Niger Delta
Imoke Assures On Calabar Carnival
Cross River State Gover
nor, Liyel Imoke, has flagged off the 2013 Carnival Calabar at Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort with the promise that this year’s edition will be bigger and better.
It would be recalled that Calabar Festival began in 2000 as a Christmas celebration for residents of Cross River, while its carnival component was introduced in 2005.
Calabar festival is easily the largest event of its kind and its carnival component acclaimed as Africa’s Biggest Street Party with no less than 500,000 visitors and 50,000 costumed revelers.
Imoke, who was speaking at the press conference to flag-off the event, said that this year’s carnival with the theme “Ain’t no stopping us’’ would be bigger and better than other editions.
Imoke told participants, including Nollywood stars and major corporate sponsors, at the conference that Nigerians and the global community were duly invited to “Africa’s Biggest Street Party’’.
He said that the 32-day festival would kick-off on November 30 with a tree lighting ceremony, building up to its climax on December 26 and 27.
He explained that the line-up of events had been informed by audience feedback and a desire to further increase the reach and range of the event.
“ Calabar Festival 2013 will be fresher, greener and most importantly meet the expectations of the audience and spectators.
“The traditional international partners Brazil (featuring Beija-Flor – Brazil’s most successful band at the Rio Carnival) and Trinidad and Tobago will be joined by Rwanda and France,’’ he said.
He said that the addition of these participants would add a fresh flavour to the festivities.
According to the governor, the presentation of James Ene Henshaw’s play “This is our chance’’ will herald a welcome return to theatre.
“Others include “Kakadu” the musical, a first time appearance of “Les Grandes Personnes,” a collection of storytellers, craftsmen and puppeteers, who create large-scale effigies and locally-based story line for street drama.
“They gained worldwide attention at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa,’’ he said.
He said that all musical performances would be by Nigerian artistes because the festival planning committee observed that Nigerian musicians pulled larger crowds than their international counterparts at previous festivals.
“Many of these artistes like P-Square and D’Banj have significant worldwide presence. The support today of major Nollywood stars, is therefore particularly significant,’’ the governor said.
He said that the festival village had been moved from the Cultural Centre to a larger space at the Calabar Municipality Grounds on Marian Road.
“Festival Village 2013 will feature the return of the popular Guinness Village for ‘over-18s’ and a new First Bank-sponsored Children’s Village and Santa’s Grotto for family fun.
“The Dangote Group will again be the main sponsor of the Children’s Carnival,” the governor said.
Imoke said that various charity events to raise money for youth empowerment programmes and the under-privileged would be part of the activities.
“For the first time this year, there will be a Green Ball, a charity event with an environmental conscious theme,’’ he said.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.