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Feuding Communities Seek Military Presence In Gokana

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9 years ago

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As the brewing communal crisis among some communities in Gokana Local Government Area in Rivers State rages on, stakeholders in the area have called for military intervention to avert further hostilities.
The decision for military presence in Gokana was unanimously reached on Wednesday, during a meeting held between leaders of warring Lewe and Bonu Communities, and other stakeholders in Gokana, with the S.A. to the Governor on conflict Resolution, Chief Okori Abelekum at the Conference Hall of Deputy Governor’s office, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman, Gokana Council of Traditional Rulers, High Chief Barisi Kpaama, said the people of Gokana were desirous of enduring peace, as they have lost greatly to the crisis.
Chief Kpaama who is also the Paramount Ruler of Biara Community, said the crisis in Gokana, was perpetrated by out-laws who exploit the conflict situation to satisfy their selfish aims.
He called on Government to take proactive action by bringing in the military to stop the hostilities which had resulted in wanton destructions of lives and property.
He added that perpetrators of the hostilities should be arrested and prosecuted.
In his submission, the Chairman of Boonalo Gokana Peace Committee, a soico-cultural organisation in the area Chief Mene Dilosi, thanked the Rivers State Governor,  Barr Ezenwo Wike for his concern for peace in Gokana, and stressed the need for military intervention as a panacea for the acts of criminalities and lawlessness which had robbed Gokana residents of enduring peace.
Adumene Deekor, said the people of Beera have suffered terribly, as a result of the Gokana crisis and called on the government to come to the rescue of the people.
The Paramount Ruler also gave  a shocking revelation when he disclosed that the meeting that a particular community, Deeyor, sold the government transformer in the community to prosecute war.
He described such act as a disincentive to development as Gokana was in dire need of development.
Addressing the Gokana leaders, the S.A. to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Okori Abelekum warned the conflicting communities to how the line peace or face the full wrath of the law, adding that he had met with the peace and security committee in the state, comprising of all service chiefs of the various security agencies.
He noted that the committee will embark on a visit to Gokana to ascertain things on the ground before the next line of action.  The meeting was attended by leaders from, Bomu, Lewe, Nweol, Biara, and Mogho Communities.

 

Taneh Beemene

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Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.
Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.
The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.
National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.
Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.
He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.
Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.
On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.
Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.
She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.
Seminitari was later presented an award.
New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.
There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation 

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said  the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.
They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.
According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.
The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.
They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.
Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.
They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.
Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.
The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.
The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.
By; King Onunwor
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Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.
The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.
According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.
The  President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.
He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.
According to Osigwe, the nation was  witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.
The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.
Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.
“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.
The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.
Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.
The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.
Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.
By;  King Onunwor
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