News
Amaechi Woos 1.5m Non-Indigenes To APC
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has created what the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Chuma Chinye, described as the 24th Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The new ‘local government’ is the Non-Indigene Political Pressure Group (NIPPG) in APC, Rivers State which, according to Barr. Chinye, is to protect the political interests of the over 1.5 million non-indigenes residing in Rivers State.
A statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by Senior Media Aide to the State APC Interim Chairman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “Barr. Chinye, the political leader of NIPPG, who hails from Delta State, affirmed the need to set up this structure – the first of its kind in any part of Nigeria – saying that it is in keeping with the antecedents of Governor Amaechi”, to give equal space to all residents of the state to participate in the political process.
Eze quoted Chinye as describing Amaechi “as a great leader whose patriotism is legendary and qualifies him as a true nationalist. In short, he is the hero and hope of the non-indigenes in Rivers State, if the ways he has carried the non-indigenes along in his administration are anything to go by.”
The statement said the commissioner “noted that Governor Amaechi has a history of giving non-indigenes a sense of belonging, as reflected in the composition of the State Executive Council.”
He pointed out that, “apart from himself, several other non-indigenes such as Mr. Ade Adeogun from Ekiti State, who mans the powerful Rivers State Sanitation Authority, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. David Iyofor, who hails from Delta State, are holding key positions in the Amaechi administration.”
He disclosed that “at a keenly contested election held in the State Secretariat of APC at Forces Avenue, old GRA, and Port Harcourt over the weekend, Chief Uchenna Okokoba defeated the duo of Alhaji Yusuf Tanko and Chief Williams Ubeka to emerge the interim coordinator of the Non-Indigene Group in APC Rivers.”
According to him, “in his acceptance speech, Chief Okokoba a grassroots mobiliser, declared that ‘the Non-Indigene Political Pressure Group is capable and ready to ensure that all non-indigenes in Rivers State not only join APC but also ensure that all the party’s candidates in Rivers State come the 2015 general polls win by a landslide as we account for about 40 per cent of the entire electorate in the state.”
He added: “I did it for Governor Amaechi in 2011 when we mobilised the Igbos to ensure that they voted for Governor Amaechi.”
Inaugurating the group on behalf of the Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the Interim Secretary of APC Rivers, Chief Emeka Bekee, said: “This is yet another strong signal of the doom awaiting PDP and other opposition parties during the 2015 elections.
“I assure you of the support of the governor and leadership of APC, so go out and mobilse your people to ensure that APC becomes the party to beat come 2015, seeing that Governor Amaechi recognizes and has made your people an integral part of his administration.”
Meanwhile, APC in Rivers State has concluded the harmonisation of the different groups that came together to form the party, namely the legacy party comprising the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and New Peoples Democratic Party (NPDP) in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The Interim State Chairman, APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, charged the harmonised steering committee of each of the local government areas to “go and spread the gospel of APC to all the nooks and crannies of the state, establish the wards steering committees and mobilise Rivers people to formally register with APC come February 5th, 2014 so that we can together ensure that our common opponent (PDP) is politically dealt with in the general elections come 2015.”
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