Editorial

Any Insurance Cover For Street Beggers?

Published

10 years ago

December 13, 2015

I may sound of appear foolish to ask such question s whether street and highway beggers in Port Harcourt have any live assurance coverage or simply put, if they are licenced to beg.
Of course anyone who witness what I would conclude as a usual sight in Port Harcourt, may also be tempted to pose similar questions if not exactly same. The reason is simple, these humans who by virtue of either their handicapped situation or choice of career, found themselves in the begging industry, are rather constituting more of a nuisance than they could attract the pity of the public.
To the motorists the risk involved, is more than the charity expected to be expressed at the sight of these ones. Their choice of points on the highways that risk their safety and that of the drivers, is one that calls for immediate intervention. I may not know that Ministry under which these beggers fall in, but I know that the government of Rivers State has what it takes to address this situation especially at this period when many road users seem to be possessed by the spirit of the last month.
Rather than allow motorists to fall victims of avoidable circumstance, I think it is quite honourable to toe the line of precautionary measures and put these victims of circumstances off the motor ways so that they are not crushed. A situation where a helpless begger would be stationed on Rumuola Flyover that is not able to accommodate just one vehicle at a time is quite appalling. It is worst given the foggy look at the mornings that impedes visibility in recent time. I therefore call on the state government and relevant authorities to please treat as a matter of importance and urgency the need to have these ones evacuated out of the motor ways in Port Harcourt.
Unique Mezie
Oroworukwo.

Ban Neighbourhood
Disturbances This Yuletide
Permit me a space in your paper to air my feelings about the menace of indiscriminate shootings in the neighbourhood as part of the euphoria that chacterize the yuletide. Even though the history, I may not be able to trace in a hurry, we know that it is quite common to have children, youths and even unguraded adults carry out some disturbing shootings into the air all in the name of celebrating Christmas.
In a period, where people are living in suspicions and fear of the activities of insurgents, it would be tantamount to a display of laxity by both the government of the day, the security operatives and the civil society to stand aloof and watch such frivolous nuisance being perpetrated in our neighbourhoods. Apart from the nuisance that such act, creates, it is quite difficult to convince any sane mind that hoodlums would not hijack the situation to hit up the environment and so create more panic and terror at a time when peace and security ought to rent the air.
In the light of this, I would want to call on the state and federal government to please see enough Nason to check the activities of miscreants who hide under the cloack of yuletidism to perpetrate evil, enough to hamper the joy of the season. In as much as we all are looking forward to the realization of the December deadline to an end of Boko Haram’s activities in Nigeria, it is imperative that we leave nothing to change as every loopehole may be capitalized on to cause havoc which consequences we may not be able to escape. For me, an outright ban on such activities as would create panic and horror at this period, such as “knock-outs”, rockets, and all manner of fireworks that go with traumatizing sounds in noise should be put in place to be able to monitor the activities of the men and boys of the underworld.
Prevention they say, is better than cure.
Chisom Woke
PH.
Nigerians Need
Decent Toilets
Recently, the world marked the 2015 Global Toilet Day with the theme: “Sanitation and Nutrition. This event like others is celebrated annually by all countries of the world. It’s organised by the United nations (UN) with the aim o raising awareness about people lack access to toilet in spite of its being a human right.
What baffles one is that these human deficiencies are highlighted an celebrated every year on specific days but without positive impact on the people.
In Nigeria in particular, some millions of Naira are always spent in organising the events but at the end of the day, the agencies concerned and the government forget all about them. It was disclosed that over 45 million Nigerians lack access to toilet facilities, while another 130 million use unimproved and shared toilet facilities.
Having gotten this data, the question now is, what step is the various governments taking towards providing solution to the problem. Growing open defecation and lack of access to safe toilets are identified as the major problem facing the people and women are more vulnerable.
The issue is not how much awareness campaign organised, but what is being done to make these facilities available to the people. This les on the shoulders of the Federal, State and local governments whose responsibility it is to ensure the construction of standard toilet facilities, especially for those residing at the waterfronts.
A visit to these areas would actually convince you that most Nigerians are living in penury and in unacceptable environment.
Nigeria needs a paradigm shift in terms of sanitation and nutrition considering her status in the world. As a giant of Africa and one of richest in oil and gas, one no longer expect its people to defecate openly.
Governments at all levels must address this menace by providing well-sanitized toilets and environment for its people.
It is shameful that Nigeria with a population of about 170 million has over 45 million without access to toilet facilities, a situation that is not healthy for human existence. Something serious must be done and urgently too.
Aduche Ajie
Diobu.
Check Harassment In Ivory Towers
It is quite heavy to state yet real, sexual harassment of female students in higher institutions of learning by their lecturers is gradually assuming a crisis dimension, what used to be an option by female students who couldn’t pass their courses, as a remedial measure, has now become an intimidating tool by lecturers with lustful desires over their female students.
It is worrisome because, unlike before when the lecturers involved did it clandestinely, with an intension to still protect their image, now, lecturers do it with levity, damning the consequences afterall. Apart from subjecting female students to sexual nitration, these same students are forced to pay the hotel bills of their chosen venue for the act as well as the entertainment within their period of stay in the hotel.
One therefore, wonders what manner of lies these students would tell their guardians to be able to extract such amount needed to settle such bills.
It must be understood that sexual assault in our citadels of learning, can, not only result to short term harms, it can also lead to a long-term emotional trauma which end-product is depression, not excluding the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis and even HIV/AIDS.
I therefore, use this medium to call on the authority concerned, Ministry of education in particular and probably teachers registration Council (TRCN) to see how they can check and curb the excess of their employees and members respectively.
If the employment and membership of a teacher could be considered at risk when found guilty of this offence, it will help to check this trend and end its menace. There is no better time to at than now.
Ogbonna Favour
PH.

