that the cleanup exercise was already underway.

The governor, however, said the exercise must be followed by appropriate remediation to address the environmental damage, urging the company to sustain its engagement with the communities and ensure that their legitimate concerns were addressed.

He cautioned residents against interpreting the time taken to address some of their complaints as lack of commitment by the government, insisting that due process and established procedures must be followed.

“Delay is not denial. There are procedures and processes, and that is the reason for any delay. I am here with the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Environment and Youth Development, Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, to see things for ourselves, meet with the host community and engage with the company,” he said.

Oborevwori commended the people for maintaining peace despite their grievances, stressing that dialogue remained the most effective means of resolving disputes between host communities and oil companies.

He urged Heritage Energy to cooperate with the host communities and take their concerns seriously, assuring them that his administration would continue to support efforts to secure a fair resolution.

Earlier, the Manager Government and Community Relations of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Dr. Jeremiah Oharisi, said the company received information about gas build-up at the well on June 27.

He explained that the well had two production strings, known as Lima and Syria, which were shut down in 2019 and 2023, respectively, leaving it inactive before the incident.

According to him, gas accumulated in the reservoir and eventually forced its way to the surface, causing bubbling and the escape of some crude oil.

Oharisi said the company immediately activated emergency response measures, including securing the affected area, sensitising the host community, evacuating residents from the vicinity and deploying fire trucks. He added that efforts were also initiated to contain and recover the escaping crude.

However, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, Chief Edward Onyagbodor, lamented that the company’s intervention had largely been limited to the provision of palliatives estimated at between N10.2 million and N10.6 million.

Similarly, a former President-General of the Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, urged the governor to prevail on Heritage Energy to demonstrate greater commitment to the welfare of its host communities.

Amadhe disclosed that OML 30, operated by Heritage Energy, had 112 host communities, comprising 89 Urhobo, 13 Isoko, 6 Ijaw and 4 Itsekiri communities.

The National President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, has commended the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Delta State, Chief Festus Ahon, for spearheading the inauguration of coordinators and canvassers of the Global Initiative Support Group (GISG), describing the exercise as a strategic step towards strengthening grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Otiti, who also serves as the Delta State PBAT Door-to-Door Movement Online Media Coordinator, said the successful inauguration demonstrated a genuine commitment to taking the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) directly to the people.

He noted that watching the well attended event, convened by Chief Festus Ahon and inaugurated on Friday in Ughelli by Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, reflected the growing acceptance of the APC at the grassroots and the determination of party faithful to build a formidable support network across Delta State.

According to Otiti, the initiative represents an inclusive political movement that ensures communities are actively involved in the mobilisation process rather than remaining mere spectators.

“The inauguration is a clear indication that grassroots supporters are being carried along. It is encouraging to see a support structure that extends across Delta State and even reaches Deltans in the diaspora. This is the type of people-driven mobilisation capable of delivering electoral success in 2027,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony attracted coordinators and canvassers from across the state, APC leaders, political stakeholders, women and youth groups, as well as representatives of the organisation’s diaspora chapter.

Performing the inauguration on behalf of the Delta State APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, the Delta South Senatorial Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, applauded the Convener of GISG, Olorogun Festus Ahon, the group’s Chairman, Chief Josiah Ntekume, and other officials for establishing a robust support structure with a presence throughout Delta State and among Deltans living abroad.

Political observers at the event described the inauguration as another significant milestone in the APC’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its grassroots support base and enhance voter mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Professor Alexander Akpodiete has delivered a confidential, bespoke Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) examination-preparation programme for a private client in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), demonstrating the growing reach of specialised professional training across international borders.

The programme, concluded in Spain, was facilitated through a combination of virtual and in-person sessions, featuring personalised assessments, practical scenarios, mock examination reviews and targeted feedback tailored to the client’s learning needs.

According to Akpodiete, the training concluded with an examination of a real-world General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforcement case, designed to bridge the gap between regulatory knowledge and practical business decision-making.

He explained that his training philosophy was anchored on the principle that effective learning should adapt to individual learners rather than compel learners to conform to rigid training methods.

