News

PDP Expulsions Commissioners Tackle Obuah

Published

12 years ago

August 30, 2013

Eight commissioners who were not listed among those expelled by the Felix Obuah-led faction of Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for failing to appear before the Performance Assessment Committee of the party last week have dissociated themselves from the exercise.
Addressing newsmen last Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi and their counterparts in Transport, George Tolofari, Youth Development, Owene Wonodi and Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Ipalibo Harry said they did not make any representation or appear before the panel, as might have been construed in some quarters.
Transport Commissioner, George Tolofari said their exclusion was a ploy to sow seed of discord amongst members of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi cabinet and paint them as saboteurs”.
“I see the whole thing as a calculated attempt to cause disaffection and mistrust amongst the commissioners,” he said.
The same view was held by Sampson Parker, who disclosed that he was outside the country while the exercise was conducted, saying his loyalty to Governor Amaechi remains resolute.
“The whole thing is coloured with an ulterior motive and will not succeed,” he added.
On his part, Dr. Ipalibo Harry said it would be malicious for the party officials to claim that he and other of his colleagues appeared before it.
Describing their exclusion from the expulsion as a ploy to cause disaffection, Harry added,” I am faithful to this government and will remain so’’.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Owene Wonodi stated that he did not receive any invitation, as he challenged the party committee to provide evidence of his appearance, whether in person or through a representative.
Commissioner for Finance, Chamberlain Peterside, said he returned to the country last Saturday after the committee might have concluded its activity.
He condemned the plans of the Obuah-led faction of the PDP for attempting to cause ‘’malicious’’ disaffection amongst Amaechi’s cabinet, and wondered what they would gain by fighting the government.
Peterside said their exclusion from the expusion list cannot compromise their support for the Amaechi government.
“My decision to serve in this government is based on principle and personal affection to the governor. I will go to sleep anytime, any day for serving in this administration,” he maintained.
Also, Commissioner forSpecial Duties, Barr Dickson Umunakwe challenged the Felix Obuah-led executive of the PDP to show evidence of invitation extended to him by the Performance Evaluation Panel.
Barr Umunakwe argued that he was neither present at the panel nor did he submit any document to it, because its intention remains to cause disunity in Governor Amaechi’s cabinet.
Speaking to newsmen in Port-Harcourt, the commissioner said his loyalty to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Chief Godspower Ake-led PDP remained unflinching.
Barr Umunakwe remarked that the hallmark of a purposeful leadership was problem-solving and not divisive or vindictive tendencies, charging Governor Amaechi to remain focused in the task ahead.
He said the statement of the Obuah-led executive of the PDP concerning the presentation and appearance of some of his appointees and aides before the Performance Evaluation Committee including himself, occasioning their exclusion from the expulsion list was highly condemnable.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Gogo Levi Charles has described as a figment of their imagination, claims by the Obuah-led PDP that he was not expelled because he allegedly honoured their invitation to appear before the panel.
Incidentally, “I did not make the list of those expelled, an indication that I am one of the commissioners who, either sent in a representation or honoured the invitation of the committee in whatever guise”, he noted.
He said that “for the avoidance of doubt, I am as shocked by this development as it has been with the horrifying development in our political space in the last couple of months.
Let me state categorically that I never received any invitation in whatsoever form from the committee for the said purpose. Consequently, there would be no basis for attending, sending representation or report to any such committee, he said.

News

EFCC Indicts Banks, Fintechs In N162bn Scams

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has indicted a new generation bank, six Fintechs and some microfinance banks in major financial scams by allowing fraudsters to launder huge sums of money.

Director of public Affairs of the Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, made this known at a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, the compromised institutions allegedly allowed cryptocurrency transactions worth N162 billion to pass through without proper due diligence within the 2024/2025 financial year.

He said that the financial institutions clearly compromised banking procedures and allowed the fraudsters to safely change their ill-gotten gains into digital assets and move them to safe destinations.

“A total sum of N18.1 billion was moved through the financial system without due diligence of customers by the banks.

