Rivers

Ula Ikata People Return Home From Exile

Published

7 years ago

June 4, 2018

At last, the people of Ula Ikata community in Igbu Upata Kingdom in Ahoada-East Local Government Area last Friday, returned to their ancestral home four years after they deserted their community because of land dispute.
The Igbu Upata Kingdom monarch and Chairman, Ahoada East Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Eze Igbu Upata III, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo while flagging off their return regretted the massive loss of lives and property during the crisis.
At a ceremony to welcome home the people, Eze Otuwarikpo called for peaceful co-existence and promised to assist rebuild the houses of the most elderly male heads of the seven families that make up the community.
He, however, appealed to well meaning Nigerians, non-governmental organisations, National Emergency Management Agency, corporate institutions, United Nations humanitarian department, state and federal governments to come to the aid of the people for proper integration.
Warning against future crisis, he expressed happiness that his first commitment to reconcile feuding factions in Ula Ikata which was made on his coronation in September 2017, before the state Governor, Nyesom Wike had been fulfilled.
An elated Eze stressed forcefully that “never again shall any part of the 21 towns and villages under my domain be allowed to go into regrettable crisis. Never again and this applies to all other parts of Ekpeye. We will resist retrogressive forces. It is to this that I will reach out to other Ezes in Ekpeye so we can bring back Odigwe people to their ancestral home.
“Never again, shall we cede any inch of Ekpeye land. We cannot surrender our liberty to anyone. I wish to assure all Nigerians that the Upata people elected me to defend Upata Kingdom. I will not compromise this solemn oath.”
While he decried the recent herdsmen attack on Ihuaba, an Upata community, Eze Otuwarikpo urged the youths to shun cultism and other vices for peace.
Speaking also, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo II, Eze Robinson Okparanwo Robinson commended Eze Otuwarikpo for his resilience in ensuring that the warring factions embraced peace.
He informed, however, that the Ekpeye nation would henceforth resist trouble makers in order to create an enabling environment for investors.
In his remarks, Bishop Clement Ekpeye of the Ahoada Diocese, Anglican Communion, called on cultists to repent if they wish to escape the wrath of God.
In his solidarity speech, the President General of Uzugbani Ekpeye, Professor Dulu Appah, said that the effects of the gathering must be positively noted because, according to him, no society thrives in crisis.
Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, member representing Ahoada East Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly reacted to Eze Otuwarikpo’s appeal by announcing a donation of N1million and also promised to reconstruct the community town hall and provision of good drinking water.

Rivers

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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