Rivers
Obiozimini Community Gets New CDC
A 13-man executive com
mittee has been constituted to pilot the affairs of Obiozimini community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area for the next two years.
The executive committee has Mbadike Ewe as chairman, Sunday Josiah, Vice-chairman, Alex Umesi, general secretary, Isaac Amadike, public relations officer, and Holly Ezekiel, assistant general secretary.
Others are Goddy Ukpaka, treasurer, Nnah Ajie, provost one, Ukpaka Ojenike, provost two, Ahunike Umesi, provost three, Christian O. Dibia, financial secretary, Ojum Debo, social organizer, Ajie Nwaede, auditor two, and Gospel Ikereke, auditor one.
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee, the oldest man in the community, Elder Paul Dibia described the occasion as unique, urging the people to live in peace and unity.
Elder Dibia said, “the future belongs to the youths, therefore, as people in their prime age, they have no alternative to peace, development of the community and should avoid those things that could bring acrimony among all members of the community.”
In his speech, the Ochi-Oha (paramount ruler), His Highness, Eze (Dr) Emmanuel Ewe, said, by their selection as representatives of their different families, they should be straight-forward and avoid trivial issues in the discharge of their duties.
For you to be successful, you should avoid divided attentions, close ranks, embrace even those who were against your selection since you are all members of the same community desirous of achieving success”, he said.
He prayed that God to give them the wisdom and energy to pilot the affairs of the community to the best of their ability.
In his vote of thanks, the new chairman, Mr Mbadike Ewe, thanked the people for the confidence reposed in them and promised that the committee would live up to expectations.
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Traders at Ibaka Town Market have commended the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, for his administration’s empowerment initiatives targeted at women, and ongoing market reforms.
The women made the commendation recently when members of the Ibaka Town Market Women Association paid a courtesy visit to the Council’s boss to express their appreciation for what they described as impactful and people-oriented leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Women Leader, Mrs. Comfort Achese, praised the Chairman for the financial grants disbursed during the first phase of his empowerment programme.
According to her, the intervention has significantly boosted business activities and improved the livelihoods of small-scale traders within the market.
She described the initiative as timely and transformative, noting that many women have been able to expand their trading capacity and better support their families as a result of the financial support.
The delegation also applauded the Council’s Chairman for taking proactive steps to address longstanding challenges within Ibaka Market.
They noted noticeable improvements in the trading environment, which they said have contributed to a more organized, safer, and conducive space for commerce.
Responding, Hon. Tobin expressed gratitude to the market women for the visit and their continued support. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, emphasizing that empowering women and small businesses remains central to his governance agenda.
The Chairman further assured the traders that additional phases of the empowerment programme are in the pipeline, alongside further infrastructural upgrades aimed at strengthening economic activities across markets in the Local Government Area.
He encouraged the women to remain steadfast in their businesses, assuring them that his administration would continue to implement policies and programmes that promote inclusive growth and improve living standards in Okrika.
The visit underscores the growing collaboration between the Council’s leadership and grassroots stakeholders, particularly women, in driving sustainable economic development within the community.
By: By Michael T. Abraham
The Executive Chairman of Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area (LGA), Barr. Vincent Nemieboka, has presented a ?20,509,859,898.65 appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Legislative Assembly.
He said this is a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The budget proposal, unveiled during the maiden plenary session held in the newly renovated Legislative Chamber, he said, marks a significant milestone for the Council.
The upgraded chamber, equipped with modern facilities, hosted lawmakers and top government officials in what was described as a historic sitting.
Welcoming the Chairman, the Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Cllr. Tekena Akor, described the occasion as a turning point for governance in the area and expressed confidence that the proposed budget would accelerate development across Ogu-Bolo.
In his address, Nemieboka expressed gratitude to God for the successful inauguration of the new legislative session and commended the Assembly for its continued cooperation with the Executive arm.
He also pledged to construct a brand-new Legislative Chamber to further strengthen legislative operations.
The Chairman extended condolences to the Assembly over the passing of the father of the House Leader, offering prayers for strength and comfort to the bereaved family.
Reflecting on the achievements of his administration, Nemieboka highlighted several ongoing and completed projects across the council.
He disclosed that electrification projects in Ikpokiri and Opu-Ama communities are at advanced stages, with transmission towers already installed and efforts underway to connect them to the national grid.
He noted that the island community of Iwo Kiri has been equipped with solar-powered street lighting, while the ELE Health Centre is nearing completion.
In the education sector, ELE Primary School is undergoing major renovation, including reroofing and structural upgrades, while construction is ongoing at Bolo Primary School.
Additionally, a modern Assembly Hall is being built for Community Secondary School, Bolo.
Other projects include the commencement of Teachers’ Quarters in Owuogono Community, completion of electrical infrastructure in Chuku-Ama, pending transformer installation, and near completion of a Town Hall and footpath road in Nemieboka-Ama.
In Wakama, internal road construction has been completed, alongside rehabilitation of a previously damaged school building.
On empowerment initiatives, the Chairman disclosed that monthly grants for youths are ongoing, while 500 women are set to benefit from ?150,000 each as business support grants aimed at boosting small-scale enterprises and improving household incomes.
He also highlighted a partnership with the Lulu Briggs Foundation, through which law students received ?1 million each in educational support.
Looking ahead, the 2026 budget outlines ambitious plans, including the construction of recreational and developmental centres such as gyms and basketball courts, implementation of a subsidized transport scheme, and expansion of skill acquisition programmes.
The Chairman further said plans are also underway for the building and furnishing of a befitting palace for the Ogu Kingdom, procurement of a bus for legislators, and further investments in sports development.
In a notable declaration, Barr. Nemieboka stated that the council is free from bank debt, attributing this to prudent financial management, transparency, and responsible leadership.
He expressed optimism that the 2026 budget would consolidate existing gains and deliver improved infrastructure, economic opportunities, and enhanced welfare for the people of Ogu-Bolo.
Observers say the scale and scope of the proposed budget reflect a deliberate effort by the council to sustain development momentum and address critical needs across communities within the Local Government Area.
By: Michael T. Abraham
As the digital revolution reshapes global opportunities, the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State Branch, Mrs. Tamunoibuemi Life-George, has called on girls in Bane Community to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a vital tool for empowerment and inclusion.
This was part of her message, recently, during the celebration of this year’s International Girls in ICT Day at Marian High School, Bane, in Khana Local Government Area.
The FIDA Chairperson stressed the urgency of equipping girls with relevant digital skills to enable them compete in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Represented by the association’s Secretary, Mrs. Okorite Yobo, Life-George said the initiative reflects FIDA’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of female innovators, problem-solvers and leaders in the digital economy.
She noted that AI, when properly harnessed, offers vast opportunities for learning, creativity and economic advancement, adding that girls must be encouraged to take their rightful place in the technology space.
The Chairperson continued that digital knowledge should not be perceived as the exclusive domain of boys, insisting that bridging the gender gap in technology requires deliberate and sustained advocacy at all levels.
The FIDA Chairpseron explained that her association’s outreach to Bane Community was intentional, and aimed at extending digital awareness to rural areas where access to such opportunities was limited.
Life-George further reiterated that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) represents the future of work and innovation, warning that excluding girls from this space would widen existing inequalities.
She expressed concern over the continued underrepresentation of women in technology-related careers, calling for early exposure and mentorship to spark interest among young girls.
She also commended Cinfores Limited for its collaboration and support, particularly for donating a laptop to a student as a means of encouraging digital learning and excellence.
Earlier, a Performance Test Officer with Cinfores Limited, Miss Winnie Nnadi, had urged the students to remain focused and committed to their studies, noting that determination and proper guidance are key to success in ICT-related careers.
In her remarks, the Vice Principal of the School, Mrs. Maria Patta, appreciated the organisers for bringing the initiative to the school, describing it as timely and impactful for the students’ future aspirations.
Patta, however, highlighted some of the challenges facing the school, including inadequate funding, lack of a school bus and poor infrastructure, and appealed to stakeholders for support, as students who participated in the debate emerged winners and were rewarded with prizes, reinforcing the event’s theme, “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.”
By: King Onunwor
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