News

RVHA Screens Commissioner-Nominee …Drills Halliburton’s MD, Manager

Published

9 years ago

June 30, 2017

The Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) as commissioner – designate.
The Assembly also screened and confirmed chairmen and members of caretaker committees for two additional local government areas of the state.
Te screening and confirmation of the nominees yesterday followed the request letter by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike and read by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani at the Assembly’s plenary session in Port Harcourt.
The CTC Chairmen screened and confirmed include Mr Oladipo Ogu, Chairman-designate for Abua/Odual LGA and Mr Charles Chima Orlu for Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Unlike CTC chairmen and members who were thoroughly drilled by the members of the Assembly, the Commissioner- designate, Mr Emmanuel Aguma was only asked to take a bow and go.
According to the Speaker of the House, the former Attorney General had performed excellently as Commissioner for Justice and that his credentials and track record before the House still remained intact to qualify him for approval by the Assembly.
However, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani appealed to the Commissioner- designate to look into a situation where tyres are used by butchers in burning of meat and carry out a serious investigation with a view to fashioning out a legal framework as a measure to curb the menace, if assigned the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice portfolio.
Ibani in the same vein, urged the Chairmen and members of the Caretaker Committees to take the development of the grassroots very seriously, saying that the Assembly would ensure that any chairman or member who does not perform to the expectation of the people would be recommended for immediate sack.
He said local government administration was serious business, stressing that the Assembly would not condone recklessness on the part of the Caretaker Committee chairmen and members, as such would attract severe sanctions.
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to forward a letter of confirmation to the Office of the Governor for their swearing-in.
Meanwhile, The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday drilled the Managing Director of Halliurton Energy Services, Mr Henry Okey and the Human Resources Manager of the company, Mrs Ijeoma Suzzy over alleged systematic discrimination of Rivers State indigenes working in the company.
The Managing Director and the Human Resources Manager appeared before the Assembly in Port Harcourt to defend the petition from some sacked staff of the company, accusing the management of the company of alleged unlawful dismissal of some indigenes of the state in the company’s managerial cadre, particularly one Barrister Azubuike Ogah without any compensation.
In the petition read and presented to the House by the Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule, the company’s management was also accused of only engaging indigenes of the state as contract staff while non-indigenes were employed as permanent staff of the company which is operating in the State.
The petition further accused the management of retiring Rivers indigenes without following the requisite and laid down conditions, an act purportedly deployed to intentionally rob Rivers persons of managerial positions in the company.
In response, the Managing Director of Halliburton Energy Services, Mr. Henry Okey denied the allegations, insisting that the company only retrenched three Rivers indigenes including one Mr Azuibuike Ogah, who was in charge of the Legal Department of the company as at early this year.
According to him, Rivers indigenes working in the company were 98 out of a total of 500 employees in the company.
The managing director also said that out of 25 persons in the top managerial cadre of the company, only one person was an indigene of Rivers State, nine persons from South-West geo-political zone, seven from South-East while five were expatriates and the other three were from states in the South-South geo-political zone.
The Managing Director further stressed that the company since 2015 till date had retrenched over 131 staff from both managerial and low cadres including contract staff, but he could not give accurate number of Rivers indigenes so far sacked by the company.
He said retrenchment of staff in the company was based on shortfalls in the company’s outputs and that the productivity of the staff was also taken into consideration.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani expressed the Assembly’s dissatisfaction with Mr Okey’s explanation.
The Assembly therefore resolved that the management of the company should reappear before the House armed with documents showing the redundancy policy of the company, its nominal roll, list of the 25 staff on the top managerial cadre and a document to furnish the House with the conditions for retirement as well names of those retired or retrenched in the company.
The House also urged the company to withhold any further retrenchment of Rivers indigenes in the company and admonished the management to do anything to ensure that the indigenes of the state occupy managerial positions in the company.

Enoch Epelle

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor