Opinion
Rivers State And Youth Empowerment
It is a known fact that the future of any nation lies on its youths. No wonder successive governments all over the world place emphasis on the training and empowerment of its youth, as the principle means of securing the future of the youth and the nation.
Here in Rivers State the story is not different as successive governments in the state have had one form of youth empowerment programme or the other aimed at empowering the youth.
The Rivers State Governor Rt. Honourable Chibuike Amaechi, through the Ministry of Youth is to be commended for putting in place the various youth empowerment programmes aimed at empowering the youth and reducing unemployment in the state.
Recently, the state government through the Ministry of Youth distributed application forms to unemployed youths who wish to be trained in any form of vocation of their choice. At various points of distribution, we observed a long queue of youths struggling to have these form from the ministry officials. Many observers are worried that these method employed by the state government in curbing unemployment is ineffective as many who collected the forms never turned up for the training but were rather interested in collecting the unspecified amount paid by the state government for them to start their businesses at the end of the programme. It is worrisome to observe that many have failed to utilise this laudable gesture by the state government, to such ones, this programme has become the means they partake of the proverbial national cake. No wonder, every year millions of Naira is sunk into this programme but millions of youths still roam the street without work.
The Rivers State Ministry of Youths should recognize that to be successful in empowering the youths of the state, there is need for innovation and creativity. Therefore, a departure from the old methods which have not been successful.
For example, improving facilities at the state technical colleges could go a long way in empowering the youths of the state.
Technical colleges were established in different parts of the state to train students on skills like welding and fabrication, electrical and electronic works, mechanical works, painting, arts, hair dressing and dress making. The aim was to train youths who are gifted in various skill who after graduation will be well equipped to practice in their various areas of training.
Unfortunately these technical colleges are poorly equipped as most technical colleges lack functional laboratories well equipped classrooms, technical tools necessary for the training of students. The effect of this is that many graduants of these colleges are poorly trained and are incapable of practicing in their area of training.
Observers are of the view that government should look critically into these areas. They should equip government technical colleges, encourage enrolment into these colleges, and give grants to graduants to enable them start their own trade after graduation.
Youths that have had adequate training in technical colleges will unlikely use grants given by the Rivers State government for any other purpose. Imagine the thousands of students graduated from these colleges each year, if there are well equipped and assisted to establish their own businesses will have a multiplier effect graduants can train other thus, increasing the number of skilled youths in the state and also curbing the problem of unemployment in Rivers State.
Another area that the youths can be empowered is through the School to Land Programme. The School to Land Programme was a laudable programme in the early 1980’s. Through the programme youths of the state were given training in fish farming, poultry farming and other farming skills. This no doubt helped in reducing unemployment rate among school leavers.
Today nothing is heard about the School-to-Land programme. The Rivers State government is hereby adviced to resocilitate the proramme. Many unemployed youths can be gainfully employed through this programme, especially now that there is limited employment opportunity in many corporate organisation today. By building school to land facilities in all local government headquarters in Rivers State, equipping the centres and encouraging young school leavers to take up farming as their occupation.
Agriculture is the main stay of many economies of the world. Countries like Malasyia, Indonesia, Philippines have turn their economy around through a well developed agricultural sector. T he benefit of a well developed agricultural sector are numerous. It provides food, shelter, and most importantly employment to its citizens.
Recently, the Rivers State through registered micro finance banks granted soft loans to youths in the state who are willing to go into entrepreneurship to enable them raise the needed capital necessary to start a business of their own.
The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Rt. Honourable Chibuike Amaechi is highly commended for setting this laudable programme. Therefore, youths of Rivers State are encouraged to utilise this opportunity and get involved in any productive venture of their choice.
Youths in rural areas should not be left out. They should be enlightenment programme in the rural areas to enable youths in rural areas benefit from the programme.
Above all, the Ministry of Youths in the state should put in place a programme of action geared toward youths re-orientation. Or youth monitoring. This is a situation whereby experience persons advice and help inexperience youth over a period of time. Government has a role to play in this regard. It should lay more emphasis on mentoring the youths in the state to enable them acquire new skills and be gainfully employed. Especially those who had been exposed to militancy require at this time is mentoring to enable them gain new knowledge on positive thinking as well as learn new and profitable vocation so as to fit into the world of work and entrepreneurship. By doing this they will find themselves in the position of authority especially within the petroleum industry and other agro-allied businesses in the state.
The advantages of mentoring are improving self esteem, exposure to new resources, increasing new partners and jobs as well as keep youths off street, access to new ideas and providing advocacy. Therefore, will enable effective transfer of knowledge and life skills for future generations.
Youth mentoring is one of the most important recipes that could make the youth acquire a sense of moral rectitude.
Charles wrote from University of Port Harcourt.
Okorafor Charles
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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