A prominent royal father in Rivers State and Paramount Ruler of Obeakpu- Ndoki Kingdom, in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Eze Fidelis Okwudiri Ajaelu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the 36 State Governors and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to urgently convene a ‘national dialogue for herders, farmers reconciliation’, describing peace between the two communities as the “gateway to Nigeria’s sustainable unity and rural prosperity”.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on the need to broker peace and reconciliation between the herders and farmers in Nigeria, Eze Ajaelu emphasised that, “the nation cannot thrive where our farmers live in fear and our herders move in bitterness”.
He called for a government- led, but community- driven reconciliation process anchored on truth, justice, and forgiveness.
According to him, recurring herders- farmers clashes have crippled agricultural productivity, displaced thousands, and worsened food inflation, with ripple effects on national stability.
“Reconciliation is not weakness”, Eze Ajaelu said. “ It is wisdom, because no amount of military might can replace the power of mutual trust”.
He further traced the crisis to a mix of environmental, demographic, and economic pressures, noting that, “Climate change has dried up grazing lands in the North, forcing nomads Southwards, where land competition triggers hostility.
Eze Ajaelu, a supposed member of the Oyigbo Council of Traditional Rulers’, however, maintained that poor governance, ethnic profiling, and lack of effective policy implementation have worsened tensions.
On the way forward, the ‘Onye- Nwe- Ali VII of Obeakpu- Ndoki Kingdom, admonished the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria to establish local peace committees in hot spot areas, integrate ranching and irrigation farming to ease resource pressure. Empower traditional rulers as mediators and custodians of rural justice, as well as, demanding for federal coordination through a ‘National Peace and Reconciliation Commission’.
He stressed that successive governments have relied too heavily on force to suppress rural conflicts, but no matter how many security deployments that are made, peace cannot be commanded, it must be cultivated.
“If the Tinubu-led administration truly wants a legacy of unity, it must lead Nigeria toward a national healing process that prioritizses reconciliation, and reparations. This would mean truth-telling sessions, fair compensation, and locally designed peace accords. “Let us remember: “When farmers and herders reconcile, the soil will smile again”.
Eze Ajaelu urged President Bola Tinubu, the 36 State Governors, including the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA), to immediately direct the creation of a ‘National Reconciliation and Co-existence Framework in partnership with the National Council of Traditional Rulers’, state peace agencies, and civil society groups, and the media’.
He added that, “ Governors, particularly, in the North Central and South must also commit to inclusive peace summits to heal wounds, restore trust, and ensure justice, saying, “The time to act is now. Nigeria’s rural peace remains the foundation of its food security, which is the foundation of true sovereignty”.
Eze Ajaelu urged the federal and state governments, to work closely with traditional institutions, noting that, “ no one understands rural grievances better than those who live among the people”.
He reaffirmed his domain’s commitment to continue promoting peace, dialogue,and inter- communal trust in his Kingdom and beyond.

By: Bethel Toby

The Federal Government has approved three transformative policies aimed at boosting productivity and enhancing service delivery across the civil service. These are the Rewards and Recognition Policy, the Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and the Civil Service Mentoring Policy.

The approval was granted during the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The move marks a new era of performance-driven governance, strategic talent development, and enhanced accountability, with the policies designed to work in synergy to motivate staff, foster a culture of excellence, and significantly improve service delivery to Nigerians.

According to a statement signed by MrsEnoOlotu, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, MrsDidi Esther Walson-Jack, affirmed that the policies are central to staff welfare and the enhanced value proposition of civil servants and also align with the 2021 Public Service Rules (060101–060111).

She commended the President for his commitment to transforming the civil service and fostering a workplace culture that is efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-friendly. The Head of Service noted that the approval demonstrates the government’s firm resolve to value public servants, reward excellence, and systematically groom the next generation of leaders.

The Rewards and Recognition Policy establishes a comprehensive framework designed to attract, nurture, develop, and retain top talent within the service. It seeks to promote excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, thereby strengthening overall institutional performance.

The Incentive and Consequence Management Policy introduces a clear, transparent, and equitable system where exceptional performance is rewarded and under-performance is addressed through structured corrective measures. It aims to entrench fairness and accountability at all levels while providing developmental support to staff requiring improvement.

The Civil Service Mentoring Policy, described as a strategic investment in the future of the service, is intended to bridge experience gaps and ensure the systematic transfer of institutional knowledge.

“It will equip the next generation with the requisite skills, values, and ethical grounding for strategic leadership, while preserving invaluable institutional memory against the tide of retirements, thereby ensuring continuity and sustained excellence,” the statement added.

MrsWalson-Jack reiterated that the President’s approval for the implementation of these policies is not merely an administrative milestone, but the foundation upon which a modern, agile, and empowered civil service will be built. She assured civil servants that their dedication will be recognised, excellence rewarded, and personal growth supported.

The Rivers State Government has charged journalists to serve as a bridge between the government and the people by reporting effectively on government’s policies, projects, programmes and achievements, thereby keeping the public informed on its activities.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. BeniboAnabraba, gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, led by the Chairman, Mr. Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba emphasized that as the fourth estate of the realm, journalists owe the public a duty to provide a platform for constructive criticism of government and serve as watchdog of society.

He indicated that public opinion via the mass media is significant to help the government appreciate public perception, and also to create awareness on government initiatives, programmes and policies as they affect the citizenry.

“As a Government, we also appreciate the fact that you are our partner in conveying government policies and activities to the people, for their consumption, appreciation and review. We implore you to continue to publicise matters of importance in governance and encourage civic participation particularly on issues such as civil rights, voters’ registration, actions against gender-based violence, etc.

“You also have an obligation to promote morality and balanced criticism of government,” he stated

The chairman of the Rivers Council of NUJ, Mr. Paul Bazia-Nsaneh thanked the State Government for receiving them and intimated him of their desire to work with the government.

He explained that the union is poised to positively portray the State through an agenda of development communications, adding that the union has also outlined strategic projects to this effect.

“As a union, we need to change the narrative and to talk about development communications. If we don’t put out the opportunities that are available in River State, then we can not have people who will be interested in investing in the opportunities that are available to us. So we decided to put out some key areas that we need to focus on development communication trajectory,” he added.