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Bishop Petitions Defence Minister Over Harassment By Soldiers

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5 years ago

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Presiding Bishop of the City of Angels International Ministry, Port Harcourt, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje, has petitioned the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) over incessant harassment by soldiers led by one Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Nwigbarene Sorbari.
Masodje alleged that Sorbari, attached to 4 Brigade, Benin City, Edo State, had on several occasions led soldiers to harrass him and members of his congregation at the Church, located along Rumuehara Farm Road, off Igwurita-Eneka Road in the Rivers State capital, accusing him of killing his daughter, late Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene.
Masodje, in the petition signed by his lawyer, Elder David Abuo, a copy of which was obtained by The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the Rivers State Police Command had already investigated the allegation against him following a petition by the soldier and cleared him.
Copied in the Bishop’s petition were the Chief of Army Staff; Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division; the Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin City and the Rivers State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
It reads in part: “That on December 25, 2020 at about 3:00pm, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje received a telephone call from one Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene, a member of the Ministry who informed him that she was going to Benin City to spend Christmas with her family there and he prayed with her and wished her journey mercies and angelic protection.
“That on December 27, 2020, Warrant Officer Sorbari Nwigbarene, the father of the said Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene called him to inquire about the said Beauty’s whereabout and the said Bishop informed him of his conversation with Beauty on December 25, 2020, to the effect that she was traveling to Edo State to spend the Christmas with her family on the said December 25, 2020.
“Subsequently, he got to know of an accident that occurred on December 25, 2020, Along East-West Road, between Ndele and Rumuji (Rivers State), which claimed several lives with three survivors and the said Beauty was one of the later fatal victims as she was being rushed to the General Hospital, Ahoada, Rivers State.
“That the said accident was duly reported and investigated by the Police at Rumuji Police Division to the knowledge and occurrence of MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene.
“Inspite of the said information, MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene, lodged a false compliant of the purported abduction of his said daughter, Beauty to the Military Police at Bori Camp on December 28, 2020 and the Bishop was wrongly/illegally arrested and unlawfully/ unconstitutionally detained by the said Military Police from December 28, 2020 till January 6, 2021.
“Even though he, not being culpable was implicit, he was instead of being discharged, transferred to the Civil Police on January 8, 2021. On January 25, 2021, after a detailed/thorough and painstaking investigation into the false allegation, the Bishop was granted bail without any charge.”


By: Ike Wigodo

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Rivers

VIO HOLDS COLLABORATIVE MEETING WITH AUPCTRE IN RIVERS STATE

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1 week ago

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May 29, 2026

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The Chief of the Rivers State Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Engr. Akobo Monibo, alongside other executive officers of the agency, received the leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), Rivers State Council, during a courtesy and interactive meeting held at the office of the Chief VIO.

The delegation was led by the State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Tamunoiminabo Toby, accompanied by other executive members of the union.
Speaking during the meeting, Engr. Akobo Monibo expressed appreciation to the union leadership for identifying with the VIO at this crucial time and commended the union for its commitment towards workers’ welfare and institutional development.

According to him, the responsibilities of the VIO remain enormous and vital to the development of a safer transportation system within the state.

In his response, the State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Tamunoiminabo Toby, appreciated the warm reception and hospitality extended to the union delegation by the leadership of the VIO.

He explained that the purpose of the courtesy visit was to facilitate the establishment of an AUPCTRE Unit or Chapter within the VIO, noting that the union already has members within the Ministry of Transport and other related agencies.

The chairman further emphasized the benefits of union membership, especially in promoting workers’ welfare, unity, cooperation, and professional representation within government establishments.

Also speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Chief VIO, Comrade Livings Denoi, appreciated the union for the visit and welcomed the move towards establishing a VIO Chapter of AUPCTRE, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening collaboration and staff welfare within the agency.

Other personalities present during the meeting included Sup. Stella Jacks and the State Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Okpeyeme Adebajo, alongside other officials from both organizations.

The meeting ended on a cordial note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to partnership, institutional growth, and the promotion of efficient service delivery in Rivers State.

