City Crime
NDDC Medical Service: Police Investigate Violent Disruption
Abia State Police Command has commenced investigation into the June 23 violent disruption of a free medical programme at the Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Autonomous Community (ONAC) civic centre, which led to the death of a female patient.
Also, a medical equipment (an electronic device) worth N1.5 million and cash belonging to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) officials, organisers of the programme, were said to have been stolen by the irate youths. The youths destroyed canopies and torched several buildings. The free medical programme, targeted at the rural poor, was to run from June 20- 26.
Leaders of ONAC, who refuted claims by the traditional ruler of Umuosu Autonomous Community, Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe that ONAC youths were responsible for the violence, alleged that youths from Umuosu, a neighbouring community, disrupted the programme on its third day.
They said the youths beat up doctors, NDDC officials and chased away thousands of people who had come for treatment from across Abia and other states.
According to them, the woman who died hails from Ofeme, an Ohuhu sub-clan. A Special Adviser to the ONAC traditional ruler, Dr. Chijioke Odimuko, said doctors had already opened her tummy when the violence began and they were forced to abandon their patient and flee for their lives, even as the woman had to run with her intestine gushing out. She reportedly died two days later.
Odimuko said available evidence point to the fact that the attack by Umuosu youths was premeditated.
He said Umuosu is half of a village of the eight villages in ONAC, and since it has been accorded autonomous status, it should hands off facilities belonging to ONAC.
President-General of ONAC Welfare Union, Chief Emma Azubuine, accused the traditional ruler of Umuosu, Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe of fomenting the trouble because he was denied the honour of flagging of the programme..
Azubuine said Eze Mbakwe, who arrived the venue few minutes to the 12 noon period for the flagging-off ceremony on June 23, had told the NDDC officials that he was the authentic paramount ruler of the area and that they should deal with him only.
The ONAC President-General, who said his house was vandalised by Umuosu youths, who stole the sum of N800, 000 and a laptop belonging to his son from the building, added the civic centre venue of the programme belonged to the ONAC, where Umuosu had no jurisdiction.
He said NDDC did write to their traditional ruler, Eze Philip Owoghiri, whom they had asked to make adequate security arrangements, and come to flag-off the programme officially.
ONAC Youth President, Chukwemeka Aguocha, an Engineer, who gave graphic details of how the trouble started, having been piloting the effective crowd control put in place by ONAC youths, denied that Eze Mbakwe was pushed down at the civic centre as the monarch had claimed in a Press Briefing shortly after the incident.
He said the Eze was duly recognised but told by NDDC officials that he could not go into the civic centre with the crowd that came with him because it was which was being used as consulting rooms by doctors.
Aguocha said that about 50 Umuosu youths armed with dangerous weapons invaded the civic centre and destroyed everything that was in sight and even slapped NNDC doctors with matches less than five minutes after their monarch was taken into the civic centre.
Eze Owoghiri, whose convoy was attacked by the youths on his way to the venue, said the incident shocked him as he has always stood for peace.
He said he reported the matter to the Police after escaping from the mob.” If not for my tolerance, there would have been great bloodshed. I am praying that God will help us to have peace,” he said.
A senior police officer told The Tide that investigations into the violence has commenced.
City Crime
Fanfare, Pageantry As Ohiauga Community Honours 31 Eminent Personalities with Maiden Leadership Awards
Ohiauga Community in Igburu Clan, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, witnessed an unprecedented spectacle of celebrations, fanfare and cultural splendour as it honoured 31 distinguished personalities for their outstanding leadership qualities, selfless service and immense contributions to the growth and development of the community.
The historic event, which took place at the Ohiauga Community Town Hall, marked the maiden edition of the Ohiauga Leadership Awards and saw 27 illustrious sons and daughters of the community, alongside four non-indigenes, decorated with various honours in recognition of their unwavering commitment to the socio-economic, political and infrastructural advancement of the area.
From the early hours of the day, the once serene and seemingly sleepy community was transformed into a beehive of activities. The atmosphere was electrified with excitement as the sound of music echoed from different corners of the community. Everywhere was colourful, lively and festive, as men, women, youths and children, young and old, trooped out in large numbers, beautifully adorned in elegant traditional and modern attires.
The favourable weather further added glamour and grace to the occasion, enhancing the beauty and splendour of the event, as the people, stakeholders and visitors savoured every moment of the celebration.
Adding royal splendour to the colourful ceremony was the presence of the Eze of Igburu Clan, Eze Igburu IV of Igburu Land, His Majesty Eze Kenneth Nwabochi, who arrived at the venue in full royal regalia, accompanied by his retinue of chiefs, elders and other palace officials. His presence was a clear testament to the significance of the occasion and underscored the unity and collective resolve of the people to celebrate excellence and service.
One after the other, the award recipients stepped forward amid thunderous applause, cheers and admiration from the audience. These were men and women whose years of dedication, sacrifice and contributions have helped place Ohiauga Community on the map in terms of political relevance, socio-economic growth and self-help-driven development.
