African Pride Media

By Wilson Macaulay In a vibrant and heartwarming ceremony held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Ishaka Hotel, Refinery Road, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, the Herpotential Special Needs Initiative was officially launched. A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of popular entertainer MC Emmaralo as the NGO’s Brand Ambassador. The launch event drew notable dignitaries, community stakeholders, educators, clergy, and health professionals, all united in support of the initiative’s mission: to empower and support children—particularly the girl child with special needs—in Delta State and beyond. A Laudable Vision Commended The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Dr. Philip Ariakpoyeri Ileleji, a Chartered Accountant and lecturer at Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, described the NGO as “a laudable dream that requires the support of men and women of goodwill.” During the press briefing, Dr. Ariakpoyeri commended the founders, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ukpetenam, for their unwavering commit...

  By Wilson Macaulay  In a glowing commentary in respect of   the recent birthday celebration of Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State, on Political Matters, Hon. Comr. Francis Obule JP, has commended the young leader for his exemplary conduct, people-oriented values, and unprecedented empowerment efforts. According to Hon.Comrade Francis Obule, the remarkable show of leadership and generosity displayed by Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr is a direct reflection of the strong upbringing he received from his father, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State. > “We have witnessed many governors from both  the North and South since independence, but none have produced a son like Sheriff Oborevwori Jnr,” said Hon. Obule. “The values, humility, and commitment to empowering others that Sheriff Jnr has shown are rare and commendable.” The highlight of the celebration was an empowerment initiative wort...

 By Wilson Macaulay The Urhobo Nation is mourning the death of Olorogun Oskar Ibru, with tributes pouring in from leaders and citizens alike. His passing, described as shocking and untimely, has left a deep void in Delta State and beyond. Reacting to the loss, Hon. Comrade Francis Obule JP, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Political Matters, said Oskar’s death is “a monumental blow to the Urhobo people and Nigeria at large.” He described the late Oskar as a dependable, illustrious son of Urhobo land whose humility and jovial spirit endeared him to many. Obule recalled Oskar’s lively presence during the 2007 Governorship election that brought DR Emmanuel Uduaghan and the inauguration of the Chief Askia Ogieh-led board of DESOPADEC  noting his laughter, warmth,  humility , love , constant jokes, and  warm   affection which  shows that  Olorogun  Oskar Ibru was a good leader. Your smile always brightened the room. We calle...

By Wilson Macaulay Warri, Delta State – Anger is boiling over in the Niger Delta as the Movement for the Survival of the IZON Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Western Zone, has launched a blistering attack on Hon. Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, accusing him of betraying the oil-rich communities of Delta State and reducing his NDDC office to a tool of nepotism and neglect. In a statement laced with outrage, MOSIEND Chairman Comrade Graham Abulu minced no words:  “Hon. Igbuya has failed the Niger Delta. He came to the NDDC Board with no vision, no blueprint, and no will to fight for our people. Instead, he has chosen nepotism and favoritism over justice and equity. We cannot and will not accept this betrayal.” MOSIEND alleged that Igbuya’s representation has deliberately sidelined Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri and the oil-producing communities while enriching political cronies. They demanded immediate project accountability, insisting that billions of NDDC funds have not translated ...

  By Wilson Macaulay A storm of condemnation has trailed recent allegations by Jude GbabooPr against Tantita Security Services, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the leadership of Chief (Dr.) Dennis Brutus Otuaro. In a strongly worded statement issued by Niger Delta leaders, Gbaboyor was accused of fabricating malicious claims designed to discredit the achievements of Tantita Security and undermine the peace and progress of the region. > “Let us be clear—Tantita has not killed anyone in Rivers State, nor has it engaged in kidnapping or operated illegal detention facilities as falsely claimed by Jude. These are baseless lies aimed at sowing chaos,” the statement read Tompolo’s Impact Lauded Since taking the reins, Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services has been widely acknowledged for changing the narrative of security and stability in the Niger Delta. The company has been credited with stemming oil thef...

By Wilson Macaulay  Warri, Delta State – It was an outpouring of goodwill and heartfelt felicitation as General Godstime Ogidigba, fondly called General Oloye, Chief of Staff to the PAP Third Phase Leadership, extended warm congratulations to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), on the occasion of his birthday. In a statement personally signed, General Ogidigba described Dr. Otuaro as “a visionary leader, bridge-builder, and patriotic son of the Niger Delta whose commitment to peacebuilding, empowerment, and human capital development has repositioned the PAP office as a beacon of hope for ex-agitators and the wider Niger Delta community.” According to him, Dr. Otuaro’s leadership style, anchored on humility, inclusiveness, and transparency, has inspired renewed confidence in the amnesty programme and strengthened the Federal Government’s efforts toward sustaining peace in the oil-rich region. “On this special day of yours, we in the PAP ...

