Rivers

RSG Urged To Sustain RSNC

Published

14 years ago

December 5, 2011

The former President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Senibo Sofiri, Bobo Brown has appealed to the Rivers State Government to evolve policies that would promote the sustainability of the state-owned Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), “The Tide, so as to enable the newspaper serve the purpose for which it was established.

Senibo Sofiri Bobo Brown made the appeal during the lecture session of the programme of events to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the newspaper corporation held at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt last Friday.

The former NIPR boss who chaired the lecture session explained that the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), The Tide was established by the first Military Administrator of the old Rivers State, Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff as a platform to bear the identity of the state in the then contemporary Nigerian society.

He stated that The Tide was established to be the voice of the southern minorities and served as an avenue for which the state could compete among other states in the country.

According to the former president of the NIPR, The Tide also serves as a torch bearer to the people of the state, adding that the Southern Nigeria used the establishment of various state print media to maintain their identity in the country.

“Our people tried to be heard through political participation, struggle to exist but of no avail. We have The Chronicle, Observer and The Tide, all were created to bear the identity of the region and give life to the people,” he stated.

He called on the state government to assist the corporation especially in the area of finance to enable it keep the faith of the founding fathers alive, adding that the corporation reminds the people of their history in the emerging Nigerian nation.

The chairman commended the management and staff of the corporation on the 40th anniversary celebration and urged them to continue to keep the spirit alive.

In his address at the event, the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Mr. Celestine Ogolo stated that the newspaper remains unarguably the only surviving and thriving state-owned newspaper in Nigeria.

Mr. Ogolo noted that the newspaper had operated in consonance with the dictates of modern information and communication technology, and had rightfully assumed its place as the authoritative voice of the Niger Delta which is a fulfillment of the dreams of the founding fathers.

The general manager disclosed that the RSNC was established by Edict No 11 of 1971 by the then Military Administrator, Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff which propelled the first launch of copy of the newspaper in Lagos on December 1, 1971 while the actual marketing and circulation of the newspaper started on December 4, the same year.

He recalled that the newspaper had led other newspapers in the early 70’s due to the robust government’s funding and the state of the art facilities it had, adding that the corporation had over the years been the major lubricant, catalyst and driver of the development paradigm of the state.

Mr. Ogolo lauded the founding fathers for their dreams that led to the establishment of the paper, adding that at 40 years of its existence, both the government and the people of the state should be delighted and proud that the newspaper had survived and met its mandate to Rivers State.

The general manager, while thanking various successive governments of the state for their efforts in keeping the newspaper afloat at a time when all government-owned newspapers in the country had either gone under or were managing to retain their sizeable staff assured that the newspaper would continue to fulfil its objectives to the people despite the huge challenges facing it.

Earlier in their separate lectures presentations, entitled “media-oil industry partnership for sustainable Development and the state media: the way forward presented by professor Ben Naanen and Mr. Ray Ekpu.

In his presentation, Prof Ben Naanen defined sustainable development as any development that meets the needs of the present without compromising he ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

He said given by the role of the media, the media would over has been vocal in exposing he environmental crimes of oil companies likening such relationship between the oil companies and the media as analogous to that between cat and the mouse.

However, he said the media can help in shaping and in generating awareness of oil companies especially in community solid responsibility programmes.

Mercy Awari & Beauty Abraham

Rivers

Rivers To Honour Veterans In 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, has reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the welfare of military veterans, widows of fallen heroes, and officers currently serving in the State, saying they will be honoured this year.

Dr. Anabraba made this known during the Central Planning Committee meeting for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held in Port Harcourt.

He commended members of the Committee for their contributions to the successful Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently conducted in the State and urged them to intensify efforts to ensure a resounding success in the remaining activities lined up for the celebration.

According to him, activities commenced with Juma’at Prayers on Friday, January 9, at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township.

As part of events marking this year’s event, a special engagement was also hosted by the wife of the State Governor, Her Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, to honour, celebrate, and interact with widows and veterans.

On Saturday, January 10, a Humanitarian Outreach, Family and Community was hosted for widows and veterans by Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the State Governor.

Yesterday, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service was also held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township.

