Rivers

Seven Groups Renounce Cultism In LG

Published

4 years ago

October 18, 2021

Over seven cult groups in Andoni Local Government Area of the State have taken oaths before the deities of Obolo to embrace the peace accord offered by the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barr Erastus Awortu.
The cult groups include, Iceland, Greenish, Degbam, Mend, Unyengala-Ikpangi, and OSPAC .
The groups which were represented by their leaders last Friday at York Obolo Shrine in Agwut Obolo Town, had a covenant with the gods of the land to shun killings and other cult related violence in the area.
The peace accord was done in the presence of Andoni traditional rulers, the Anti-Cultism Commander representing Commissioner of Police in the State Command, the Council Chairman and officials of the council, chiefs and elders of Obolo nation.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Barr Erastus Awortu, expressed the need for the various cult groups and individuals to embrace peace in the area.
According to him, his administration is working tirelessly to create an enabling environment for infrastructural and human capacity development that will engage mostly youths in the area.
He said his vision toward the development of Andoni could only be achieved, if there was peace in the land.
“We commit ourselves as government to ensure there is peace in Andoni, because without peace we cannot achieve our mission toward development in the area.
“We are prepared to change the face of Andoni developments by the grace of God, but I don’t think we can succeed in doing that, if our youths keep fighting themselves to scare investors and contractors away.
“We have a lot to do to better the lives of our youths, very soon we will come out with by-laws to restrict unnecessary hunting and felling of economic trees to create tourism for employment, we will also engage some of the companies working within our area to empower some meaningful youths.
“Please be sincere in your peace agreement, I will not fail all of you that embrace this peace”, Erastus assured.
Also sparking, the Chairman of Andoni Traditional Rulers Council, King William Okruket Nnabiget, commended the repentant cultists for accepting peace offered by the council chairman, assuring that the council of traditional rulers will work with the government to ensure empowerment and employment for the youths.
The monarch also commended the Chairman of the LGA , Erastus Awortu for efforts made to ensure peace and development in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the repentant cultists, the leader of Iceland group in Andoni, George Adumu, expressed willingness of the cult groups to come together to embrace peace in the area.
Adumu promised end of cult related violence in the area, appealing to governments at all levels and multinational companies to engage youths to reduce restiveness in the area.
Adumu accused traditional rulers, chiefs and politicians as major sponsors of some youths to achieve their interest and called for their inclusion in oaths taking.
He said there would be permanent peace if the chiefs and politicians ceased to engage the youths in violence.
Recall that before Barr Erastus Awortu took over the mantle of leadership in Andoni Local Government Area as Chairman, the area was infested with cult-related violence with attendant loss of lives and property since 2017.

By: Enoch Epelle

Rivers

Navy Targets Training Reforms To Boost Maritime Operations

Published

1 day ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has pledged to strengthen the training of its personnel to ensure improved performance in both sea and land operations across the country.

The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, made this known on Monday during a handover and takeover ceremony held in Ebubu-Eleme, Rivers.

The Tide’s source reports that Zipele succeeded Rear Adm. Robert Obeya following a recent posting exercise that saw the redeployment of 65 senior officers.

Zipele stated that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, had reiterated his commitment to professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence within the Navy.

“This can only be achieved through effective training and retraining of personnel”, he said.

The FOC added that beyond training, his administration would work closely with the Naval Headquarters to enhance training standards and operational efficiency across all Nigerian Navy training institutions.

“President Bola Tinubu deemed it necessary to appoint new Service Chiefs to restructure the nation’s security architecture.

“In line with this mandate of the CNS, one of our key goals is to review and improve our training systems to address contemporary security challenges.

“The CNS is deeply passionate about personnel training because it is essential to achieving operational efficiency in addressing the current security issues facing our nation,” he explained.

Zipele emphasised that every sailor had a crucial role to play in building on the Navy’s existing successes in combating oil theft, sea robbery and piracy, among other maritime crimes.

He noted that NAVTRAC was responsible for overseeing the training of personnel across its professional institutions to prepare them for emerging security threats.

According to him, the Navy’s training programmes will be enhanced through the integration of modern technologies to ensure greater effectiveness.

“The only way to confront security challenges facing our nation is through intensive and continuous training across all formations and units.

“As I assume command of NAVTRAC, I am confident that with the support of the CNS and personnel, we will elevate the standard of training in the Nigerian Navy to greater heights”, Zipele affirmed.

In his remarks, the outgoing FOC, Obeya, said the command achieved significant progress despite some challenges encountered during his tenure.

