Nation

Published

8 years ago

July 14, 2017

Abuja
The Bill for an Act to amend Police Act, 2014, to provide for enlistment requirement and welfare, align punishments with realities, 2017 scaled second reading at the Senate last Tuesday.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC-Lagos) scaled first reading on June 15.
Leading debate on the bill, Tinubu said the Nigeria Police Force was the agency of government tasked with the maintenance of peace, law and order within the country’s border.
She said that the Nigeria Police Act empowered the agency to preserve law and order among others, adding that the importance of its role could not be over-emphasised.
She, therefore, argued that there was the need to strengthen such important institution.

Borno
The Police Command in Borno State last Wednesday confirmed that 19 people were killed in the latest deadly Boko Haram attacks in Maiduguri in Nigeria’s troubled North East.
The attacks, which occurred last Tuesday, claimed the lives of 12 Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and seven civilians, according to the Borno State Commissioner of Police Borno, Mr Damian Chukwu.
Our source reports that no fewer than 860 CJTF members have lost their lives to the insurgency in Borno since 2014.
Chukwu told reporters in Maiduguri on Wednesday that at least 23 people sustained injuries in the latest attacks.
The commissioner, who had since visited the scenes of the attacks, said that four female suicide bombers attacked Moloi, Judumeri and Polo-Sabongari areas of Maiduguri.

Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command says it has arrested six persons for allegedly selling unregistered SIM cards in the state.
The command’s spokesman, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, made this known to journalists in Dutse last Wednesday.
Abdullahi said five out of the suspects were arrested on Hakimi Street and at New Market, Dutse, while an other was held at Hadejia Town.
He said the corps confiscated over 5,000 assorted SIM cards during the raid.
The NSCDC spokesman assured the public that the corps would continue to stop the illegal sale and use of such SIM cards, stressing that illegal sale of SIM cards posed serious threat to national security.
He appealed to Nigerians to stop using unregistered SIM cards.

Kaduna
The General Manager, Freedom Radio, Kaduna, Malam Adamu Ladan, has urged journalists to always equip themselves with more knowledge for effective discharge of their roles to the society.
Ladan gave the advice in a paper he presented at a 2- day workshop organised by Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He said journalists must remain disciplined, non-partisan and professional while discharging their duties.
The general manager, particularly said journalists must have the professional competence to hold elected leaders to account.
Earlier, Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Mr Nuhu Shadalafiya said journalists must avoid misrepresentation of facts.

Katsina
A political group, Aminu Masari Restoration Awareness Forum, says measures taken by the Katsina State Government have restored sanity and accountability in the state public service.
Daura Zone Coordinator of the forum, Malam Sani Salele, said problems of truancy and laxity recorded in the past have been addressed.
According to him, `Gov Aminu Masari-led administration has restored dignity, probity, confidence and accountability in the service through various incentives introduced in the past two years.
“Now there is the feeling of job security among the civil servants and freedom of expression as the government is amenable to promoting democratic ideals,” Salele said in an interview with newsmen in Daura last Wednesday.

Kogi
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appealed to members of the state University Academic Staff Union to call off their strike and resume work.
Bello, who visited the university at Ayagba last Tuesday, pledged to pay all the salary arrears of lecturers and non-academic staff of the institution this month.
He said that the payment would cover those on contract and study leave, as well as those employed in 2015.
The governor, however, said those who took the government to court would not benefit from the payment.

Lagos
A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr Israel Ajao, last Tuesday appealed to members of the public to stop killing suspected members of the badoo cult group terrorising Ikorodu, Lagos.
Chairman, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Ajao made the appeal during a security town hall meeting organised by the corps for communities in and around Ikorodu.
He described the killing of suspected badoo members by a mob as uncivilised.
According to reports, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transporters, traders, the youth, military, paramilitary and private security organisation’s attended the meeting.

Nasarawa
The management of Breeze 99.9 FM, Lafia, has dragged the Nasarawa State Government to court over the demolition of the private radio station.
In the suit filed at High Court 4, Lafia, the station is demanding N1.5 billion as compensation for damage it suffered following the demolition of the structures housing the outfit, and the communication equipment inside them.
According to Counsel to Breeze FM, Mr Ocha Ulegede, the station is also praying the court to declare the action of the state government “illegal, unconstitutional, high-handed and vindictive”.
“We are asking for public apology and monetary damages totalLing more than of N1.5 billion.

Niger
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger S last Tuesday met with former Niger governors, ministers and political leaders over the security situation in the state.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at the state house in Minna, also discussed other crucial issues affecting the state.
Retired Col. Yohanna Madaki, former military governor of Kastina State, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, listed issues discussed to include security challenges, Internally Generated Revenue and infrastructure.
“The meeting also agreed to set up a six-man committee to play an advisory role toward moving the state forward.

Ogun
A 35-year-old man, Fatai Adeboye, who allegedly stole a blackberry phone valued at N60,000 at a bus stop, was last Wednesday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State. Adeboye, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of stealing.
Police Prosecutor, Chudu Gbesi told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 5 at 2.00 p.m. at Ijoko near Ota.
Gbesi said the accused robbed the complainant, Hannah Akinwande, of a Blackberry phone valued at N60, 000 at a bus stop in Ijoko.
“But the accused was caught and handed over to the police,’’ he said.
The offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun.

Ondo
Two men, Samuel Akande (39) and Adewale Oluwatayo (24), were last Wednesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly stabbing one Akorede Akintade with a knife.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused, on May 30, around 12:30 p.m. at Bako Club in Okitipupa, had a mild misunderstanding with Akintade, when the incident happened.
He said that the accused, who drank to stupor, unlawfully assaulted Akintade by beating him, before using the knife, with which he caused serious harm and severe injuries to him.
Orogbemi added that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 516 and 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The accused, of no fixed addresses and occupation, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge levelled against them.

Plateau
An NGO, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), has decried the rising spate of drug abuse and addiction among youths in the country.
The Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Jacob Pwakim, said this in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Jos.
According to him, consumption of illicit substances by youths poses a serious challenge to the growth and development of the Nigerian society.
He explained that over 60 per cent of Nigerian youths consumed various forms of illicit drugs, a development he said had made them irresponsible to themselves and the society.
‘’We will look for credible hands that will give us purposeful leadership in the nearest future and we won’t find any.”

Nation

Accolades, Fanfare As Ogbakor Ikwerre President General Celebrates 80th Birthday

Published

2 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.

The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.

Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.

The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.

The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.

However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.

The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.

Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.

Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.

The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.

Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.

In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.

Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.

He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.

His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.

He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.

Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.

Nation

Ensure That Ogoni Is Heard In The Right Way, HYPREP Urges Creative Arts Trainees

Published

3 weeks ago

August 22, 2025

The Tide

As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.

Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.

”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.

While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.

He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.

The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.

Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.

With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.

Nation

NYCOP Urges Stakeholders To Develop, Empower Ogoni Youths

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.

NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.

In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.

It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.

The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.

NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.

In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.

“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:

” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.

“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.

NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.

NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.

According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.

“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.

” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.

NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.

Kiadum Edookor