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Tonlagha: Forged in the Creeks, Bridging Nigeria to the World
Tonlagha: Forged in the Creeks, Bridging Nigeria to the World
•Quiet Power, Citizen Diplomacy and the Promise of Nigeria
By Jude Obioha
In a country where activism often clashes with national cohesion and where loud voices frequently overshadow steady hands, Matthew Tonlagha represents a rare Nigerian archetype. This bridge builder fights fiercely for his people while working tirelessly for the peace, stability and economic future of Nigeria. His journey from the creeks of the Niger Delta to global engagement is not merely a personal success story. It is a powerful narrative of resilience, citizen diplomacy and quiet nation-building.
Tonlagha’s story begins not with privilege but with adversity. Born into a disciplined military family in Delta State, his early life was marked by profound physical challenges after complications from an ill-administered polio vaccine impaired his mobility. For nearly a decade, he depended on his mother’s strength to attend school and navigate daily life. Social stigma, financial hardship and the early loss of his father could have silenced his ambitions. Instead, these experiences forged in him a deep empathy for the vulnerable and an unyielding commitment to service. His eventual recovery and rise stand today as a testament to resilience; a personal struggle transformed into a lifelong mission for collective empowerment.
From his earliest activism in the Benikrukru community in the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State, Tonlagha distinguished himself not only as a protester but also as an intellectual force behind the Niger Delta emancipation struggle. He confronted exploitation and neglect with courage, yet consistently advocated peaceful engagement, negotiation and constructive dialogue. Like many iconic leaders who understood that lasting change requires both firmness and foresight, he pursued justice for the Niger Delta without undermining Nigeria’s unity. This duality—fighting for regional equity while championing national stability—has defined his leadership philosophy.
His grassroots activism evolved into entrepreneurship and indigenous industrial growth through MATON Engineering Nigeria Limited, a company that has become a major employer and a driver of local capacity development. But Tonlagha’s influence extends far beyond boardrooms. As Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, he emerged as a critical private-sector partner in Nigeria’s oil security architecture. The success of efforts to curb oil theft, protect pipelines and restore production levels has had direct implications for national revenue, economic recovery and investor confidence. In a sector long plagued by instability, his role has been central to fostering sustained economic growth.
Yet perhaps the most compelling aspect of Tonlagha’s legacy is his understated philanthropy. He is a quiet humanitarian who has been funding scholarships, supporting widows and orphans, empowering youth through vocational training, and sustaining free feeding programmes without fanfare. His giving is not performative; it is rooted in lived experience and a belief that dignity must accompany assistance. This approach reflects a leader who remembers the pain of exclusion and seeks to build systems that offer opportunity rather than dependence.
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Tonlagha has emerged as an informal yet effective citizen diplomat. Through international engagements and policy advocacy, he contributes to shaping Nigeria’s global image, strengthening bilateral conversations and promoting economic diplomacy. In an era when official channels alone cannot capture the full spectrum of global influence, individuals like Tonlagha help bridge gaps by advancing national interests while fostering international goodwill. His work underscores a new model of diplomacy in which private citizens complement formal statecraft, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s strategic standing on the global stage.
What sets Tonlagha apart is not only the breadth of his engagements but the philosophy underpinning them. He embodies a generation of Nigerian leaders who believe that peace in the Niger Delta is complementary to Nigeria’s prosperity and that local development should align with national progress. His early activism against exploitation, including dramatic acts of defiance that drew attention to neglected communities, gradually evolved into a more nuanced strategy; one that combines dialogue, economic empowerment and security collaboration.
As he marked his golden jubilee in 2026, the outpouring of recognition from community leaders, national figures and global stakeholders revealed a man whose impact has long been felt but rarely publicised. Friends and admirers describe him as a peacemaker, a unifier and a patriot whose influence transcends ethnic and political boundaries. Indeed, his ability to convene diverse actors—from grassroots leaders to international partners—demonstrates a rare gift for consensus-building in a nation often divided by competing interests.
Nigeria’s future will depend not only on official institutions but also on citizens willing to shoulder responsibility beyond personal ambition. Tonlagha’s life offers a compelling blueprint: resilience forged through hardship, advocacy grounded in intellect and peace, economic empowerment anchored in indigenous enterprise, and diplomacy driven by patriotism rather than self-promotion. From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the corridors of international engagement, he has quietly shaped conversations on development, security and national cohesion.
In an age hungry for loud heroes, Tonlagha reminds us that the most enduring influence often operates in silence; building bridges where others see barriers, lifting communities where others see divisions, and proving that one individual, driven by empathy and vision, can help align regional emancipation with national unity. His story is not only a tribute to personal triumph but a reflection of the Nigeria that is possible when courage meets compassion and service meets strategy.