The grand finale, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony, is billed to take place on Thursday, January 15, at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba noted that a major highlight of the programme would be the laying of wreaths by the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the State.

Rivers

Police Recover Remains Of Missing Man, Arrest 2 Suspects In Rivers … 12 More Suspects Over Mbodo-Aluu Attack

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has recovered the remains of the late Sampson Worianime, who was declared missing on November 11, and arrested two suspects linked to the case.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects were arrested following investigations into the crime.

Iringe-Koko recalled that Worianime was declared missing after accompanying an unnamed community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in the Okrika area of Rivers State to inspect and measure a parcel of land.

She explained that following the report to the police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Worianime’s disappearance.

“Upon receipt of the petition, we commenced intelligence-led policing, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community”, she said.

According to her, the suspects, during investigations, confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area.

She said one of the victims, whose identity was not disclosed, escaped, while Worianime was killed.

She added that the suspects later led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered from a shallow grave.

“The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime”, Iringe-Koko stated.

In a another development, the Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack of Unity Estate on Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group, alongside hired thugs, reportedly invaded the estate on January 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“The assailants allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and fear among residents”, she said.

She continued that the estate suffered significant damage, with several vehicles destroyed during the attack.

“One of the residents, Stephen Nmacha, sustained a shattered leg from gunshot injury and was subsequently abducted by the attackers.

“He was later rescued by police operatives and is currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”, she said.

Iringe-Koko further disclosed that several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.

She listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one automatic pump-action gun, a live cartridge, spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna bus.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and reprehensible.

He noted that vigilante groups were legally required to operate strictly under police supervision, and questioned why the group failed to coordinate with the police.

Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects involved in the attacks, including the Akpor Commander of vigilante group, currently at large.

“We call on members of the public to provide credible information that will assist the Command in apprehending the fleeing suspects”, Adepoju urged.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Community Warns TotalEnergy, Others Over Entitlement In Bonny

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House in Bonny have accused TotalEnergies, Amni International and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited of sidelining legitimate landowners in Bonny, Rivers State, in a manner community leaders warn could trigger unrest.

This, they said, will likely negatively affect ongoing construction projects along the Bonny 48” Offshore Loading Line.

A statement issued by the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House spokesman, Dr. Fidelis Jumbo, alleged that the companies have been dealing solely with the Brown House while neglecting the joint ownership structure legally established for the land where the project sits.

“This stretch of land belongs jointly to the Jumbo House, the Brown House, and Bonny Kingdom on a 30-30-40 basis.

“For the Brown House to present itself as the sole landlord is bereft of altruism and sincerity. TotalEnergies, Amni and Renaissance must retrace their steps to forestall avoidable crisis”, Dr. Jumbo said.

The land in contention hosts the pipeline route being constructed by TotalEnergies to convey gas from Amni International’s offshore facility to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) operated by Renaissance.

Referencing a 1972 agreement signed by representatives of the Jumbo House, Brown House and Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Jumbo noted that all six original signatories had long passed, stressing that no party has the authority to unilaterally alter the established structure.

Chairman of the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Sunju-Jumbo, said peace in Bonny depends heavily on respect for due process.

“We want peace in this Kingdom. Whatever our forebears agreed on must be upheld. Why should the Brown House present themselves as the only family TotalEnergies should talk to? We cannot take it. We will not allow it”, Sunju-Jumbo said.

He stressed that the Kingdom ought to show greater interest in the project, given its implications for the two primary families and Bonny’s traditional authority.

Despite protests, checks at the project site confirmed that construction continued uninterrupted, a development some observers described as “corporate insensitivity.”

Community leaders allege they were excluded from a November 12, 2025, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting in Port Harcourt.

A former senior oil and gas executive, who requested anonymity, criticized the companies’ posture.

“In this age where everything is being done to de-escalate tension in the energy sector, such corporate misdemeanour is shocking”, he said. “How do you disrespect and disenfranchise landowners of their own property? Bonny Kingdom is taking a whole lot of nonsense.”

As of press time, TotalEnergies and Amni International were yet to react on the matter.

By: Enoch Epelle