“It is worrisome that investigations by the commission showed that cryptocurrency transactions to the tune of N162 billion passed through a new generation bank without any due diligence.

“Investigations showed that a single customer maintained 960 accounts in another new bank and all the accounts were used for fraudulent purposes.

“That is bad news but the good news is that following our intervention the commission has been able to recover N33.62 million, which has been returned to some of the victims.”

He explained that the scams were in two categories, adding that the first was a syndicate of fraudsters that employed an airline discount scheme to lure their victims.

He said that they advertised a discount system for the purchase of flight tickets of a particular foreign carrier.

“The payment module is designed in such a way that the victims’ payment is actually made into the account of the airline.

“After payment is made the passenger’s entire funds in his bank account are emptied.

“Investigations showed that more than 700 victims have been scammed so far, with a loss of N651 million,” he said.

According to him, investigations show that the scheme is being masterminded by a foreign national; the commission has so far recovered and released N33 million to victims of the fraud.

He said that another scheme involved a company named Fred and Farid Investment Limited, simply called FF investment, which lured Nigerians into a bogus investment arrangement.

“More than 200, 000 victims have been defrauded in this regard. A total sum of N18 billion was raked in through nine companies offering diverse investment packages.

“The companies are: Credio Banco Limited; Deliberty Rock Limited; Liam Chumeks Global Service; Ngwuoke Daniels Technology; and Icons Autos and Import Merchant.

“Others are : Newpace Technology Services Limited, Primepath Ways Ventures Limited, Kaka Synergy Network Limited and Sunlight Tech Hub Services Limited.”

He said that foreign nationals were behind the schemes, while there are three Nigerian accomplices who have been arrested and charged to court.

He said that the masterminds were on the run and efforts are being made to bring them to book.

“The Commission is calling on regulatory bodies to bring financial institutions to compulsory compliance with regulations in the areas of Know Your Customers (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and others.

“Deposit Money Banks, Fintechs, Micro Finance Banks found to be aiding and abetting fraudsters should be suspended and referred to the EFCC for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

“Negligence and failure to monitor suspicious and structured transactions by banks should no longer be allowed,” he said.

While cautioning members of the public to be wary of these actors, he said that the EFCC would continue its works against money laundering by fraudulent actors.

Uwujaren urged financial institutions to firm up their operational dynamics and save the nation leakages and compromises bleeding the economy.

News

Group Advocates Indigenous Language Sustainability, Calls for Policy Action

Published

4 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.

The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.

Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.

“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.

He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.

Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.

According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.

The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.

News

Rivers Boundary Commission Steps In to Resolve Okoloma–Ban-Ogoi Land Dispute

Published

4 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

As part of deliberate efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and prevent communal conflict, the Rivers State Boundary Commission has intervened in the long-standing boundary dispute between Okoloma (Afam) Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area and Ban-Ogoi Community in Tai Local Government Area of the state.

The intervention followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commission at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, January 16, 2026. The meeting was aimed at setting up a technical committee that will work towards an amicable and lasting resolution of the land dispute between the two neighbouring communities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, stressed the importance of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding in resolving boundary-related disagreements. She urged all parties to approach the process with sincerity and restraint, noting that sustainable peace can only be achieved through constructive engagement.

Prof. Odu advised the communities to emulate the peaceful disposition and leadership style of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by presenting their grievances and petitions without bitterness or rancour, assuring them of the Commission’s commitment to fairness and justice.

She also expressed satisfaction with the presence of the Chairmen of Tai and Oyigbo Local Government Areas at the meeting, describing it as a clear demonstration of their resolve to maintain peace and harmony between the affected communities.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Dr. Okechukwu Akara Nwaogu, and his Tai Local Government Area counterpart, Hon. Mbakpone Okpe, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring peaceful coexistence among their people. They emphasized that peace is critical to attracting development and investment to the area.

Both council chairmen commended the Rivers State Boundary Commission for its proactive intervention, expressing optimism that the establishment of a technical committee would pave the way for a fair and enduring resolution of the dispute.