By Wilson Macaulay Yenagoa – The leadership of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has petitioned the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, urging him to intervene and call Mr. Elaye Slaboh to order over what they described as “a grave threat to peace and security in the Niger Delta region.” In a strongly worded petition dated 29th September 2025, and addressed to the Governor’s office in Yenagoa, the PAP leaders accused Slaboh, who hails from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, of parading himself as the National Chairman of the Third Phase PAP despite the expiration of his tenure on September 16, 2025. According to the petition, Mr. Slaboh’s refusal to relinquish office, coupled with his continued misrepresentation, risks igniting confrontation and crisis among the PAP Phase 3 leadership and delegates, thereby undermining the fragile peace in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large. The petitioners, led by Comrades Ben Tray an...

By Wilson Macaulay WARRI,  Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Comrade Francis Obule JP, has urged the political class of Okpe extraction in Delta Central Senatorial District to shun any plan of contesting the forthcoming 2027 gubernatorial primaries against Governor   Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori in APC or any other political Party. Speaking with journalists in Warri during the passage rites of the mother of Dr. Toyin Agbolayah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development, Obule emphasized the importance of unity and political decorum, stressing that the Okpe Urhobos and indeed the Urhobo nation must rally behind Governor Oborevwori for his second term bid. Drawing parallels from recent political trajectory, Obule noted that during the tenure of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, no Itsekiri politician challenged him within his party. Similarly, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa enjoyed the loyalty of his Aniom...

By Wilson Macaulay  WARRI  The Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) – Nigeria Chapter, Delta State Branch has officially launched the National Community Violence Reduction Programme (NCVRP) in Delta State, alongside the Grassroot Peace and Security Assessment, in a bid to strengthen peace and security across communities. The event, held on Friday, September 19,  2025, at the Petroleum Training institute Library Conference Room coincides with global preparations for the 2025 International Day of Peace themed “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” Speaking at the briefing, the Delta State Coordinator of RAGFP, Past Assistant Governor (PAG) Mfon Otite-Douglas, described peace as the bedrock of development and prosperity. She stressed that the NCVRP was designed to tackle terrorism, banditry, cultism, youth restiveness, and gender-based violence, while restoring dignity and opportunities to vulnerable communities. “Peace is not automatic; it must be built, nurtured, and defended ev...

  By Wilson Macaulay Warri,  A storm of discontent is brewing in the Niger Delta as the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Western Zone, has issued a scathing indictment of Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, Commissioner representing Delta State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In a hard-hitting statement, MOSIEND, through its Western Zone Chairman, Comrade Graham Abulu, accused Hon. Igbuya of sentimental representation laced with nepotism, a posture they claim has sidelined critical oil-producing communities, especially the Ijaws and Urhobos in  Delta State. The group alleged that Hon. Igbuya has deliberately neglected the needs of Ijaw and  Urhobo communities while prioritizing sectional interests, thereby undermining development in a region already groaning under the weight of poverty, environmental degradation, and neglect. “MOSIEND strongly frowned at the nonchalant attitude of Hon. Igbu...

By Wilson Macaulay,   WARRI NIGERIA  General Godstime Ogidigba, the newly elected  National Chairman and the  leadership of the Phase 3 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has extended their  heartfelt congratulations to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi  Fubara, and the 23  Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing their democratic victory and cooperation as a beacon of stability in the Niger Delta. In a statement signed by the newly elected National Chairman of PAP Phase 3, Gen. Godstime Ogidigba, the group also lauded the extraordinary peacebuilding role played by High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. According to the statement, Tompolo’s recent 52nd birthday anniversary transcended the usual celebrations, transforming into a historic platform that facilitated the reconciliation between Governor Fubara and his political leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ...

Nepal, a small Himalayan nation nestled between India and China, has become an unexpected symbol of political turbulence in South Asia. In recent months, mounting hunger, insecurity, failing healthcare, and corruption have pushed citizens to the brink, sparking widespread protests that rattled the administration of President Ram Chandra Paudel, who assumed office in March 2023. Although Paudel remains in power, the intensity of the demonstrations—driven largely by young people the Gen Z generation —has forced global observers to reflect on the deeper message emerging from Nepal to nations  round the world where governance have failed to address citizens’ needs, and public patience runs out. For Nigeria, where similar socio-economic grievances fester, Nepal’s crisis indeed serve as a mirror and a warning. A Cry from the Streets of Kathmandu In Nepal, discontent has been building for years, but recent protests marked a turning point. Citizens, particularly the Gen Z generation, mobil...

