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Wike, Nsirim, NGE, Others Mourn The Tide Editor

Published

4 years ago

August 25, 2021

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has conveyed the condolences of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to the management and staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation over the death of the Acting Editor (Daily) of The Tide, Mrs. Juliet Njiowhor, whose demise occurred, last Saturday.
Accompanied by principal officers of the ministry on a condolence visit to the corporation, yesterday, Nsirim described Mrs. Njiowhor’s death as a big blow to the ministry and the corporation.
“We have lost somebody whose sterling qualities as a professional stood her out both here and outside the state. For me, I have lost a friend. It is really heart-breaking,” he said.
The commissioner extolled the good qualities of Mrs. Njiowhor, adding that the event of her death should be a moment of sober reflection for the living.
“We should use the moment to reflect on our lives as individuals on the kind of legacy we leave behind.
“I can say without fear of contradiction that Julie put in her best as Editor of The Tide, I know some moments when I called her in the wee hours of the day, she was on production.
“Somebody who had a family and putting in her best for the newspaper thrice a week really speaks a lot about her sense of industry and commitment to serve Rivers State,” he said.
Nsirim, therefore, charged the editorial team of the corporation to ensure that her legacies of professionalism and hard work were built upon.
He commended the management for doing its best to keep the newspaper afloat within available resources.
He urged members of management to work collaboratively to maintain the brand image, brand identity and quality of The Tide which has stood out as the only surviving state-owned newspaper in the country.
Responding, the General Manager of the corporation, Chief Earnest Chinwo thanked the commissioner for the visit, and described the demise of Mrs. Njiowhor as a loss that was unexpected and devastating.
He, however, assured the commissioner that the management would do its best to maintain, if possible, surpass the standard the late Editor had set.
Similarly, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has expressed shock over the sudden death of the Acting Editor of The Tide, Mrs. Juliet Njiowhor.
Nsirim, who led principal officers of the ministry on a condolence visit to the family residence in Port Harcourt, last Monday, described the demise of Mrs. Njiowhor as incomprehensible.
He described the deceased as a dependable ally and a good friend.
According to him, “Up till now, I cannot comprehend the fact that Julie is no more. In a situation like this, what do we do? We cannot question God.
“We have lost a very courageous and prolific writer. Julie was one of our best hands in the media industry here in Rivers State, even at the level of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. She stood out among the Committee of Editors across the comity,” he said.
The commissioner expressed the grief of the ministry, and thanked God that she left behind good character and professional competence that could be attested to by those she left behind.
He promised the ministry’s readiness to join hands with the family to ensure a befitting burial for the departed.
In his response, the widower of the deceased, Sir Promise Njiowhor thanked the commissioner for coming to identify with the family at their time of grief.
He described the death of his wife as a shock that came at the wrong time.
He said the family would establish a foundation in her name to mark the first anniversary of her death to immortalise her for the desire she had for the Journalism profession.
In the same token, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) expressed shock and disbelief over the death of the Editor of the Port Harcourt-based, The Tide Newspaper, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor.
Mrs Njiowhor died on Saturday after a brief illness.
A statement signed by the President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah, explained that Mrs Njiowhor “was a two-term Standing Committee Member representing the Eastern Zone.
“She was at the 2021 NGE Convention in Kano where she contested for the position of Treasurer.
“Mrs Njiowhor’s death has robbed the Guild of a committed member who never missed any of its events since joining the organisation.
“Her death came shortly after that of our former Deputy President, Elder Esinjo Oqua Itu, in Calabar.
“The Guild takes solace in the fact that Mrs Njiowhor served humanity with diligence in her sojourn here on Earth.
“We extend our condolences to her husband and children as well as the management and staff of The Tide Newspaper and the people and Government of Rivers State.
“May her soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.
“A condolence register has been opened at the Editors’ House, No 24, Mojidi Street, Ikeja for Mrs Njiowhor,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the management and staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide Newspapers, have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Mrs Juliet Njiowhor.
Mrs Njiowhor was before her death, which occurred on Saturday, August 21, 2021, the Editor of The Tide Newspapers.
It would be recalled that before her appointment last year as the Acting Editor of The Tide, Njiowhor was Director, Publications of the corporation.
She had earlier served as Woman Editor and Midweek Editor of the newspaper.
At the union level, the deceased also served as a former chairman of The Tide Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), an active member of the Rivers State Council of the union, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editor (NGE), and a strong member of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
Meanwhile, the management of the Rivers State Newspapers Corporation has described the death of the Acting Editor of The Tide Newspaper, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor, as a big shock.
The General Manager of the corporation, Chief Ernest Chinwo said this when he led other members of management and executive of the three industrial unions in the corporation on a condolence visit to her family in Port Harcourt.
Chinwo said the entire staff was shocked by the incident, adding that the vacuum created by the sudden demise of the late Editor will be difficult to fill.
The general manager, however, urged the husband, Sir Promise Njiowhor, not to allow the sudden death of his wife to affect the family.
He urged him to play the role as a father by handling the situation as a man and head of the family in this fragile situation.
Responding, Sir Promise Njiowhor thanked the management for the visit, adding that the death of his wife has dealt a devastating blow to the family.
He also said the family was considering burying the deceased this weekend, but added that details of the burial would be made public soon.
However, The Tide Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that the death of Mrs Juliet Njiowhor came as a rude shock to The Tide NUJ family.
A statement by Chairman of the chapel, Akujobi Amadi, said their departed colleague was a mother to all.
“She was a mother to all of us and will be missed by all.
“Very caring, loving and supportive, she was a source of strength in the union,” he added.

By: John Bibor & Kevin Nengia

Featured

PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

15 hours ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

Featured

RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.

He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”

The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.

Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.

He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.

“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.

The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.

He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.

The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“

“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.

She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,

expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.

“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”

He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.

The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.

The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State

Featured

Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

3 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.

According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.

APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.

The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.

Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.

Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.

Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.

Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.

The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.

Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas

Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.

National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.

John Bibor & King Onunwor