Obioha is the Director of Strategy at the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), a group dedicated to good governance in Nigeria.
Tonlagha: Forged in the Creeks, Bridging Nigeria to the World
Troops arrest suspected gun-runner in Taraba, recover weapons and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops deployed at Ibi and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari have arrested a suspected gun-runner and recovered weapons, ammunition, and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Taraba State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops acted on credible intelligence about a suspicious Peugeot vehicle heading toward the Ibi waterside area. The troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the vehicle and apprehended the suspect.
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Ibrahim, 48, from Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested during the operation.
Items recovered from him include six locally fabricated weapons bearing various registration numbers, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Peugeot 504 vehicle, a Q Seven mobile phone, seven bottles of perfume with rubbers, seven charms, one mentholatum rub, two small containers of Vaseline, and the sum of N1,400 in cash.
Military sources said the suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody and will be transferred to the Brigade Headquarters for further investigation.
The sources added that the general security situation within the Area of Responsibility remains calm but highly unpredictable, noting that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory.
The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and criminal activities in Taraba and adjoining areas.
Troops arrest suspected gun-runner in Taraba, recover weapons and ammunition
ISWAP kills professor in targeted abduction on Maiduguri-Damboa highway
By: Zagazola Makama
ISWAP terrorists have reportedly killed Professor Abubakar Mohammed el-Jumma of the Nigerian Army University Biu following a targeted abduction along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway on March 25, 2025.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, described as light-skinned foreigners, specifically targeted Professor el-Jumma, suggesting the abduction was premeditated. The perpetrators were reportedly in possession of his photograph before carrying out the attack, confirming that the operation was deliberate and planned.
Authorities have confirmed that no ransom demands were made and attempts to negotiate his release were unsuccessful. ISWAP later informed the family of Professor el-Jumma’s death and that his burial had been carried out within their enclave.
The incident demonstrates ISWAP’s growing capability to exploit local vulnerabilities with the support of spies and sympathizers.
The group’s targeting of high-profile individuals, including academics and community leaders, reflects a shift towards calculated kidnappings designed to spread fear and disrupt governance and education in the North East.
No official statement has yet been issued by Nigerian Army University Biu authorities regarding the incident.
ISWAP kills professor in targeted abduction on Maiduguri-Damboa highway
News
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Leaders, stakeholders, women and youths in Bayelsa East Senatorial District has perfected preparations to stage a peaceful protest against Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri over marginalization and neglect in political appointments in the government since inception.
The people of the east also deserves sensitive offices in the government for their resolute support for the government since inception, but they have been marginalized. The office of the deputy governor from the east will balance the political structure.
Marginalization of the east people in sensitive government appointments is an outright disrespect to the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Gen. Melford Okilo, and other leaders from the east senatorial district.
Even though the speaker of the state house of assembly is not considered, there are other competent individuals eminently qualified to handle the office of the deputy governor for the remaining years of the government.
The governor should consult former president, and other leaders from the east to chose a deputy governor from either Ogbia, Nembe or Brass.
The eastern region planned peaceful protest is a furtherance expression of dissatisfaction in accordance and solidarity with the group, the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress Grassroot Movement (BSAGM) condemnation of Governor Diri administration over marginalization of appointments.
According to the eastern people, the governor has consciously and deliberately marginalized the east in sensitive political appointments in the government, pointing out that all the top offices in the government are handled by his relatives from Kolokuma-Opokuma and Sagbama.
For instance; all government house appointments are handled by his relatives, the chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, Director of Domestic, Director of Transport, including S.A Political, and other sensitive appointments in the government.
Governor Douye Diri has deliberately neglected and marginalized the east, we will exercise our constitutional right of a peaceful protest to express our dissatisfaction to the world.
Since the creation of Bayelsa State, successive administrations had maintained political conglomeration across the three senatorial district in the state, but Diri administration had neglected the east from inception.
The east is only been marginalized, and neglected in Diri administration. Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan, Sylva, and Dickson carried out fair, equal appointments, infrastructure across the state, in their administrations.
Successive governments since 1999, had fairly and transparently distributed political appointments across the senatorial district, but the contrary is Diri’s administration.
It is absolutely unfortunate that the east had been undermined by Diri, running a one-sided government of Kolokuma-Opokuma, and the whole state is watching the government.
In exercise of constitutional right of a peaceful protest, the east will carry out a peaceful protest to government house next week to publicly express their dissatisfaction to the world over the undemocratic marginalization of appointments in Diri administration.
Signed:
Chief Samuel Azibator – Ogbia
High Chief Nengi Sylvanus -Nembe
Chief Williams Naworio – Brass
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
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