Indeed, Ohiauga Community today boasts of notable achievements credited largely to community-based initiatives, including a relatively good road network, stable and uninterrupted electricity supply powered through solar infrastructure, and other basic amenities that have improved the quality of life of its people. The honoured individuals, it was observed, have played significant roles in achieving these milestones, leaving their unmistakable footprints on the community’s development journey.
By honouring them, the community made it clear that the awards were not meant to signal retirement from service, but rather to encourage the recipients to intensify their efforts and continue to give back to their fatherland. Community leaders noted that although progress has been recorded, Ohiauga still faces serious developmental challenges that require sustained commitment and collective action.
Prominent among these challenges is the absence of a functional healthcare facility. The only cottage hospital project in the community, allegedly initiated by Total Energies Limited several years ago, was said to have been abandoned, leaving residents without adequate medical care. The community strongly appealed to the Rivers State Government to intervene and revive the project in the interest of the people.
The education sector was also not spared. The Ohiauga Community Primary School, according to the community, is allegedly in good shape, with a conducive learning environment, but lacks enough classroom teachers, as there is only one government-employed classroom teacher. To fill the void, the community reportedly employed five additional teachers from its meagre resources and currently bears the responsibility of paying their salaries.
These realities, stakeholders explained, provided further justification for the decision to celebrate and honour individuals who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the welfare and development of the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Ohiauga Maiden Leadership Awards, Pastor (Dr) David Chizor Nwaoburu, described the event as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering peace, unity and development, while recognising and rewarding excellence and service.
According to him, the award ceremony was designed to honour eminent personalities who have distinguished themselves in public and private life, and who have continued to make meaningful contributions to the growth of Ohiauga Community.
Dr Nwaoburu, who was himself among the award recipients, said the recognition was intended to motivate the honourees to do more for the community and not to rest on their achievements. He urged them to continue to serve the interests of the people wherever they find themselves and to remain ambassadors of peace and development.
He further reiterated the need for government intervention in the abandoned cottage hospital project and the posting of teachers to the primary school by the state government, stressing that community development in Ohiauga has largely been driven by self-help efforts.
Among those honoured at the event were Pastor (Dr) David Chizor Nwaoburu; former Bursar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr Davis Ojima; the Registrar of the institution, Dr Chinonye A. Ajie; Dr Obi Chukwuma Ebenezer Jular; Elder Kemmer Mark Godwin; Dr Nwokoji Chukwuemeka; Mr Nduka Louis Odiegba; Dr (Chief) (Mrs) Ojima; Comrade Chimezie Igwela; Engr Gideon Eke; Chief (Prof) H. A. Ajie; Hon. Sule Igwela; and Dr Obi Nwaoburu.
Others included Prof. (Mrs) Jennifer Igwela; Dr Charity Ajie; Eric David Orukwo; the Paramount Ruler of Ohiauga Community, HRH Dr Amb. Bright Abali; Mr Chukwudi Lloyd Reuben; Comrade Wisdom Adieme; and the member representing ONELGA Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Nwabochi.
Also recognised were Comrade Kelvin London Oji; Pastor Smart Brass Maduagu; Chief (Hon.) K. O. Igwela; Harmony Igwela; Comrade Onyemaobi Igwela; and Late Elder Nwaba Maduagu, who received a posthumous award in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the community.
The four non-indigenes honoured for their dedicated services and goodwill towards the community were Hon. Marculey Ogolo; Hon. ThankGod Chibor; Comrade Kingsley Ogu; and Pastor G. Oreke, who was specially recognised as the only dedicated government classroom teacher at Ohiauga Community Primary School.
Reacting to the honour, the Registrar of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr Chinonye A. Ajie, described the award as a step in the right direction and a thoughtful gesture that encourages service and excellence. He called for harmonious relationships among all segments of the community and pledged his continued support towards education, job creation and collective development.
Former Bursar of the university, Dr Davis Ojima, also expressed gratitude to the community for recognising his contributions, assuring that he would remain committed to promoting peace, unity and sustainable development initiatives in Ohiauga.
Business mogul, Mr Nduka Louis Odiegba, said being honoured by one’s own community carries special significance, describing the recognition as the most cherished among the many awards he has received. He pledged to intensify his contributions to the welfare and development of the people, noting that “charity must begin at home.”
In his royal remarks, the Eze of Igburu Clan, His Majesty Eze Kenneth Nwabochi, emphasised the importance of peace, unity and the preservation of cultural values, describing the maiden Ohiauga Leadership Awards as a timely initiative aimed at strengthening communal bonds and fostering collective progress.
Giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees, Mr Chukwudi Lloyd Reuben, thanked the community for finding them worthy of recognition, and commended the leadership and merit award committee for the excellent packaging of the programme. He urged the awardees to continue with their good work to the community, as the merit awards were a clarion call for more community development involvement and a wake up call for others to emulate the leadership qualities exhibited by the awardees.
Overall, the maiden Ohiauga Leadership Awards ceremony lived up to its billing, serving not only as a platform to celebrate excellence and service but also as a rallying point for renewed commitment to the development of the community, amid resounding jubilation, merriment and cultural pride.
By: Donatus Ebi
