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Rivers

Highlight Dangers Of Cultism, RSG Charges NOA

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Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Emeka Woke (2nd left), in a handshake with Chairman, National Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, while the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Sir Clifford N. Walter (3rd left) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Clara Tam Nmebe watch, at a public function in Port Harcourt, recently.

Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Emeka Woke (2nd left), in a handshake with Chairman, National Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, while the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Sir Clifford N. Walter (3rd left) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Clara Tam Nmebe watch, at a public function in Port Harcourt, recently.

Mr Amos Kelsius, The
Rivers State  Coordinator, State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) of the European Union, Mr. Amos Kelsius yesterday said 2,500 youth would be employed through the project.
Kelsius told newsmen in Abuja that the youth were expected to be employed in the informal sector in the state.
He said they would be trained in welding, fabrication, electronic and fashion designing and other skills.
Our Correspondent  reports that the SEEFOR is a project being funded through an EU 80 million Euro support programme in collaboration with the World Bank.
The project is being implemented by the National Planning Commission in four pilot states in the Niger-Delta mainly Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers.
Kelsius said that no fewer than 800 jobs had been generated for the youth in the state, adding that more youth would benefit from the project by the last quarter of the year.
“A lot of youth have been given employment through our Public Works Programme and technical and vocational schools owned by government in the state have also received a boost.
“We have built the capacity of instructors in those schools; we have provided them with instruction materials, and are trying to improve the capacity of students as well.
“ The momentum to reform the public funds is also on going and we are doing some reforms in budgeting under the project,’’ he said.
On the payment of counterpart funding, he said that Rivers State Government had complied with the funding in implementing the project.
He said that the benefiting states were expected to pay N150 million per annum for a period of five years.
“We contributed N150 million in 2014 and we are planning to pay this year.’’
Kelsiu, however, said that the state was facing some challenges in implementing the public work component of the project, noting that the state experienced delay in safety issues.
The coordinator also said that the state had faced challenges in the management of the youth and their expectations.
In addition to close marking the youth, he said they needed to close mark the contractors to achieve success in the project.
“The tax implementation is the greatest area we are having challenges in public works but we have devised strategies to handle the challenge,’’ he said.
The coordinator said that the project had enhanced the opportunities for employment and access to socio-economic services in the state.
He said that the project had also improved the expenditure management in the state and exposed the trainees to the possibility of getting jobs in the formal sector.
“There is possibility for the trainees to get jobs in formal sectors as some construction companies have already indicated interest in employing them.
“We will further train them so that they can be relevant in other sectors of the economy apart from the construction sector,’’ Kelsius said.

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Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

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The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

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CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.
Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.
He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.
“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.
He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.
Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.
Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.
He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.
He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.
He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.
A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.
He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.
Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.
On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo,  called for a balanced focus on security and human development.
“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.
The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.
Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.
“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.
Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

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The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in   his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to  abstain from illicit drugs consumption.
Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.
He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.
The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.
He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.
The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.
According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.
The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.
The World Day of Drug Abuse,  was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.
King Onunwor
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