Through Atawa AI Technology and Consultancy, Akpodiete provides customised professional training for individuals, executives and organisations across different countries.

The training programmes cover Data Privacy and Protection, Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI Governance, as well as Project Management and Governance.

He noted that the engagement, which connected Spain and the UAE, underscored the growing opportunities for delivering specialised professional development programmes beyond geographical boundaries.

Akpodiete said his training programmes could be delivered virtually or physically, depending on clients’ objectives and organisational requirements.

He invited individuals, executives and organisations seeking specialised professional development to engage Atawa AI Technology and Consultancy to design training programmes suited to their specific needs.

He, however, emphasised that client confidentiality was maintained throughout the engagement.

He also clarified that the CIPP/E examination-preparation programme was independently developed and did not constitute official training by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Interested clients can contact the organisation through training@atawa.ai or visit www.atawa.ai.

Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, has inaugurated the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff 2027, comprising coordinators and canvassers across the 25 local government areas of the state, with a charge to mobilise grassroots support for the re-election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Arenyeka, who was represented at the inauguration ceremony held in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, by the Delta South Senatorial District Chairman of the party, Emmanuel Amgbaduba, expressed confidence in the group’s organisational structure and grassroots reach, including its membership in the diaspora.

Arayenka expressed satisfaction by the group’s structure across the 25 local government areas of the state, placed in strategic positions to mobilise support for the party.

He said the achievements of the Oborevwori administration in the last three years had provided sufficient grounds for the governor’s re-election, citing ongoing infrastructural development, particularly the flyover projects in Warri and Ughelli.

According to him, the transformation taking place around Ughelli and Otovwodo Junction, as well as projects in the education and health sectors, demonstrated the governor’s commitment to improving the living conditions of residents.

He also applauded the governor for signing the 13th-month salary bill into law, saying the development would enable civil servants in the state to receive an additional month’s salary in December.

Arenyeka urged members of the support group to extend their political mobilisation beyond the governorship election to include President Bola Tinubu, Senator Ede Dafinone, National Assembly candidates and candidates for the Delta State House of Assembly.

He argued that support for Oborevwori must go hand in hand with support for Tinubu, as resources from the Federal Government had contributed to the execution of development projects in Delta State.

He charged the coordinators and canvassers to take the APC message to the grassroots, engage voters and ensure that eligible supporters obtained and used their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, during the elections.

The APC State Chairman expressed confidence that with effective coordination across the 25 local government areas, the party would secure victory at all levels in the state.

In his remarks, the convener of the group, Sir Festus Ahon, said the initiative was established by his friends across the state to support the re-election of Governor Oborevwori.

Ahon said the group had coordinators and mobilisers across the local government areas, with the responsibility of taking the APC campaign to wards and polling units through door-to-door mobilisation and direct engagement with voters.

He said the group’s mandate was to ensure the victory of all APC candidates, from the presidential to the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly elections.

Ahon urged members to demonstrate commitment by reaching out to voters and preaching the message of the APC at the grassroots.

He also highlighted the Oborevwori administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education and healthcare, particularly the flyover projects in Warri and Ughelli and Agbor.

He said, the signing of the 13th-month salary bill into law was another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

Ahon expressed confidence that the administration’s performance would earn Oborevwori another term, urging members of the support group to intensify mobilisation efforts across the state.

He declared that the group would work from the presidential level down to the grassroots to ensure the re-election of Tinubu, Oborevwori and all APC candidates in 2027.

Earlier, Chairman of the Global Initiative Support Group for Sheriff 2027, Olorogun Josiah Ntekume, said the inauguration was aimed at strengthening the group’s grassroots mobilisation structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ntekume, who welcomed party leaders, supporters and members of the diaspora community, expressed appreciation to Arayenka for honouring the group with his presence through his representative, Amgbaduba.

He said the group’s mission was to mobilise support for the re-election of Oborevwori and all APC candidates, including President Tinubu, urging the newly inaugurated coordinators and canvassers to remain united, committed and dedicated to the assignment.

