Niger Delta
Participants Flay Calabar Festival Nude Show
Some tourists and residents have described as distasteful’ the appearance of some of the female participants at the just-concluded Calabar Carnival. Some spectators at the grand finale of the carnival, held on December 27, told newsmen that they were dismayed by the nude display by ladies during the event.
A US-based Nigerian, Mr Ikpafak Udofia, expressed displeasure at the costumes and the dress code of the girls on parade, asking “is it modernisation or madness?
“I love my culture and I love my people but such nudity in the name of cultural exposition or whatever they called it is ridiculous.
“For women to walk on the streets almost naked in the name of carnival, is dishonourable to me, to my mother and wife and I wonder what the designers of those costumes were thinking,’’ he said.
Another US-based Nigerian Miss Gloria Ekong, however, called for caution in condemning the carnival attires.
Ekong said: “whether these girls have a secret agenda or not; their intention is to have fun with creative costumes. Trust me they don’t have to be in that attire to carry out their ‘secret agenda’.
“I personally wish that l have a killer body like that. We can be too judgmental under the guise of religion.’’
Another Nigerian in the Diaspora, Mrs Rosie Udo, said that there was nothing untoward in the appearance of the maidens’ “ If these were men with extended belly, skinning legs, flat butt with skimpy wrappers, will that be honourable? Today’s African men are so disgusted with women and their bodies.” Another Nigerian, Mr Chris Udoh, based in Port Harcourt said: “ as a man, I will not lose sleep if a woman decides on her own to walk naked in the streets.
“It is a good saving for a man because what he would have paid money or begged to view is given out by the owner free-of-charge. “
Walking naked is part of ‘uncommon transformation’ of the African women to their ancestral days when men used to live in caves. “The truth is that African women who walk naked on the streets are cheapening their natural worth and beauties. `
“ Though it can buy short term attention but what happens thereafter, becomes a burden to the seller only,’’ he said the 2012 edition of the Calabar Carnival ended with the Masta Blasta Band winning first position in the grand finale of parade, kick started by the Cross River Acting Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham.
The Passion-4- Band came second in the parade while Freedom Band was third. The five competing bands displayed various colours, glamour and dance steps while interpreting the theme of this year’s carnival entitled “Celebrating a New Dawn’’.
The traditional carnival bands, including Sea Gulls and the Bayside Band, the Brazilian National Band and the Trinidad and Tobago Steel band as well as other non-competing bands participated in the event.
Dignitaries who participated in the carnival include Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and the Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba .
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.