Rivers

Amaechi, Peterside Visit Victims Of Gun Attack

Published

11 years ago

January 9, 2015

Following Tuesday’s at
tack on APC supporters by suspected Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) hoodlums while the victims were on their way to attend the Buhari Presidential Campaign flag-off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor and Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call members of his party, not to unleash violence on APC supporters in Rivers State and across the country.
Amaechi who spoke after leading APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and others on a sympathy visit to the victims of the attack at the Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said the President, apart from calling his men to order should also condemn the attack on the APC members by PDP hoodlums.
He said: “Imagine that the President goes to campaign in Katsina or in Kano and his convoy is attacked, imagine that, we will condemn it. In the same manner, we expect the President and the Peoples’ Democratic Party should condemn this violence that has been visited on us by their members and we expect that they should be able to control their members”.
“The President can’t be promising us free, fair and violence-free elections, if he says violence-free election, and here we have already experienced violence, what is he expecting us to do?” he asked.
Amaechi also called on President Jonathan as Commander-In-Chief to provide needed security for all Nigerians irrespective of which party they belong.
According to him, the PDP by these attacks on APC supporters has shown that it is not ready to ensure peaceful or violence-free polls, stating that the fact that people were being attacked was an indication that the PDP is not ready for a free, fair and violence-free elections.”
PDP supporters.
He said the only way for Nigerians to trust President Goodluck Jonathan over his avowed desire for peaceful elections in the country is for the President to publicly condemn these attacks and ensure they don’t re-occur.
Peterside said: “This is an unfortunate trend. I don’t want to believe that violence will characterize the 2015 elections because that is not what any one of us desire. The President has said severally, whether he means it or not is a different matter, that his ambition is not worth the blood of anybody and we agree with him to that extent but again, it is one thing to share your philosophy, it is another thing to see your people go clearly against what you believe in and you are doing nothing about it. I am optimistic that the President and his team and members of his party, the PDP will come out strongly and condemn this act of violence visited on members of the APC in Rivers State”.
He said his party, the APC believes in peaceful polls and using peaceful means to realize political gains.

Chairman Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Ngo Martyns-Yellowe (right) and Rivers State Head of Service, Barr. Longjohn Samuel during 2015 New Year prayer/dedication service at State Secretariat complex, Port Harcourt, yesterday

Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor