News
Attack On RSG Fishing Vessel: Navy Nab Pirates
The Navy has arrested suspected pirates that attacked a Rivers State Government fishing vessel popularly known as the Blue Whale, off the Bonny Coast.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Aquaculture/Deep Sea Fishing, Hon. Kurotumuno Briggs who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said the Navy also apprehended a crew member who allegedly told the pirates the location of the vessel.
Briggs said that although no casualty was recorded in the incident, the pirates broke the head of the Captain and also dispossessed the crew of their materials including fish.
The Special Adviser said that the Buguma Fish Farm was also facing some security challenges, where he said Thai nationals and Israelis recently kidnapped had all left the country, stressing that government was now searching for those that would operate the farm.
He recounted the success of the Amaechi administration in this sector in the last six years, stating that the administration was on the verge of commencing work on the fish farm in Andoni.
“We really thanked God for the past six years of the present administration. We have seen tremendous improvements in aquaculture and deep sea fishing. People now hear of aquaculture, so everyone can attest to that. As I speak to you, we are almost completing the mega fish farm we are setting up in Buguma”, the Special Adviser said.
He said that the fish farms at Buguma and Andoni would generate employment opportunities for graduates and non-graduates alike while some of the fishes produced would be exported.
Also, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS ), Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, yesterday said that the war on crude oil theft was yielding results, with a general decline.
In a keynote address at the Naval Information Management Workshop in Lagos, yesterday, Ezeoba noted that the achievements recorded could not have been possible without the unalloyed commitment of officers and ratings.
The CNS, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ibok Ibas, said the theme of the workshop was apt, considering the unique role of the media in its support.
“Our recent efforts and the resultant gains in combating illegalities in our waters confer a duty on our friends in the media to generate the much-needed public awareness of what the service is doing in ensuring sanity in our maritime environment.
“This is also a shared responsibility on the part of the Nigerian Navy’s information personnel who must develop capacity for leveraging the media in all facets of the Naval operations,” he said.
Ezeoba, however, restated the commitment of the Navy to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the press, noting that the media serves as a reinforcing multiplier in modern warfare.
He said that the Navy was undergoing a massive transformation, in terms of infrastructure development, platform acquisition, barracks rehabilitation, training and welfare.
Dr Josef Bel-Molukwu, of the Pan-Atlantic University, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the social media and social networking, in building its image.
He said this in his paper entitled: “The Social Media As A Tool of Information Management in the Nigerian Navy.” He noted that though social tools generally lacked management capabilities that help protect identity, security, privacy and enhance compliance needs, it could be managed properly.
According to him, research has indicated that there were 5.1 billion searches on the Internet daily, stating that it was “a social trend in which people use technologies to get the things they needed from each other, rather than from traditional institutions”.
“It’s really about the relationships and the innate human desire to connect to each other, not just the technology,” he added.
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