Rivers

RSG To Clamp Down On Youth Bodies Not Profiled

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2021

The Rivers State Government has urged Local Government Chairmen, law enforcement agents and community leaders to clamp down on leadership of youth bodies in the State that have not undertaken the security profiling initiated by the state government.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Prince Obi Ohia who stated this at the weekend during the issuance of revalidation certificate exercise to some youth organisations in the state, warned that any community based youth group that had not undertaken the ongoing revalidation process must stop functioning as a youth group.
Ohia said those youth groups who had failed to make use of the revalidation window provided by the State Government should cease operating in the state with immediate effect.
He urged those that had not been profiled by the security agencies and revalidated to ensure that they complied with the State Government’s directive to avoid sanctions.
As a ministry that is saddled with the responsibility to empower and engage the youths in activities that are aimed at assisting them identify and harness their potentials, Ohia assured the youths that their interest is of paramount importance to the government .
The commissioner however, advised youth leaders to exhibit character traits that portray them in good light, adding that as leaders, they must be good followers and good listeners in order to show exemplary leadership.
According to him: “Youth leaders must not make themselves lords but should imbibe team spirit and initiate laudable programmes and activities that can attract meaningful development and peace to your domain”.
Ohia further advised that they should work selflessly for the development of their various communities and in the interest of the State at large.
He urged those community based youth bodies who have not conducted elections to do so urgently, stressing that the revalidation doesn’t mean automatic reelection to the various groups’ executives.
“The certificate issued today should not be a means or an excuse to elongate your tenure. If your tenure is over or about to end, please conduct peaceful elections.
“Be informed that we have your constitution and the profile of the body, if your case comes before us, we know what to do”, he warned.
While issuing the certificates, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Roland Obed Whyte disclosed that about 55 certificates would be issued to those youth bodies who have successfully completed the rigorous process of revalidation and commended staff for working assiduously to ensure the success of the programme.
Earlier, the Youth President of Kula and Eleme, Ekine Japuso Ibina and Prince Brain Emerekukpa, commended the State Governor for lifting the ban on youth activities and applauded the level of youth inclusion in politics which, according to them, has produced the present commissioner who in their opinion, is a worthy ambassador of youths in the state.
They assured that the various youth groups would be law abiding as hooliganism and criminality would no longer be condoned in the communities and the state at large.

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.

Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.

She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.

“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.

Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).

Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.

The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.

According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.

The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.

It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.

The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.

It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.

Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.

It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.

While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.

The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

10 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.

He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.