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Enjoying a chilled cider in a hotel pool bar, former Nigerian militant leader Ebi John has a simple message for President Muhammadu Buhari - keep paying my men or risk a new insurgency in the Niger Delta. Tensions have been building in the southern swampland since Buhari said in his inauguration speech in May that he wanted to "streamline" an amnesty, that included stipend payments, agreed in 2009 with militants who were fighting for a greater share of oil revenues and hampering output in Africa's biggest producer. Buhari's spokesman Femi Adesina told Reuters the president wanted to continue the amnesty "as long as necessary" though it was not a long-term answer to the region's problems. But as details remain unclear, uncertainty has fuelled speculation that when the amnesty's original term ends in December, Buhari could halt or cut the benefits given to 30,000 youths and former militants aimed at discouraging them from blowing up pipeli...

Ex-militants from the Niger-Delta region have issued a warning to the Senate, asking them to screen the former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi. The group, under the aegis of Niger-Delta Coalition, referred to Amaechi as the Lion of the Niger Delta, describing him as a true change evangelist. Speaking to newsmen, the President of the group, Mr. Young Piero, who was flanked by his secretary, Toriomo Excel said “It is time for the Senate to recognised him and some others who worked for the peace enjoyed during the last general election. The Niger Delta Coalition does not see any reason why he  has not been screened by the Senate. He is a leader, a coach, an instructor, a mobiliser and a motivator who put his life, family and the lives of many that believed in the struggle to bring about the change Nigeria is talking about today.” He said “We supported Buhari-led APC because we wanted change. The Senate should know better that a fight against Ameachi is a fight ag...

The special assistant to the president on Niger Delta and coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programmed, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) yesterday in Abuja said the federal government remains committed to peace in the Niger Delta region and sustainable development of the region. He also revealed that 30, 000 youths have been captured in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, stressing that while some have graduated in various fields of learning, others are still undergoing various training both within and outside the country. Boroh said the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari is committed to the amnesty programme and is committed to the economic empowerment of youths in the region. Speaking when he played host to the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the special assistant said there is an urgent need for all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to synergise for the development of the region. He lamented that lack of synerg...

National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A has thrown its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s minister. The group noted that the nominees undergoing screening at the Senate are well deserved. The group’s National President, Mr Israel Akpodoro, stated this in Abuja at a meeting held by some ex-agitator from the Niger Delta to continue showing up their support to Buhari-led administration. According to the group, the painstaking efforts by the president at building a new Nigeria was evident in his choice of ministers, adding that the names as made public by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, was a proof to making Nigeria great once again. “It is indeed, another gesture from Mr. President on his commitments to move this nation forward, because, on the list, were those political personalities and technocrats who have lived above destructive sentiments in their efforts for building a virile nation for all Nigerians,” he said. Howeve...

The Edo Fire Service Department said on Sunday that it saved no fewer than 1,228 lives in the fire incidents across the state between January and June, 2015. The Public Relations Officer of the service, Frankly Agbolahor, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin. Mr. Agbolahor said that 1,118 fire outbreaks were recorded in the state during the period. Giving a breakdown of the figure, he said that 531 persons were rescued in January, 172 in February, 122 in March, 116 in April, 177 in May, and 111 in June. He said that although no life was lost during the incidents, property worth millions of Naira, including buildings, were destroyed. He said some of the lost property would have been saved but for the lack of access to the incidents sites. The spokesman attributed some of the incidents to electrical faults, and advised residents to disconnect all their electrical appliances when leaving home and clear the grasses near their fences. H...

I have read with great sense of awe and pity for the promoters of recent propagandas against Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa a onetime Special Assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. These media attacks against Dr. Dudafa has been promoted and piloted by no other person or persons than the incumbent governor of Bayelsa state and his media goons. Before I go on, it is imperative that I quote the Bayelsa state governor on the said Dr. Dudafa who they have found worthy of maligning. This statement was made on the day of the occasion of conferment of Doctor of Phillosophy Degree on the former Commissioner for Chieftaincy and local government affairs in Bayelsa state. Hear the governor-“Dr. Dudafa in his relatively young life has served Bayelsa State with distinction and consummate industry in every capacity in which his worthy endowments had been required at both the legislative and executive arms of governance… it is important that he is not losing sight of self-improvement, de...

The Nigerian Navy’s Central Naval Command in Bayelsa has destroyed 1,500 drums of diesel and one illegal oil refining camp in Ekpemu Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta. Real Admiral Apochi Suleiman, Flag Officer Commanding of the Command, who disclosed this on Sunday in Warri, said the operation was in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy Ship. Mr. Suleiman said that a 30-year-old lady and two men, suspected to be oil thieves, were also arrested during the operation. “The illegal petroleum refining camp destroyed is one of the major camps in the Niger-Delta region basically for illegal oil business. “In the camp, we also discovered 15 containers filled with oil products, 10 locally made boats and stolen crude oil. “The Nigerian Navy is ready to flush oil thieves out of the Niger-Delta region; there is no room for criminals in the waterways this season,” he said. Mr. Suleiman advised youth in the area to engage in legitimate business as the Navy ...

Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta and coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) yesterday revealed that 30, 000 youths have been captured in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme. He explained that while some have graduated in various fields of learning, others are still undergoing various trainings both within and outside the country. Boro maintained that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari remains committed to peace in the Niger Delta region and sustainable development of the region. Boroh, who spoke in Abuja while playing host to the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also expressed the commitment of the federal government to the amnesty programme and the economic empowerment of youths in the region. The special assistant said there was an urgent need for all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to synergise for the development of the region. He lamented t...