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 Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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