Niger Delta
Prostitute Loses Eyes To Ritualists, Boy Saved
A young lady believed to be
a sex-worker is now battling with blindness following the gouging out of her two eyes by suspected ritualists. The incident happened around the Bayelsa Palm road, while the lady is lying at the emergency ward of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa
The victim whose name was not immediately known was said to have been invited along with two other prostitute by persons driving in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for a rendezvous at a community outside Yenagoa with a promise of N30,000 negotiated price.
But while other girls refused to go with them, the victim said to have hailed from Akwa Ibom State went alone with them.
The men were said to have stopped at a bush path, and after raping her, plucked out her eyes.
Her cry of anguish by the roadside later attracted sympathisers who took her to the police station. The police after preliminary investigations sent her to the FMC for medical attention.
But a consultant at the centre who pleaded anonymity said that the case has been handed to the state directorate of social welfare as the lady is yet to have visits from any of her relations.
She is said to be a resident prostitute of the notorious Yenagoa red light district called Good-Evening Street in Hospital Road, Yenagoa
Also, policemen of the State Special Security outfit, Operation Door Akpo have thwarted attempt by an angry mob to set ablaze a suspected ritualist over alleged abduction of a six years old boy along the Azikoro Village area of Yenagoa Local Council Area of the state.
The victim, it was gathered is a scavanger who is popularly called Aboki.
Eyewitness told The Tide that “Aboki” had asked the victim to get him a sachet of water and when the boy came with the water, the suspect gagged him and put him inside a sack.
“He fixed cotton wool inside the boy’s nose and tied up the sack and it dropped inside the truck he was pushing while pretended to continue his business of hitting the truck and calling on residents interested in selling unused iron materials.”
Luck however ran out on him when another boy he sent on errand to buy biscuit saw him putting the boy in the sack and he reported what he witnessed to some mansons working in a nearby building.
Contacted on the development, the spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said though the detail on the two incidents were not available, “the command is doing everything to ensure security of lives and property in the state.
Hon Levi Gogo Charles, (left) Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning disscussing with Mr Kelicous Amos, Project Cordinator SEEFOR project at an orientation programme for youths engaged in public works (road maintenace) at the Ministry of Justice conference hall recently. Photo: Prince Dele Obinna
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.