Please, Consider Xmas Bonus For Workers
Prior to the administration of Rivers State by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, the Civil Servants in Rivers State were treated to a December largesse no matter how meager, it was assumed a practice that has come to stay, which should earn the respect of every successive administration.
Unfortunately, the regime of Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, failed to respect such tradition for whatever reason it had for doing so. Hence for his reign of 8 years, workers in the state were neglected during the yuletide. With the change of baton of leadership, and the cordial relationship the state civil servants have with the brick house, I wish to call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to please revisit this old but significant tradition that was truncated by an administration adjudged to be insensitive to the plight of workers in the state.
This call has become imperative not because the state is perceived to be wallowing in wealth or excess money, no! but because it is upheld as a necessity, capable of boosting the morale of workers.
It goes a mile to explain what relationship exists between the government and its workers, seeing that Xmas period is a time to show and share love irrespective of the burdens that had weighed one down all through the year.
Your Excellency Sir, the Civil Servants in Rivers State would remain grateful to your administration if you would consider this call, a timely one, worthy of attention inspite of all odds.
Sylvie Francoise
PH.

Editorial

Advancing Women, Humanity, Through IWD 2026

Published

22 hours ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

On March 8, the world once again commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, a global moment dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women and renewing commitment to gender equality. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” carries a simple but powerful message: when society gives support to women, society itself gains progress, stability, and prosperity.

International Women’s Day is observed annually to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also serves as a reminder that, despite progress made over the decades, gender inequality remains a persistent global challenge that demands collective action.

The IWD 2026 “Give to Gain” campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It calls on governments, institutions, organisations, and individuals to support women’s advancement, recognising that empowerment grows when opportunities are shared and barriers are removed.

At the heart of the campaign is the principle of reciprocity. When people and institutions give generously—whether through opportunities, encouragement, or resources—the benefits multiply. Giving is not subtraction; it is intentional multiplication. When women thrive, families prosper, communities develop, and nations rise.

