Niger Delta
I Wish Wike Is Nigeria’s President – Ex-APC Chieftain

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and now stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Uchenna Okokoba has applauded Governor Nyesom Wike’s style of politics, saying, he wished the governor were the President of Nigeria.
Okokoba, who made the remarks in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said if Governor Wike were the President of the country, going by his style of politics, Nigerians would have been rejoicing and equally happy.
According to him, Governor Wike has shown that he is a friend of both Muslims and Christians, both locally and internationally.
The PDP stalwart applauded the governor for bringing the who is who in Nigeria including foreigners to the state to commission projects executed by his administration and to celebrate good governance with him.
Okokoba, who hails from Anambra State, described Wike as a good manager and a promise keeper, who would be able to manage the affairs of the country much better than what Nigerians are experiencing today.
“Wike knows how to manage crisis. He has proved that he is a promise keeper and a man of his word. He is indeed a straight forward leader, who knows what leadership is all about. That is why many Governors, both those of PDP and APC are coming to Rivers State to learn from him”, he said.
Going by the Governor’s excellent performance in office, he said Wike’s second term bid was a settled case, as the whole world could attest to his good works.
According to him, with the governor’s good works, Wike has apparently finished his preparation for the 2019 governorship election in the state.
“The election is over. His popularity will give him 90 per cent votes. I therefore, advise those agents who are preparing to rig the 2019 elections in Rivers State to have a re-think, because rigging cannot work,” he declared, adding that the massive projects executed by the present administration and those already commissioned by influential Nigerians in the state would speak for the governor.
Okokoba described as laughable the claim by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi that Governor Wike was commissioning his projects, stressing that the projects being commissioned today in the state have direct hearing on Rivers people.
“Amaechi said that Wike is commissioning his projects. This shows that Amaechi and his co-travellers are confused because they do not have any other propaganda with which to discredit Wike. The truth is that they have exhausted their bag of lies,” he intoned.
He said the emergence of a factional group within the APC, the Reformed APC, was a strong indication that the party was in serious crisis, which, according to him, is a child’s play compared to the one the party members had wished the PDP.
“It is an indication that APC is collapsing and this was what I saw before taking my people to the PDP and dumped the sinking boat. My advice to the few remaining members of APC is that they should hurry and come over to PDP before the boat finally sinks”, Okokoba pleaded, stressing that the current crisis rocking APC was a reward for its misrule of the country.
Donatus Ebi
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
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.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter 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, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest 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 fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise 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 said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, 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, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger 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 functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.