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Amaechi, Four Others Get PDP Guber Flag …As Jonathan Orders Probe Into Campaign Tragedy

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15 years ago

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Amid thunderous applause, Governor Chibuike Amaechi and four of his counterparts from the South-South last Saturday received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guber flags for the April polls.

The acting National Chairman of the party, Dr Mohammed Bello handed the flags to the governors during the South-South PDP presidential rally held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.

Dr Mohammed while handing over the party’s flags to the guber candidates said the ceremony was  symbolic as it demonstrated the mandate of the party for them to fly its flags at the state level during the April polls and  enjoined them to ensure the victory of all PDP candidates in the election.

He noted that the people of the South-South had bestowed on Nigeria  a great gift through President Jonathan whom he described as the best candidate at the moment.

Dr Mohammed thanked PDP faithfuls who turned up at the occasion, saying though the party had recorded huge crowd in other zones, that of the South-South was unprecedented.

Earlier in his address, zonal Vice Chairman of the party in the South-South, Chief Okon Nkpubre said the governors got the flags because of their performance in governance.

“ Your people are happy with you, that is why they are giving you a second term, he said.

He urged the governors not to underrate their opponents but to ensure that the party sweeps the polls.

Chief Nkpubre who described the South-South as PDP enclave also said that PDP would recapture Edo State at the polls to ensure total victory in the zone.

Responding, Governor Amaechi who burst into song and spoke in an emotion laden voice described the event as historic, while thanking God for emerging the candidate of the party after he was disqualified in 2007.

Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke said the rally was significant as it marked the beginning of massive PDP victory in the April polls.

Senator Imoke said the party had an edge over other political parties because its presidential candidate is the best prepared and qualified for the office.

In his words, “ we are just beginning the campaign. The engine is heating up and the steam was just starting, adding that the country,  needs new and dynamic leaders as symbolised in the candidacy of Dr Jonathan”.

Following the unfortunate stampede at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Presidential Rally at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered an immediate investigation into the causes of the incident.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who disclosed this Saturday night when he visited victims at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), Port Harcourt said the President gave the order before departing the state.

Governor Amaechi, who was visibly shaken by the loss of lives in the unfortunate incident, said “we may not be able to say anything until the security agencies must have turned in their report after investigation”.

He explained that government would take care of the medical bills of all those being treated, and would try to reach the families of those that lost their lives to see what level of assistance that could be given to them.

The governor said ‘it is quite sad and extremely painful that the party will come out from such a celebration to meet this kind of tragedy, “we, however, believe that God will give the families of those that died the courage to bear the irreparable loss”.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker has disclosed that a total of 11 persons have been confirmed dead following the incident.

Dr Parker said out of the number, 10 persons died at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), while one person died at the Teme Clinic in Port Harcourt where they were rushed to.

In another development,  the president expressed shock and sadness over the stampede at the PDP campaign rally in Port Harcourt which claimed some lives.

A statement issued by Mr Ima Niboro, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Port Harcourt said that the President described the incident as very unfortunate.

“The President mourns with the families of the deceased and prays the Almighty to grant repose to their souls.

“President Jonathan notes with a heavy heart that the deceased were persons who came to celebrate his success at the PDP primaries and wish him well in the coming elections,” the statement said.

The statement quoted Jonathan as saying: “I am sad and heavily weighed down by this incident.

“It is sad, unfortunate and regrettable. I mourn with those who mourn tonight. May God grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.’’

The statement said that the President had directed that a full-scale investigation should be carried out into the stampede.

Our correspondent reports that the stampede occurred shortly after the rally when party supporters were trooping out of Port Harcourt’s Liberation Stadium, venue of the South-South campaign rally.

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Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama 

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.
According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.
He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.
According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.
He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.
“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.
Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.
“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.
“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.
“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.
“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.
In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.
He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.
While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.
Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.
He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community
Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.
Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.
She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.
Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.
Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.
She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.
By: John Bibor
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Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants 

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.
He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.
The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.
He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.
He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.
Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.
According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.
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NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.
Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Dr. Ogbuku  represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.
He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.
 “ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust  and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.
 when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated
He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.
Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.
In his  keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,
Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.
The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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