Niger Delta

Experts Task Business Owners On Networking, Digital Marketing

Published

6 years ago

September 16, 2019

Experts in various fields of businesses in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region have urged business owners in the region to take advantage of networking and digital marketing to grow their businesses.
Making the call recently at the 4th business linkages forum in Port Harcourt, organised by Wider Perspectives Ltd. in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), representative of different businesses harped on the need for networking and digital marketing.
The experts, drawn from digital online businesses, captains of industries such as Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), Foundation of Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND), and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Rivers State, spoke on the benefits accruable from linking businesses to global value chains through networking and digital marketing.
They told participants how to grow their businesses to global value chains that will enable them export the benefits therein, by sharing their various experiences.
Through such explanations participants were information of the nitty-gritty of their field of business specialization, which ranged from digital/online services to marketing export processing, and mentoring.
Speaking at the occasion, President of PHCCIMA, Chief Nabil Saleh, said the gathering “demonstrated a strong desire by PCCIMA to build bridges across the business community”.
Chief Saleh, who was represented at the occasion by the Chairman, Professionals and Consulates Trade Group, Mr. Clement Atunibo, said irrespective of how small a business is, the desire is to see it grow and ensure that business thrives.
According to him, “presently, there are millions of micro business enterprises in Nigeria contributing almost half of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the tune of 47.8% and 7.2% in terms of export, which underscores their importance to the nation’s economy”.
In her address, the Managing Director of Wider Perspectives, Mrs. Edughom Hanson, said the idea to organize business linkages was informed by the need to promote SME development by connecting them to large business buyers, thereby facilitating business.
“The objective of the forum”, she said, “include access to finance, wealth and job creation, market linkages, export opportunities, and networking through interactions.
“We are glad to state that an appreciable success has been recorded by some of the SMEs that participated in the first, second and third editions.
“Through linkage with large and established enterprises, emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses have a great chance of growth.

Beauty David-West

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

1 week ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

2 weeks ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.