He commended the officers, ratings and civilian staff for their cooperation and urged them to extend the same level of support to his successor.

“During my command, we prioritised the use of technology, certification, and the accreditation of Nigerian Navy professional courses.

“We developed strategies to revitalise naval training in line with the new platform acquisitions, ensuring that our graduates can compete favourably with their counterparts across the world”, Obeya said.

He added that the command had addressed statutory training requirements and conducted a curriculum review to align with current security realties.

He, however, noted a shortage of the skilled manpower required to effectively deliver training in naval institutions.

Rivers

New Year Festival: Dokubo Urges Citizens’ Reorientation In Cultural Values

Published

1 day ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Paramount Ruler of Torusaramapiri, Kalabari ethnic group in Rivers, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has called for citizens’ reorientation in cultural values and heritage.

He made the call at the second edition of the Kalabari New Year festival, organised by the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation at Elem, Kalabari, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Dokubo said it represented a return to the traditional values of the Kalabari people.

He also stressed the need for the people to prioritise their cultural norms and values to preserve their ancestral identity.

“This is not just about celebration, it’s about recreating ourselves, bringing us back from death; it is not just Kalabari, it’s about all of us and our values.

‘’It is time we began to re-evaluate ourselves, join hands, revive our traditional values and heritage so that we don’t loose our cultural identity and spiritual trajectory”, Dokubo said.

Speaking, the Chief Administrator and Chairman of Kalabari Renaissance Foundation (the organisers of the festival), Mr. Awolayeofori Harry MacMorrison, said the event marked the beginning of a new calendar year for the Kalabari people.

He explained that the festival was an annual ritual, observed after November 15 when the tide cleansed the pollution from the popular Sombrero River, describing the annual occurance as a renewal of the Kalabari people.

MacMorrison said though the festival was not new to the people, the initiative by the Renaissance Foundation had made it more unifying.

“It is the renewal of the people, Kalabari area is a saline environment and at specific period of the year, the Sombrero River flows in and pollutes the river.

“However, November 15, across Kalabari, the tide turns and takes all the fresh water that polluted the saline river back to the Sombrero River”, he said.

He explained that with the natural occurrence, the Kalabari calendar year ended every November 15, while November 16 would mark the beginning of the year in the community.

On his part, the President, Tourism Association of Nigeria (EFTAN), Mr. Badaki Aliyu, commended the organisers and the people for preserving their age-long culture.

He also applauded the paramount ruler for sustaining the trend, saying that the festival would continue to promote unity in the area.

“We won’t take this visit for granted, we will do a lot of research and publicity on this.

“We would also ensure that these natural toursm potentials are properly channeled for the economic good of the people”, Aliyu added.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Ikwerre Council Boss Bans Scavenger Operations

Published

1 week ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, has banned scavenger operations within the area, citing rising security threats, vandalism, and environmental degradation linked to the activity.

Wobodo made the declaration during an unscheduled visit to one of the scavenger sites in Elele Community, recently.

He also expressed concern over the illegal operations being carried out under the guise of scrap collection.

Accordingly, he said the council could no longer tolerate activities that endanger lives and properties.

The Chairman, who was visibly displeased with the level of disorder and environmental nuisance at the site, said several reports had linked scavengers to cases of theft, vandalism of public infrastructure, and unwholesome environmental practices.

“From what I have seen here today, it is clear that these scavengers are operating outside the law. We cannot allow this to continue”, he said.

According to him, the council’s decision to impose a total ban was informed by the increasing security challenges and complaints from residents and community leaders.

“We have received numerous reports of missing cables, stolen manhole covers, and break-ins traced to scavengers. Enough is enough!”, he declared.

Wobodo further disclosed that security agencies had been directed to immediately seal all scavenger sites in the local government area and arrest anyone found operating or aiding such activities.

“Anyone who buys from these illegal operators will be treated as an accomplice. We are determined to rid Ikwerre of all forms of criminals disguised as scavenging”, he said.

During the visit, the chairman ordered the immediate evacuation of all waste materials and condemned the unhygienic state of the site. He described the location as a potential health hazard and an environmental risk to surrounding residents.

Speaking with The Tide after the chairman’s visit, a resident of Elele, Mr. Bright Eke, commended the council’s decision, noting that scavengers had become a source of insecurity in the area.

“We’ve had several cases where they steal electric cables and invade people’s compounds. This action by the chairman is long overdue”, he said.

Meanwhile, the people have called on the KELGA boss to form Environmental and Security taskforce teams in order to begin immediate enforcement of the ban in Elele and other major communities in the area.

By: King Onunwor