News
RSG Vows To Find Abducted Nurse …Begins Work On Agba-Ndele-Abua Road
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has assured students of School of Nuring and Midwifery on the release of one of their teacher who was abducted two weeks ago.
Addressing protesting students of the two schools who marched down to Government House at the weekend, Amaechi through Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker said efforts have begun by security agencies to seek her release.
He lamented that the abducted teacher whose name was given as Beauty Frank Daminabo was capable of instilling fear and panic amongst students of the school, and pleaded for their understanding while the search lasts.
In the words of the governor, “when you start kidnapping the few lecturers they have who would take care of them?”
Principal of the state School of Nursing Rumueme, Florence Manda told reporters that this was not the first time the school had experienced such ugly incident as one of their students had died early this year in the hands of her abductors.
Said Manda,” the first victim died in the hands of her abductors following slow response from the authorities and now another one is about to happen. So we want government to please help us intensify efforts to locate her and release her for us.’’
On her part, Director Clinical Nursing Services, Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital (BSMH), Mrs Grace Jaja disclosed that the development has created fear in the minds of nurses, while wondering why nurses have become target for criminals.
She appealed to government to act quickly,” we want our father to know what is happening to us, so that they can intensify efforts to locate her’’.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Caretaker Committe of the Student Union Government (SUG) School of Nursing, Ibinye Minima disclosed that for over 12 days now no contact has been made with the teacher’s abductors.
“We don’t know where she is and we don’t know what is happening to her. We are not comfortable in school and we are not learning well,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has awarded contract for the construction of a bridge to link Agba-Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area and Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state.
The member of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Hon Lucky Worluh, who disclosed this during the second Rundele annual thanksgiving service, also said that a contract to connect the community to the national grid through Elele has also been awarded by the government.
Hon Worluh, however, urged the youths of Rundele to check the activities of electricity vandals as well as mobilize the people to continuously pray for the success of the Chibuike Amaechi-led administration in the state.
The board member I, who is the initiator of the annual Rundele prayer and thanksgiving service, said that the service was to seek the face of God in the area as well as create a forum for social interaction among the diverse people of the kingdom.
“The idea behind the Rundele thanksgiving is for Rundele people to come together to thank God for all He has been doing for us. Secondly, it is for us to interact socially, know ourselves, share ideas, opinions and exchange phone numbers for a better tomorrow”, he said.
Also speaking, the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Hon Justice Peter N Agumagu represented by the Deputy Registrar Administration, Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal, Sir James Elenwo, urged the people to build upon the prevailing peace in the area.
He also urged them to cultivate the virtues of love, honesty and sincerity as it is the only way to attract development to the kingdom.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mr Goodlife Nmekini, said that the service will continue to improve from year to year.
The guest preacher, Rev Father Hillary Okasunya enjoined the people to seek the face of God in every of their endeavours.
John Bibor
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi