‎𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤: 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 (Dr.) 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 “𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤” 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞‎

‎Delta State, Nigeria —- While the world often looks at the Niger Delta through the narrow lens of industrial output, a different kind of story unfolded yesterday, January 23, 2026. In a move that blended grassroots activism with high-level advocacy, the Creek to Creek Movement, led by the charismatic High Chief (Dr.) Mike Ayapaye, navigated the winding waterways of Delta State on a mission to uncover the “hidden truths” of Nigeria’s creek communities.
‎
‎This wasn’t just a political stroll; it was a rigorous fact-finding expedition designed to bridge the gap between the neglected riverine populations and the corridors of power.
‎
‎The tour kicked off in Bomadi, where the team was met with a reception that can only be described as electric. However, beneath the cheers lay a sobering reality.
‎
‎ At Esenaebe Secondary School, the Vice Principal of Administration, Sir Egbe Victor, painted a stark picture for the delegation. Despite the resilience of the students, the facility is operating under duress. The school’s “must-have” list includes: A secure perimeter fence to ensure student safety, Urgent renovation of Science Laboratories and Modern equipment to move learning from theory to practice.
‎
‎The team moved to the Bomadi General Hospital, where Mr. Abukoye Ebiegberi Worthy, Zonal Auditor Bomadi Medical Zone delivered an exhaustive brief on the facility’s challenges. The laundry list of needs highlights a systemic neglect that the Movement aims to correct: From a desperate need for more doctors and a dedicated Corper’s lodge to Renovation of the theatre, laboratories, and the extension of antenatal wards and a call for steady power supply and a functional ambulance to navigate emergencies. High Chief Mike moved by compassion, met new born babies at the maternity ward, he provided financial support for the mothers and the new born.
‎
‎The journey continued to Enekorogha Community, where the primary adversary isn’t just neglect, it’s nature itself. As erosion threatens to swallow the waterfronts, the community leadership made an impassioned plea for: Shoreline protection to prevent the land from washing away; A modern Jetty and a Market Square to stimulate the local economy.
‎
‎In a rare moment of celebration, the community thanked the Movement for facilitating a Solar Light Project via the NDDC, proving that the group’s influence is already yielding tangible results.
‎
‎After engaging with the people of Enekorogha who are currently battling erosion and a lack of shoreline protection, the team made a critical stop at Egbaigolo (Gbaregolor) .
‎
‎In Egbaigolo, the delegation inspected the Esanma-Egbaigolo bridge that serves as the vital artery connecting Ughelli South to Burutu LGA and Bomadi Local Government Areas .The bridge has collapsed, effectively cutting off the community and paralyzing local commerce.
‎
‎The Creek to Creek Movement issued an urgent “clarion call” to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and the Delta State Government to swing into immediate action. The group emphasized that the bridge is a major economic booster; its current state isn’t just an inconvenience, it is a chokehold on the economic survival of the entire region.
‎
‎The final major stop was Esanma Community. Here, the conversation shifted to connectivity and the future of the youth. Sir Selemo Samson (CDC Chairman) and Madam Agbengben-ere Ebikake emphasized that without canalization, internal roads, and network access, the community remains isolated from the modern global economy. Their message was clear “We don’t just want aid; we want empowerment and jobs”.
‎
‎Reflecting on the day’s findings, Mr. Mathew Tamaratari Azazi, speaking for the Movement, did not mince words. He decried the “unacceptable level of neglect” suffered by these communities, noting that basic amenities taken for granted elsewhere remain a luxury in the creeks.
‎
‎”The Creek to Creek Movement is not just a name; it is a promise,” Azazi stated. “Under the amiable leadership of High Chief (Dr.) Mike Ayapaye, we will engage every level of government and every development partner to ensure these stories lead to action, not just archives.”
‎
‎The day concluded with a vibrant stop at the Bomadi Overside Market, where High Chief Mike Ayapaye personally pledged business support funds to local entrepreneurs, proving that while they wait for the government, the Movement is ready to act.
‎
‎The January 23rd tour served as a powerful reminder that the “Voice of the People” is loud, if only someone is willing to travel deep enough into the creeks to hear it. With the Creek to Creek Movement now armed with first-hand data, the pressure is on for developmental agencies to finally turn their gaze toward the water.
‎