The concept of giving extends beyond financial assistance. Support for women can come through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, and time. Each contribution strengthens the foundation for a more inclusive and interconnected world.

In this sense, “Give to Gain” is not merely a slogan; it is a global call to action. Every society, institution, and individual has a role to play in creating pathways for women and girls to realise their full potential.

For individuals, giving support means challenging harmful stereotypes and standing against discrimination wherever it occurs. It means questioning prejudices that limit women’s opportunities and celebrating the successes of women in every field of endeavour.

When people actively support gender equality, they reinforce a shared sense of purpose. This support produces a ripple effect: one act of advocacy encourages another, and collective effort spreads impact far beyond its original point.

The campaign, therefore, reminds us that empowerment is not a solitary journey. It is a shared responsibility that requires continuous commitment from communities across the globe.

Once again, the message is clear: everyone can give something. Through encouragement, advocacy, mentorship, or policy reform, society can help women and girls gain the opportunities they deserve.

In Nigeria, however, the message of “Give to Gain” resonates with particular urgency. Women’s rights remain constrained by deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that shape laws, politics, culture, and everyday life.

Despite decades of advocacy and repeated promises by leaders, the lived reality of many Nigerian women is still defined by systemic inequality, violence, and exclusion.

Statistics paint a troubling picture. Women hold only about 3.9 per cent of seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly, one of the lowest rates of female representation in the world. Nearly 43.4 per cent of Nigerian women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18, while 13.2 per cent of women aged 15–49 report experiencing physical or sexual violence. These figures reveal the depth of gender inequality that still persists.

To realise the ideals of “Give to Gain” in Nigeria, deliberate action is required at all levels of government. The Federal Government must strengthen laws that protect women’s rights and ensure greater representation in governance. State governments should expand access to education, economic empowerment programmes, and protection against gender-based violence. Local governments must prioritise grassroots awareness, training, and opportunities that enable women to participate fully in community development.

Encouragingly, initiatives have begun to emerge. In Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara used the 2026 celebration of International Women’s Day to reaffirm support for women’s empowerment, distributing N50,000 grants to 1,000 women. The First Lady, Valerie Fubara, also supported 20 women farmers with N10 million through the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme, demonstrating how targeted support can improve livelihoods.

The responsibility for gender equality does not lie with governments alone. Individuals, organisations, and community groups must sustain the spirit of the IWD 2026 “Give to Gain” campaign throughout the year. By giving support, opportunity, and respect to women and girls, society gains a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous future for all.

Editorial

Resolve Rumuwoji Market Issues, Others

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The long-awaited inauguration of the Peter Odili Cardiovascular and Cancer Treatment Centre at Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area has been met with widespread relief and excitement by indigenes and residents of Rivers State, many of whom have spent years anticipating access to a facility built to preserve lives and curb the need for medical travel abroad.

Recall that the project was commissioned on November 14, 2022, only to be abandoned shortly afterwards. For a centre equipped to handle cardiovascular and cancer cases, this delay was not merely administrative; it carried real human costs in a country where non-communicable diseases account for about 29 per cent of all deaths, according to public health estimates.

The determination of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to get the centre started has now paid off. Without fanfares, the state-of-the-art hospital is quietly serving patients, proving that effective governance does not always need loud trumpets to announce its presence.

The governor deserves commendation for relentlessly reviving this critical health facility despite orchestrated attempts to clog the wheel of good governance in the state. In the same breath, kudos are due to the former Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, whose professional input and persistence helped turn policy into practice.

However, this positive development also highlights the ongoing disappointment over the failure to put the Mother and Child Hospital into use nearly five years after it was commissioned. The frustration voiced by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) is justified, especially in Nigeria, where maternal mortality remains alarmingly high at about 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Although the Mother and Child Hospital was formally inaugurated in 2021, it has continued to remain completely non-functional in the years that followed. Reports indicate that the facility has stayed entirely sealed off and inaccessible to the public, with no signs of operational activity. This is despite renewed assurances given in early 2025 that the hospital would soon open its doors and begin serving the state — promises that have yet to materialise.

