From Francis Sadhere, Delta

It was a celebration of infrastructure and loyalty recently as residents of Okpe Community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State marched through the streets of Kokori in a colorful procession to express appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the successful completion of the long-abandoned Okpe Street construction project.

The jubilant crowd—comprising elders, women and youths from the six polling units of the community—converged at the private residence of the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, who was instrumental in initiating and overseeing the project.Addressing the crowd, Dr. Oghenesivbe expressed gratitude for the show of appreciation, describing the visit as a heartwarming birthday gift, as it coincided with his birth anniversary.“I am very happy today, being my birth anniversary, that you deemed it necessary to appreciate our working governor, my leader and boss, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for a job well done,” Oghenesivbe said. “I will convey your appreciation to His Excellency and also present your gift to him.”He revealed that the project, along with that of Agbonmiyeri Street, was initiated during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2022, after his personal appeal.Governor Oborevwori, he said, ensured prompt release of funds and tasked the Ministry of Works (Rural), led by Commissioner Charles Aniagwu, to ensure quality execution.Oghenesivbe lauded both Governor Oborevwori and his predecessor for prioritizing infrastructural development in the state, urging eligible voters across Delta to rally behind the duo of Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.The joyous celebration also featured singing, dancing, and the presentation of a giant 4×6 glassed photo of Governor Oborevwori to Dr. Oghenesivbe, who received it on the governor’s behalf.Councillor representing Ward 12, Hon. Oghoghorie Vwede described the road’s completion as a long-awaited breakthrough.He praised Oghenesivbe for his relentless efforts in ensuring the project’s realization and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to political support in upcoming elections.“Okpe Street had been neglected for centuries, but today we are celebrating its transformation. We are proud of Dr. Oghenesivbe, a true son of the soil, and we are ready to reciprocate this gesture by voting en masse for Tinubu and Oborevwori in 2027,” Vwede said.With over 4,000 registered voters, Okpe Community has now publicly pledged its allegiance to the ongoing leadership in the state and the nation, turning a completed road project into a political statement of loyalty and gratitude.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

A mild confrontation broke out yesterday morning between protesting Itsekiri youths and some Ijaw youths at the NPA Miller Waterside area of Warri, Delta State, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ward and unit delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:45AM, saw tensions flare when the Itsekiri youths, who were peacefully protesting across designated streets in Warri, were reportedly attacked with stones by a group of Ijaw youths around the NPA Miller axis. Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, swiftly intervened to prevent further escalation. Military patrols have since been intensified around NPA Miller and the Ekurede Itsekiri/Ugbori end to maintain peace and order in the area.The protest by the Itsekiri youths is linked to allegations of bias and perceived irregularities in INEC’s recent ward delineation exercise, which they claim may disenfranchise their ethnic group within the Warri Federal Constituency.Meanwhile, in a bid to de-escalate tensions and foster dialogue, a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of the Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Urhobo ethnic groups has been convened in Abuja. The meeting, spearheaded by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is expected to commence at 12 noon Monday.The gathering aims to address the deepening ethnic concerns and maintain peace in the oil-rich and ethnically diverse Warri Federal Constituency.As the situation unfolds, security agencies remain on high alert, while local leaders and community stakeholders continue to call for restraint, tolerance, and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Panic and despair have gripped residents of Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State following a devastating coastal erosion and landslide incident that left many homes, farmlands, fish ponds, canoes and a major jetty destroyed.Several days after the disaster, affected residents are still reeling from the shock and now live in fear of another wave of erosion, which they say could permanently submerge the community.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Akugbene Community, Cletus Edougha, appealed to government agencies and humanitarian bodies to urgently provide relief materials to residents who have lost both shelter and their means of livelihood.A widow, Suogha Gbawei, tearfully recounted her losses and pleaded with the Delta State and Federal Governments to intervene swiftly. “We have been rendered homeless and hopeless. Everything we depend on to survive has been washed away,” she lamented.While the Member representing Bomadi–Patani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, has mobilized contractors with heavy equipment for temporary remedial work, residents insist that only a lasting solution—such as the construction of a shore wall—can save the community from complete extinction.Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Area, Dagidi Andaye, who visited the disaster site for an on-the-spot assessment, confirmed the scale of destruction and emphasized the urgent need for a permanent ecological intervention.“Akugbene is just one of the many riverine communities in Bomadi LGA facing this threat. Ninety percent of our communities are at risk due to persistent coastal erosion,” Andaye said. “For now, the council will provide palliatives and construct temporary shelters for displaced residents.”He urged the Federal and State Governments, as well as relevant interventionist agencies, to partner with the local government in combating the growing ecological challenge.While no lives were lost in the incident, Andaye praised the resilience of the community’s youths who worked tirelessly to protect the remaining portions of the damaged jetty from further destruction.As Akugbene counts its losses and hopes for swift government intervention, the disaster has once again brought to light the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable environmental protection measures for Delta State’s riverine communities.