Rivers

Books Donation To Schools Excites Obio/Akpor Communities

Published

9 years ago

July 6, 2016

Parents and guardians of stu
dents of secondary schools in some communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have continued to express excitement and gladness about one week after the donation of more than 20,000 customised exercise books for the use of their children and wards by Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) (CCNCC) for Wike 2015 General Elections in the state.
Among those eulogising the gesture are parents and guardians of the 20 best students in each of the junior school cadre in JS1-3, including Clinton Success Ezeugo, Godwin Sunday, Innocent Gold, Emezue Victoria’s, as well as the paramount ruler of Rumuepirikom community, Eze Barry Amaewhule Opara Owabie.
It would be recalled that the CCNCC, last Wednesday, handed over the first batch of 20,000 customised notebooks as part of the celebration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s one year in office, to Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom.
Speaking to The Tide in an interview, Owabie said, the gesture was the first of its kind in the community in many decades, and praised the commitment of the group in assisting the government’s efforts to advance academic excellence in the state.
The paramount ruler, who spoke through the community’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Chizzy Egwurugwu, said the people of the area were very happy that the NGOs were encouraging the young ones to take their studies seriously through the book donation, and urged other organisations, philanthropic bodies and individuals as well as corporate citizens to emulate the kind gesture of the CCNCC in efforts to make the state more educationally advanced and stable in the country.
Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs Nsirim Gladys, had said since the school started in 2007, this was the first time it was being supported by private groups to advance the education of the children through strategic book donation.
She commended CCNCC for presenting the free 80-leaf notebooks to students of the school, adding that both the students and the more than 108 teachers in the school would benefit from the donation.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal, Mr Barnabas Ogbonka, who rolled out the names of the best performing students of the school, promised not only to put the books into good use, but to also ensure that the donation spurs the students to do better in their academic pursuits and not disappoint their parents, the government and the donors of the books.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide, Vice President, CCNCC, Dr Obot Gideon Daniel, said the donation was a dream come true, and challenged other groups to identify with the Wike administration’s dogged efforts to take education in the state to the next level.
Also, the Public Relations Officer, CCNCC, Comrade Rowland Rafael, revealed that the donation, which kick-started at the school in Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor, would soon be extended to other schools in the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

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

Published

10 hours 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

11 hours 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

11 hours 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