Beyond the health sector lies another deeply troubling example of public neglect: the second phase of the Rumuwoji Market, more popularly known as Mile One Market. This facility was completed nearly a decade ago, yet it remains entirely unused and dormant to this day — a situation that continues to baffle and worry a great many Rivers’ residents who had hoped it would serve the growing needs of their communities.

This phase of the market was built and completed by the immediate past administration of Chief Nyesom Wike. It followed the devastating fire that gutted the entire market during the tenure of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, whose government earlier completed and opened the first phase.

Sadly, the unused section of the market has begun to deteriorate, a clear waste of public funds. Traders who should be operating within the market now spill onto Afikpo Street, creating traffic bottlenecks, sanitation concerns, and general nuisances for residents.

We are compelled to ask why a market that has already been commissioned has remained unoccupied for so many years. If there are genuine issues preventing its use, then the government must put its foot down and address them squarely, with courage and determination rather than hesitation.

It is unacceptable that this phase of Mile One Market is allowed to decay after so much money has been sunk into it. Across Nigeria, abandoned public projects are estimated to have tied down trillions of naira, resources that could have transformed lives if properly utilised.

Additionally, the economic implications of leaving public infrastructure idle cannot be overstated. Markets are engines of micro and small-scale commerce, which account for over 80 per cent of employment in Nigeria’s informal sector. When facilities like the unused section of Mile One Market are left to rot, government inadvertently chokes livelihoods, reduces internally generated revenue, and deepens urban disorder. A functioning market would not only decongest surrounding streets but also restore dignity and safety to traders who currently operate under harsh and unsanitary conditions.

The government has expended substantial taxpayers’ money in the construction of these facilities, yet they sit idle and unused at a time when the people of the state should be directly benefiting from the services they were designed to provide. It raises a fundamental question that demands honest answers: what is the purpose of investing billions of naira in these projects if they are ultimately left dormant, abandoned, and to fall into a state of neglect? The people deserve better than empty infrastructure that serves no one.

While the political climate within the state has undoubtedly presented its share of challenges over time, that particular chapter now appears to be largely behind us. The focus must shift accordingly. The ball is firmly in the court of the administration to compose itself, buckle down, and get to work — ensuring that completed projects are delivered to the people they were intended to serve, without any further unnecessary delay.

Ultimately, governance is judged not by the number of projects commissioned but by how many are put to meaningful use. As the philosopher Edmund Burke once observed, “Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny,” and by extension, abandoned projects are the worst form of waste. Rivers State has the opportunity to reverse this narrative. The administration must strike while the iron is hot, ensure that all completed facilities are activated, and prove that public resources are not poured into a bottomless pit but invested for the common good.

We therefore call on the government to redress these challenges with urgency. As the saying goes, “The best time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining,” and the time to act is now. Rivers people are watching, worried, and rightly expect their leaders to turn promises and investments into tangible public good.

Editorial

As NDG Ends Season 2

Published

3 weeks ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

On 20 February, the second edition of the Niger Delta Games (NDG) kicked off in Benin City, Edo State, with over 3,000 athletes from the nine oil-producing states of the Niger Delta region competing for honours across 16 sporting disciplines. Tagged ‘NDG Edo 2026’, the Games were scheduled to continue until the 27th (today), when the curtain would finally be drawn on proceedings. The event is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organised by consultants Dunamis Icon.

Edo State is taking its turn as host following the maiden edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the previous year. The inaugural edition was widely hailed as a resounding success, owing to the remarkable competitiveness and excitement it generated amongst the states of the region and, in particular, the young athletes who showcased impressive talent, prowess, and potential across a range of sporting events.