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NEMA Launches Response Against Flood In Rivers

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1 week ago

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May 29, 2026

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched its 2026 flood disaster response campaign as flooding threats loom in Rivers and 21 other states across the country.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, flagged off the exercise during a stakeholders’ engagement in Port Harcourt.
The campaign is themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria.”
Represented by the agency’s Acting Director, South-South Zonal Directorate, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, Umar said the campaign was designed to drive early and coordinated action to save lives and livelihoods before the imminent flood.
”The campaign further seeks to promote proactive disaster management through stronger institutions and define clearer responsibilities among stakeholders.
“Each year, lives are lost, livelihoods are disrupted, and public and private infrastructure worth billions of naira are damaged.
“Communities also bear the burden of injuries, displacement, and the loss of life savings due to unmitigated flood events and their secondary effects”, she said.
Umar continued that the 2026 flood outlook predicted that 22 states and the FCT, covering 132 local government areas, fall within high flood-risk zones.
She added that another 14 states, covering 148 local government areas, had been classified as moderate-risk areas.
The NEMA boss explained that the agency had already convened an expert review meeting to assess the implications of the forecasts and develop strategies to minimise anticipated impacts.
She identified likely challenges to include delayed or erratic rainfall, shorter growing seasons, above-normal rainfall in some areas, prolonged dry spells, and rising temperatures.
“These factors are expected to affect key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, water supply, education, and overall public wellbeing”, she said.
She further disclosed that NEMA had developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to reduce flood impacts nationwide.
According to her, the framework includes capacity building for local responders, simulation exercises, strict adherence to weather advisories, prepositioning of relief materials, infrastructure integrity assessments, and development of community evacuation plans.
The NEMA boss said the agency had also identified flood risk profiles for vulnerable communities through its flood early warning system and procured vulnerability maps to support planning.
“Beyond this engagement with stakeholders, the agency is deploying technical teams to all states of the federation for direct community outreach.
“These efforts will be supported by State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, and community volunteers”, she said.
Umar called on traditional rulers, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and private sector to support the dissemination of early warning information.
Also speaking, the Head of Emergency and Disaster Management at the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Tamunosiki Ogbanga, said the agency had commenced evaluation and monitoring of flood-prone areas across the state.
Ogbanga said SEMA, under the Rivers State Ministry of Special Duties, had begun reviewing possible mitigation measures and monitoring flood flashpoints to reduce the impact of flooding on residents.
“Our plan for the evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas is part of our ongoing evacuation and monitoring exercise”, he said.
Ogbanga explained that residents in vulnerable communities would be relocated to safer locations whenever the need arises.
“Where they cannot get a safe place, SEMA will relocate them to temporary Internally Displaced Persons camps and provide the necessary support”, he added.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response across Rivers State.
Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
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Monarch Attributes State’s Development To Peace, Unity

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1 week ago

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May 29, 2026

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty King Leslie N. Eke, has attributed the steady development witnessed in Rivers State to what he described as the peaceful and purposeful leadership style of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Eke stated this recently while chatting with newsmen at his palace in Woji Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The chat was  part of his reactions on the  activities marking the 59th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State and the celebration of the Governor’s three years in office.
The royal father noted that since the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, the state had passed through different political, economic and security challenges, but that the present administration had sustained relative peace across the state.
According to him, peace remains the bedrock of development, stressing that no society can attain meaningful growth and infrastructural advancement in an atmosphere of rancour and instability.
The Nyerisi Eli Woji cum Eze Woji XII, commended the Governor for promoting unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state, adding that “the Governor’s calm disposition and inclusive style of governance had contributed immensely to the prevailing harmony being enjoyed in many parts of the state.”
The monarch, who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, observed that the administration had continued to record visible achievements in critical sectors of the economy despite prevailing political tensions in the state.
He further stated that the Governor had demonstrated maturity and commitment in the handling of state affairs, particularly in security and community relations, which he said had encouraged investors and businesses to operate without fear.
King Eke explained that traditional rulers across the state remained key stakeholders in the sustenance of peace, noting that the synergy between the government and traditional institution had helped in addressing communal disputes and youth restiveness in some areas.
The first class monarch urged Rivers people to continue supporting the present administration in order to consolidate on the gains already recorded in infrastructural development, healthcare delivery and human capital development.
He also called on political actors and stakeholders in the state to place the interest of Rivers State above personal ambitions, saying that the progress of the state should remain a collective responsibility of all citizens.
The royal father appealed to youths in the state to shun violence and criminal activities, while embracing dialogue, education and legitimate means of livelihood that would contribute positively to the growth of the state.
He expressed optimism that Rivers State would continue to experience greater peace, unity and development under the Governor’s leadership, and prayed for wisdom and strength for him as he pilots the affairs of the state.
 King Onunwor
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