Rivers

Ahoada Communities Endorse Wike For Second Term

Published

7 years ago

March 5, 2018

Ten communities that make up the Igbu-Echi in Ula-Upata Kingdom, Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State have asked the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike to seek for re-election in the 2019 general elections.
The Ula-Upata people also said that they had endorsed Governor Wike as their sole candidate in the 2019 election.
The people of Ula-Upata Kingdom made this endorsement during a facility tour to the construction site of the ongoing modern community school project embarked upon by Governor Wike’s administration in the area over the weekend. The facility tour which witnessed over 500 people include chiefs, community leaders, youths and women.
Speaking on behalf of the Ula-Upata Kingdom, His Royal Highness Saturday Ogiri, Eze Igbu Echi Ula-Upata Kingdom, described the on-going school project as monumental and the first of its kind in the history of the kingdom and assured the governor of their total support to his administration.
The people through their various spokespersons promised to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by voting for him enmass during the 2019 general elections should he decide to recontest for governorship position in the state.
They pointed out that the on-going project had not only raised the bar of modern development in the area but had also, provided employment for the people especially the unemployed youths in the area irrespective of their political affiliations.
“We are here to inspect the on-going school project in our area. We want to thank the state governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike for appointing our son into the state executive council. We urge him to declare his intention for re-election as the governor in 2019. We have seen positive change. We’ll give him our block vote, beca use if we vote for him, we will get more dividends of democracy. We have endorsed him as our candidate”.
Earlier in his address, the political leader of the kingdom Kaniye Ebeku thanked the people of the area for their confidence and support to the Wike-led administration in the state.
Professor Ebeku who is also the state commissioner for water Resources and Rural Development said that the people resolved to support and endorsed the governor for re-election to reciprocate his uncommon love for them through the various developmental projects executed in the area.
The state commissioner used the opportunity to call on the people especially those who do not have INEC voter’s card to get to ensure that they registered with INEC to enable them vote for the governor and other political leaders of their choice come 2019 general elections.

Rivers

FIDA, PCRC Train Police On Paralegal Cases

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has held a one-day capacity building workshop on paralegal exposure aimed at equipping police officers across Rivers State on ways of handling gender-based violence cases in the society.

The one-day capacity training, organised by the two humanitarian organisations in the state, is designed to boost the knowledge and capacity of the police echelons in the state in handling gender-based violence cases.

Speaking at the event, held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, emphasized the importance of capacity building for Police Officers, stressing the need for continuous training and development for the officers to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in law enforcement.

Adepoju noted the police have been having lectures like this from time to time as directed by the Inspector General of Poliice, and urge the police officers to turn out in their numbers in order to gain from the training.

“There is nothing as good as building our capacity to ensure we deliver service to mankind and let Rivers be a difference to others.

“We have people who have the capacity that can deliver and they are here with us, and we will not hesitate to ensure we employ and use them. Whatever we have learnt here, jot it down and ensure you use it judiciously”, the VP urged.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of FIDA Rivers State, Life Jim-George, stressed that the paralegal training offers the opportunity for retired Police officers, desk officers, and different divisions in charge of gender-based crime to assemble to educate and be educated on how to handle gender violence, the abused public, and how to deal with reporters of all kinds of Gender-Based Violence.

She said, “They need to be empathetic, they need not to judge them as they move into them. They need not to throw them away immediately, or to make the atmosphere very toxic, a situation whoch will make them go away, or be exposed to extortion, which will make them feel that Police is your friend is only in the book.

“We remind you all that you are not just Police officers, here is a duty imposed on you to look at the laws. Not just to drive people away because we have reports where once you approach a Police station and say my husband or wife beat me up, they drive you away, saying this one is husband and wife matter, go and settle with your husband or wife.They began to judge you.

“We are saying no, that is not what the law is. Please show empathy. If you throw them away like that, most of them can take their life. Some go into third degree depression and it becomes difficult to bring them out. They will now began to blame themselves for going to the Police station.”

In his speech, the Chairman of PCRC in the State, Mr. Voke Emore, explained that one primary responsibility of the PCRC is to bring the community closer to the Police, while FIDA, as an international organization, cares for the less privilege and handle cases involving women and children.

“The police only protect women and children in talking of gender abuse in the society, rather than taking the issue of gender violence as wholistic that includes men, women and children in every strata of the society.

“So, that is why the two humanitarian organisations, FIDA and PCRC, decided to partner to ensure that the things are done rightly in line with global practices.

“And the only way to do that is to provide training. We always talk about training and re-training of Police officers”, the PCRC boss stated.

The training focused on key areas such as “The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Rivers State”, “Dehumanizing and Harmful Traditional Practices Laws”, “Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Rights to Share in Family Property Law”, and “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.”

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Obalga SOLAD Presents Fire Extinguishers To Council …. Commiserates With traders over Rumuomasi Market Fire

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter, has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the Council.

Dr. Walter, who spoke to newsmen at the Council’s premises at Rumuodumanya, said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforseen fire incidences.

He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.

he also commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.

Walter, who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by fire, described it as unfortunate.

Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, he acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

He noted that preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.

“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,

“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.

“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses”, he said.

He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.

“There are many ways fire can be ignited, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritize safety”, he cautioned.

Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.

“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place”, he stated.

The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied the LGA boss during the inspection, identified “K-Lane” as the most severely affected area.

A statement by the information officer to the Council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma, said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.

In another development, Sir Walter has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with the view to identifying and removing all blockages, including illegal structures hindering the free flow of water in the area.

A statement from Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorized barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.

According to the statement, Dr. Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endangered communities and undermine Government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.

It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and effectively functional.

He also warned against further dumping of wastes in waterways, citing impending flooding.

Rivers

Rivers Pledges Support For Enhanced Maritime Security

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhance maritime security, protection of national assets, and economic growth.

Ibas made the remark during a visit by the participants of the Nigerian Naval Warfare College Course 9, who were on a study tour in Port Harcourt, on Monday.

He lauded the initiative of the study tour, themed, “Optimizing Technology for Effective Maritime Security Operations.’’

Ibas emphasised the importance of leveraging modern technology to safeguard national assets, coastal communities, and ensure sustainable economic development.

He commended the Nigerian Naval War College for prioritising technological innovation in maritime security.

Ibas mentioned some of the key maritime security challenges as sea piracy, smuggling, and environmental hazards, saying that the increase requires advanced solutions.

The Sole Administrator reiterated the state readiness to collaborate with federal security agencies and invest in strategic infrastructure and cooperative frameworks to enhance safety on land and at sea.

He urged the participants to ensure that the study tour strengthened collective stakeholder resolve and broadened professional approaches to achieving sustainable maritime security outcomes.

In a speech, the Commandant of the Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, highlighted Rivers’ strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.

He noted that the state accounted for 30 per cent of Nigeria’s coastline, approximately 853km and over 40 per cent of the nation’s crude oil output.

Olodude also noted that the state accounted for 33 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings.

He said that due to the critical assets, transitioning from traditional maritime security methods to optimizing technology ‘’is imperative for addressing contemporary challenges in Rivers’ diverse maritime environment.”

Olodude explained that the study tour underscored the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to fostering operational excellence and technological advancement in maritime security, with the state playing a pivotal role in the national effort.