News
CARNIRIV Kicks Off, Today
The Rivers State Government has dedicated this year’s Arts and Cultural Festival popularly known as CARNIRIV to the hands of God to ensure a hitch free celebration.
The event tagged CARNIRIV praise jam, heralds the official opening ceremony of the week-long activities today. Other events slated for the day include. Pilgrimage ’88 and Dance of Fire Flies (DOPF).
The Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Dr. Sam Dede, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday at the Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt.
According to him, “Praize Jam gives our people the opportunity to enjoy themselves, while we praize God for all we have gone through in the last 12 months, we have come a long way and we are still here and standing very strong in spite of the problems we have had as a state.
He stressed that 25 artistes are expected to perform at the praize jam and almost all of them are home based including Chioma Jesus, Aphy Douglas and a host of others. He also noted that this year’s CARNIRIV will give opportunity to up and coming artistes most of whom have not been on stage before to perform on the big stage. The international artiste will perform using the same equipment.
The Director General maintained that this was just a way of empowering them and expose them to the International Community.
He debunked reports that last year, CARNIRIV was dominated by Lagos-based artistes and International Stars while the local artistes were not carried along and those that participated received peanuts.
According to him, the aim of the CARNIRIV is to create a carnival that is recognized worldwide, adding that we need to bring internationally acclaimed artistes to perform and not to put the foreign artistes above our own indigenous artistes.
He recalled that “last year, Shaggy and Duncan mighty did a song together and it was a good experience for our people and that is what we aim at.”
According to him “This year, the expectations are very high and we expect this year’s carnival to be better that last year because we have tried to correct all the mistakes of last year, if there were any.
“We are very committed to ensuring that our people own the carnival and to make it their own, so everybody should come and let us celebrate what we have together”, he said.
The RSTDA boss disclosed that for the first time in the history of CARNIRIV, the agency was introducing a 70-horse Durbar which is popular in the Northern part of Nigeria which they have brought to stay in the state.
He explained the 70 horses will be at the parade during the international heritage parade and promises to be a colourful event, he concluded.
Dr. Sam Dede further stated that this year’s edition of Carniriv will provide a thrilling and entertaining display between December 15, to 21 in Port Harcourt City.
Speaking on the line up of activities slated for the carnival, he said “We have the international culture parade which is essentially culture driven, series of cultural displays at the carnival village that takes place daily showcasing the 23 local governments.
“We also have traditional wrestling which is a spectacular event we introduced last year that has caught on into the major event of the carnival as well as the international aquatic festival which is the boat regatta. “It is a spectacular event that you don’t want to miss. So we are telling the world that what we took to Notting hill, what we took to Trinidad and Tobago, what we took to Rio carnival is just a little of what they expect to see at the carnival. I think that the Rivers people should be proud of what we have to showcase.
Further, he said: “We will also have participation from some neighbouring states like Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa- Ibom and Abia in the cultural event. We also have the Trinidad and Tobago troupe coming. What we want Rivers people to understand is that carnival is a unifying factor. When we do carnivals, nobody talks about political divides, religious divides, everybody comes together, they wave their flags and along the street of the carnival roads, nobody stands aside and says I am on this side or that I am on that side.
“I think we need to take advantage of the spirit of goodwill that carnival brings to us for the period and we just enjoy carnival for the fact that it brings all of us together as one and if you listen to the theme song of the carnival. There is a line there that says “after all we have been through, look at where we are, we still stand strong as a people”, he said.
Dede said Rivers people have come a long way, adding “look at where we are, we are still celebrating our essence as a people. I think that we should take advantages of the unifying factor of the carnival and just get on with it.”
Jacob Obinna
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