By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command, has arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, over the alleged sexual abuse of two underage girls aged 13 and 14 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspect, who is the pastor of New Generation Pentecostal Church in Amarata, Yenagoa, was arrested on Saturday following a complaint over the alleged abuse of the two victims said to be members of his church.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrest to journalists, stating that the suspect remains in custody while investigation is ongoing.

It was gathered that the 13-year-old victim hails from Abia State while the 14-year-old is an indigene of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to reports, the incident came to light after the 14-year-old girl informed her father, a police officer attached to the State Command.

The incident has attracted condemnation from women rights advocates, including the Bayelsa State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The organisations called for a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action, stressing the need to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairperson of FIDA Bayelsa, Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, said the association is following the case and will advocate for the rights, safety and confidentiality of the victims.

She urged the authorities to ensure diligent prosecution of the matter in accordance with the law, emphasizing that no religious position places anyone above the law.

By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prof. Theodore Allison, has declared that the party will deliver more than 30 per cent of votes in the state to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 general elections.

Allison, who spoke in an interview with journalists in Yenagoa, expressed confidence in the party’s growing political strength, saying it was also working to win the Bayelsa governorship election.

He said the ADC coalition was established to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose policies he described as anti-people, and redirect the country’s economy towards the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The ADC chairman disclosed that the party had fielded candidates for all 24 constituencies in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and all National Assembly seats in the state.

He expressed confidence in the candidates’ capacity to win elective positions at both state and federal levels.

Allison also accused President Bola Tinubu of pursuing a political agenda that undermined opposition parties, arguing that a leader confident in his achievements should welcome electoral competition and allow Nigerians to assess his performance.

“I don’t see any reason why someone who calls himself a strategist, who claims to have the heart of the people and listens to the yearnings of the people, should be afraid of the opposition,” he said.

He added that Tinubu should present his economic and political scorecard for Nigerians to judge rather than fear the opposition.

On the reported crisis within the Bayelsa ADC, Allison dismissed claims that the party had been factionalised, although he acknowledged disagreements among some members.

“As far as we are concerned, the ADC is not factionalised in Bayelsa State. Though there are aggrieved members and disagreements, we are open to dialogue to resolve all issues,” he said.

He stressed that the party was bigger than any individual and remained committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and adherence to its constitution.

According to him, the ADC’s distinguishing features include internal democracy, respect for its constitution and policies designed to protect the interests of future generations.

“What the ADC is trying to do differently is internal democracy. That is why we are structured in a way that there will be no internal capture of the party structure,” Allison said.

He accused those in power of being more interested in political control and personal enrichment than policies capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

On the party’s electoral prospects, Allison attributed his confidence to what he described as changing political dynamics and the movement of members of the ruling APC into the ADC.

“Let me make it clear, the ADC will win more than 30 per cent for our presidential candidate, Atiku, and that is the least. We are critically working to win the governorship seat as well,” he declared.

The ADC chairman urged voters to consider the country’s economic situation before deciding which candidates to support in 2027.

He cited the increase in petrol prices from about N120 per litre to N1,500 per litre, arguing that the rising cost of fuel had worsened the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.

Allison said the impact was particularly severe in riverine communities, where residents depend heavily on boats and other forms of water transportation.

“In my community in Southern Ijaw LGA, it takes about 270 litres to travel. Do you think people in my community will be naive enough to support a mandate that has brought hunger, borrowed so much money, and is deceiving people with a coastal road project?” he asked.

He further urged voters in the South to be more vocal in demanding accountability from elected officials, citing instances where residents in parts of northern Nigeria openly challenged APC campaigners over the party’s performance.

“In some areas in the North, as the APC goes to campaign, the electorate tells them to their faces that they don’t want them anymore. That is what we in the South lack. We should demand our rights,” Allison said.

The member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Jonathan Ukodhiko, has called for urgent government intervention to contain a gas leak following the collapse of Well 14 in Uzere community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ukodhiko made the call during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, where he expressed concern over the environmental and public health implications of the incident.