The maiden edition represented, in many respects, a new horizon and a breath of fresh air in efforts to engage and harness the talents and energies of the region’s youth towards positive endeavours that offer genuine prospects for career development. For a full week, young athletes from across the Niger Delta had the opportunity to compete in an environment where they freely expressed and explored their abilities, mingled with one another, and had the chance to connect socially and culturally.

It is for this reason that the NDDC and their consultants, Dunamis Icon, can be said to have hit the bull’s eye with the concept behind the Games. Beyond serving to engage the youth and identify promising athletes for the region, the competition has the capacity to produce athletes well capable of representing the national flag on international and continental stages.

The NDG presents opportunities that the states of the region must embrace wholeheartedly. Beyond venturing into the hinterlands to scout for promising young athletes, sporting facilities across the various states now have the opportunity to be tested and utilised on an annual basis, whilst host states enjoy the privilege of developing, upgrading, and maintaining existing facilities with the support of the sponsors.

As the Games draw to a close at the end of their second season, it is hoped that this regional sporting festival will continue to be guided by the vision and mission upon which it was founded, particularly its commitment to creating opportunities for untapped talents within the region. It is encouraging to note the organisers’ insistence that only athletes within the stipulated age bracket of 20 years and under are permitted to participate. No effort should be spared in ensuring that age falsification and the desperation to win at any cost are firmly discouraged.

Whilst commending the NDDC and Dunamis Icon for the considerable efforts already invested in ensuring that the NDG is not only successful but sustainable, it is expected that this second edition would mark an improvement upon the last, with the shortcomings witnessed in Uyo not being permitted to recur.

The NDG represents both an opportunity and a challenge to a region that prides itself as one of the country’s foremost nurseries of sporting talents. It is a chance to begin producing world-class athletes once again and to introduce names that will not only remind us of, but ultimately succeed the celebrated stars of previous generations across various disciplines — among them Adokiye Amiesimaka, Daniel Igali, Ojadi Oduche, Obisia Nwamkpa, Chioma Ajunwa, and Jeremiah Okorududu, to name but a few.

Just as the leadership of the NDDC has challenged the NDG to begin producing Olympic athletes for the country, we can only wholeheartedly concur that the Games possesses everything necessary to serve as a platform for unearthing future stars, and nothing less should be expected of it.

It is worth noting that the continued growth and credibility of the NDG will depend, in no small measure, on the rigour and transparency with which it is administered. Governance, accountability, and adherence to the founding principles of the competition must remain non-negotiable priorities for all stakeholders involved, from the sponsors and organisers through to the participating state delegations.

The role of the participating state governments in this regard cannot be overstated. Whilst the NDDC and Dunamis Icon provide the structural framework and financial backing that make the Games possible, it is the states themselves that bear the primary responsibility of identifying, nurturing, and presenting their finest young athletes for competition.

Governors and sports commissioners across the nine participating states must therefore treat the NDG not as a mere ceremonial obligation, but as a serious and strategic investment in the human capital of their respective populations. Only through sustained grassroots scouting programmes, well-funded state sports academies, and consistent domestic competitions can the region hope to maximise the full potential of what the NDG offers.

The private sector, too, has a meaningful role to play in the long-term sustainability of the Niger Delta Games. Whilst the NDDC’s sponsorship provides an essential foundation, the involvement of corporate organisations — particularly those with significant commercial interests in the region — would serve to deepen the financial base of the competition and reduce its vulnerability to the funding uncertainties that have historically plagued sporting initiatives in Nigeria.

Partnerships with brands, media organisations, and international sports bodies could further raise the profile of the Games, attract wider coverage, and open doors for the region’s most gifted athletes to access exposure, training opportunities, and platforms that extend well beyond the Niger Delta itself.

Ultimately, the Niger Delta Games carries with it the hopes and aspirations of an entire region and its young people. If nurtured with care, integrity, and sustained investment, it has every potential to become one of the most significant youth sporting platforms on the continent, and a genuine conveyor belt for the next generation of Nigerian sporting greatness.