Rivers

RSG Tasks Development Committees On Work Plan

Published

16 years ago

February 23, 2010

The Rivers State government has warned all Community Development Committees (CDCs), Cluster Development Boards (CDBs) and other quasi-administrative structures it set up with the host communities and oil companies’ residents, to fast-tract development in these communities to work in tandem with their respective traditional institutions or be dissolved. The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Dr Tammy Danagogo handed down the warning last week Monday, in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the Kula Regional Development Council (KRDC). The Commissioner noted that the previous council was dissolved because of “divided loyalty, internal wrangling and destructive clash of interests among members”.
He recounted numerous efforts made by the state government in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS), to foster peace in Kula Kingdom in the Akuku Toru Local Government Area (AKULGA) and how, in the process, Chief Kroma Amabibi Eleki-Sara XIV, was recognised as the rightful king of the community, a development which led to the upgrading of the royal stool to a 3rd class status, a development that would count for the good of the community and its citizens.
According to the commissioner, that recognition requires the existence of other functional governance structures, thus the importance of the Kula Regional Development Council (KRDC), which was designed to conceive and implement specific projects and programmes in conjunction with Chevron Nig Ltd and the state government for Kula and its constituent areas.
He reiterated that the ministry would not accept situations where appointees into such governance structures like Community Project Advisory Councils, Cluster Development Boards, or Foundations and Community Development Committees, etc behaves like autonomous bodies and become rival authorities in their respective communities, instead of being complementary organs designed to coordinate and activate the community development process in the state.
In his remarks, the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom, Chief Kroma Eleki-Sara XIV, expressed optimism that the real indigenes of Kula would not inhabit the community’s progress, regretting that several sad events had taken place in Kula over the years.
The royal father, however, commended the commissioner for the pains he took in midwifing the present momentum for the development of Kula, in spite of “the abuses and blackmail that you suffered in the process”.
Speaking after the inauguration of the 20-member KRDC, the chairman, Mr. Stanley Benibo assured that “our efforts, as members of this council, will be geared towards the realisation of the three-point vision of the Amanyanabo of Kula, HRM King Kroma Amabibi Eleki-Sara XIV, which is to ensure the physical and infrastructural development of Kula and turn it from a rural settlement to a semi-urban community.

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.

Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.

The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.

National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.

Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.

He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.

Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.

On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.

She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Seminitari was later presented an award.

New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.

There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.

They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.

According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.

The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.

They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.

Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.

They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.

Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.

The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.

President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.

The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.

According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.

The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.

He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.

According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.

The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.

Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.

“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.

The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.

Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.

The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.

Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.

By; King Onunwor