The lawmaker, who visited the palace of the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Udogiri I, said he had discussed the development with the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and would work with relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated response.

He also pledged to collaborate with the senator representing Delta South, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, to draw the attention of the National Assembly, the Federal Government and relevant agencies to the incident.

Ukodhiko assured residents that he would pursue the matter to ensure the gas leak was contained, affected residents were protected and the environmental consequences addressed.

Highlighting Uzere’s contribution to the nation’s oil industry, the lawmaker said the Uzere West and Uzere East fields comprised 43 oil wells and produced about 53,000 barrels of crude oil daily, according to figures he cited.

He maintained that the community deserved urgent attention, given its contribution to the country’s oil production and the potential dangers posed by the gas leak.

Responding, the Ovie of Uzere Kingdom, Udogiri I, commended Oborevwori for his concern and Ukodhiko for visiting the community to assess the situation.

The monarch described the incident as a serious threat, disclosing that residents living close to the affected areas had been relocated to safer locations.

He appealed to the government and relevant agencies to act swiftly, warning that the situation was deteriorating and required immediate intervention.

From the palace, Ukodhiko visited the country home of High Chief Iduh Amadhe before proceeding to the affected areas for an inspection.

Speaking with journalists after the visit, the lawmaker described the incident as a major environmental and public health concern, warning that its effects could extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the leak.

He assured residents that efforts were being made to address the situation, adding that remedial work would be undertaken when the floodwaters receded.

Ukodhiko commended the people of Uzere for remaining peaceful despite the challenges posed by the incident and urged them to remain calm while efforts to secure government intervention continued.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Friday Warri Ovoke, commended the governor and the federal lawmaker for their concern over the incident.

Ovoke disclosed that Oborevwori had earlier sent a team led by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas to assess the situation.

He called on Heritage Oil Company to take immediate steps to contain the leak, protect residents and prevent further environmental damage.

Similarly, the President-General of Uzere Kingdom, represented by the Chairman of the kingdom’s Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Columbus Oguname, expressed concern over the hardship caused by the incident.

Oguname raised the alarm over reports of increasing sickness and other health problems among residents since the gas leak occurred.

He appealed to Heritage Oil and relevant government authorities to intervene urgently and provide relief to affected residents.

The community leadership called for immediate containment of the leak, protection of public health and a comprehensive response to the environmental impact of the incident.

A concerned voice in Ughelli Kingdom, Delta State, Amb. Emmanuel Efeludu Kpohraror, has called on the state government to provide an update on the death of Adeda, questioning what he described as the apparent silence of Government House over the matter.

Kpohraror expressed concern that the case appeared to have been pushed aside, despite its significance to the Urhobo people, Ughelli Kingdom and the Otovwodo community.

It would be recalled that the after that death of Ekwevugbe Unity Adeda, the Delta State Government sets up committee of inquiry with two weeks mandate to unravel the cause of the death.

Two week have now turned into months without any statement from the state government committee that was set up

He called on the Commissioner for Information to clarify the government’s position, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Adeda’s death should not be overshadowed by political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recalling the attention given to the dispute involving Hon. Reuben Izeze and Temple, Kpohraror questioned why the matter involving Delta North and Delta Central had allegedly not received similar urgency.

“I can recall vividly when Hon. Reuben Izeze had issues with Mudi Temple, the issue was treated with urgency, but why is the one involving Delta North with Delta Central being swept under the carpet?” he asked.

Describing Adeda as a brother, friend, father, uncle and in-law, he said the concerns of those affected by the death should not be ignored while political activities take centre stage.

Kpohraror further expressed concern that the build-up to the 2027 elections could shift public attention away from the demand for answers over the incident.

“Now we are in electioneering period, Otovwodo, what are we saying about it? Are we focusing on politics, forgetting whom they forced to early death?” he queried.

He urged the state government and relevant authorities to provide clarification on the matter, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.

The concerns raised by Kpohraror have brought renewed attention to questions surrounding the case, with calls for the government to state its position and clarify the status of any investigation.