  By Wilson Macaulay The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Delta State Chapter, has passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the immediate past Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, in recognition of their unwavering support towards the host communities of the state. The commendation came during the official opening of the newly remodeled and upgraded HOSTCOM Secretariat located at Plot 11, Uti Street, off PTI Road, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. The historic event, which drew host community leaders from across the six oil-bearing ethnic nationalities, was marked by speeches of gratitude, unity, and renewed commitment to the welfare of host communities. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Delta State HOSTCOM Chairman, Senior Comrade Sunday Ndidi Enujeke, said the Secretariat was remodeled and reopened after extensive renovation works, aimed at optimizing the working e...

  By Wilson Macaulay The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Delta State Chapter, has passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the immediate past Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, in recognition of their unwavering support towards the host communities of the state. The commendation came during the official opening of the newly remodeled and upgraded HOSTCOM Secretariat located at Plot 11, Uti Street, off PTI Road, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. The historic event, which drew host community leaders from across the six oil-bearing ethnic nationalities, was marked by speeches of gratitude, unity, and renewed commitment to the welfare of host communities. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Delta State HOSTCOM Chairman, Senior Comrade Sunday Ndidi Enujeke, said the Secretariat was remodeled and reopened after extensive renovation works, aimed at optimizing the working e...

By Wilson Macaulay In my earlier article, “How the Colonization of the Moon Began,” I argued that the struggle in space had gone far beyond planting flags on distant worlds. Today, that struggle has evolved into a contest over who controls the affairs of the earthly universe itself. A New Phase of the Space Race Once, the Cold War defined space politics. The U.S. and the Soviet Union raced to the Moon, with the American flag finally triumphing in 1969. But in 2025, the battle has shifted. It is no longer about who gets there first—it is about who stays, controls, and benefits. Senator Ted Cruz recently warned during a Senate hearing that “we are in a new space race, and China is closing in fast.” His concern underscores a reality: the outcome of this rivalry will not only determine who walks on the Moon next, but who reaps the trillion-dollar rewards tied to lunar resources, satellite economies, and orbital security. U.S.–China Rivalry: Security Meets Economics NASA’s Artemis program—n...

  By Wilson Macaulay The leadership of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Delta State Chapter, has reacted strongly to a recent publication titled “DESOPADEC: The Drift From Mandate: A Call for Developmental Accountability in Delta State” authored by faceless individuals. Speaking on behalf of HOSTCOM, Senior Comrade Sunday Ndidi Enujeke, Chairman of HOSTCOM Delta State, described the publication as “unfortunate, misleading and politically motivated write-up, riddled with half-truths and deliberate misinformation aimed at discrediting DESOPADEC and the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, the Talk-Na-Do Governor and Mr. Project of Delta State.” Comrade Enujeke stated that contrary to insinuations of “drifting from mandate,” DESOPADEC remains firmly committed to its statutory objectives of developing oil-producing communities. He emphasized that roads, schools, health centres, and rural electrification projects re...

  By Wilson Macaulay Warri, Delta State — The Urhobo Youth Wing of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) has issued a strong rebuttal to the recent call by Mr. Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as “Mayor” Akpodoro, who demanded that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) render public accounts of stewardship. In a statement released in Warri and signed by Sweet Otiotio, Leader of the Urhobo HOSTCOM Youth Wing, the group described Akpodoro’s remarks as “baseless, misleading, and tainted with questionable motives,” insisting that the current administration of Governor Oborevwori and the DESOPADEC Board under Chief John Nani have been transparent and effective in managing resources meant for host communities. The HOSTCOM youths also accused Akpodoro of impersonation, stressing that he is parading himself with titles never conferred on him by the Urhobo people. “At no time did the Urhobo nation co...

  By Wilson Macaulay,  Warri, Delta State – In a startling revelation that has shaken Delta State, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Warri Zone, has uncovered a fake medical facility in Udu allegedly operating as a baby factory. The discovery was made during the association’s routine monitoring exercise aimed at fishing out quacks and unregistered medical centres in the zone. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Independent, Chief Dr. Bright Djebah, Chairman of NMA Warri Zone, which covers Warri metropolis, Uvwie and Udu, confirmed the incident. He revealed that the operation was spearheaded by his executive team as part of their monthly zonal checks.  “This was as a result of our Excos’ routine monthly zonal monitoring of our zone for medical quacks and unregistered hospital facilities, ably led by me,” Dr. Djebah explained. The illegal facility, identified as Blessed Gifted Hospital, is  located at 17 Orhuwhorun Road, near Silver Link Hotel, Udu. Acc...