Rivers

Constitution Amendment: Dokubo Advocates Resource Control

Published

8 years ago

August 18, 2017

One of the founding members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and leader of the defunct Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo has said that any constitutional amendment in the National Assembly without resource control as a bench-mark would still threaten Nigeria’s unity.
Asari Dokubo said this at a one-day “Youth Enlightenment Workshop” organized by the office of Deputy President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Telema Polyn, in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
According to him, Nigeria’s unity can only be guaranteed, if the nation is restructured to enable component units to control their resources while they pay taxes to the centre.
He said resource control would also end various calls for secession by different ethnic groups in the country.
The ex-Niger Delta agitator warned members of the National Assembly, especially those from the North and South-West of the country against politics of ethnicity and self interests, saying that such would not engender the much-needed unity, equity and justice the country desperately needs.
Asari, who declined being a member of any political party, said enough is enough for political parties which use the name of Niger Delta people for campaign while the people languish in penury and dearth of infrastructure.
Asari also blamed governors of the states in the region for the continued neglect of the Niger Delta in terms of development.
He said the region would have been decorated with new infrastructure development projects if all the money accruing to the region, including excess crude funds, were judiciously used for development purposes.
The IYC leader charged youth, particularly those from Ijaw nation to shun illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, saying that illegal bunkering business has compounded the hardship of the people of the Niger Delta, whose farmlands and aquatic lives have been destroyed.
“I beg you, my brothers and sisters to shun illegal bunkering business and pipeline vandalization in our region.
“The business is illegal and the worse is that it contributes to more hardship to our fishermen and women.
“Our major occupation, especially the Ijaw people is fishing, and this illegal bunkering business is gradually destroying our rivers and creeks, with no fish, no firewood, our flora and fauna gone and the people’s health under serious threat”, Asari noted.
Asari thanked Comrade Telema Polyn for his vision to enlighten the youth of the Ijaw nation on the dangers associated with illegal crude oil refining, and appealed to the IYC new leadership to articulate programmes that would better the lives of the youth.
Earlier, the Deputy President of IYC, Comrade Telema Polyn, had said the workshop was organized to sensitize the youth on better ways to conduct their affairs in the region.
He said the event was part of the grand finale of the IYC nation-wide elections, designed to thank leaders and members of the group who supported the new executive to emerge some months ago,.
The highlights of the event include, honorary award to the Patron of the IYC, Jasper Jumbo, interactive session with the youth, cultural displays, and lectures.

Enoch Epelle

Rivers

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

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

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.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

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

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

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