News

Wike Meets Sanitation Service Providers, Today …Signs Three Bills Into Law …Says Traditional Rulers Key To Peace Building

Published

6 years ago

August 5, 2019

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, will today, meet with chief executive officers of environmental sanitation service providers in the state.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, indicated that the meeting would hold by 4pm at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The statement reads, “This is to inform the Environmental Sanitation Service Providers of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) that only owners of the said service providers can attend the meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“Any service provider, who sends a manager or staff to represent him/her at the meeting will have his/her contract revoked.
“Once again, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike will meet with all Environmental Sanitation Service Providers of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Government House, Port Harcourt by 4pm”.
The statement further emphasised that the meeting is specifically designed for chief executive officers or managing directors of the service companies, warning that, “Any service provider that fails to attend the meeting will have himself to blame”.
Meanwhile, in a bid to strengthen the governance process, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, signed into law three bills passed by the state House of Assembly.
The bills signed into law include the Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets & Motor Parks (Prohibition) Bill No. 8 of 2019, Rivers State Healthcare Facilities Registration Bill No. 6 of 2019 and Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Bill No. 7 of 2019.
Giving his assent to the bills at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said that the state government was committed to entrenching good governance and the rule of law in the state.
Wike said that the state government would diligently implement the Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets & Motor Parks (Prohibition) Law to clean-up Port Harcourt and its environs.
“We have vowed to bring Port Harcourt back to its Garden City status. This law will help us stop illegal street trading, illegal motor parks and illegal markets within the city centre.
“We are not going to allow the littering of the state capital. In the next few weeks, people will see improvements in Port Harcourt”, he said.
The governor directed the state Attorney General to officially approach the Chief Judge of Rivers State for the appointment of Magistrates for the Mobile Courts.
He said: “We have six mobile courts. So, as they arrest offenders, they will be tried and sentenced by the courts. We didn’t start implementation because there was no law”.
Wike said that the state government has employed workers to fully implement the law.
He noted that the 400 workers would work in shifts till 8pm everyday to ensure that nobody engages in street trading, illegal markets and illegal motor parks.
On the environmental law, Wike said that the state government would work towards improving the environmental sanitation of the state.
He said: “We are spending N6billion to evacuate waste annually. Even at that, people still carelessly dump refuse on the roads.
“This time, if you generate refuse, you will pay government to clear it. I have directed the Honourable Attorney General to prepare a bill to be sent to the House of Assembly over these environmental issues”, he said.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said that the state lawmakers were pleased with the achievements of the Rivers State governor, and assured that they would continue to support his administration.
He said that the three laws were focused on enhancing the living standard of Rivers people.
Ibani also said that what the Rivers State governor was doing in collaboration with the House of Assembly would lift the state ahead of others.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Amaewhule, had presented the three bills to Governor Wike for assent.
Those who witnessed the signing into law of the bills, are top government functionaries, the leadership of the state House of Assembly, the leadership of the state Judiciary, some permanent secretaries, among others.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated the important role traditional rulers could play in ensuring peace and sustainable development in the state.
Wike said this, yesterday, in Port Harcourt during a peace and security conference/reconciliation convened by King Disrael Bob-Manuel, Amanyanabo of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.
Wike, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said that the state would continue to encourage and support peace building efforts by community leaders as government alone could not provide security for the people.
He expressed concern over the absence of major political gladiators during the last elections in the peace and security conference that was aimed at achieving reconciliation.
“The discussion of peace and security cannot be complete without the involvement of all, especially the political class in local government areas.
“During the last elections, Akuku-Toru LGA alone had up to 10 governorship aspirants whom I expected to see here with their supporters contributing to the issue of peace, security and development of the local government.
“All persons, politicians, men, women, youths, boys and girls should be part of the peace building process in this community,” he said in a statement by the Media Officer in the office of the Secretary to State Government, Miss Juliet Masi.
According to Wike, security agencies such as the military which played a vital role and increased the tension and crisis in the area during the last election were not also represented.
“If we must x-ray what went wrong in the last election, any discussion that does not highlight the role of the military is cowardly as we must face reality to make progress.
“The conference’s intention to see youths shun cultism, political/election violence, use of illicit drugs, thuggery/rape should as well be extended to the security agents that caused mayhem in the community,” he added.
Wike urged the conference convener and Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel to ensure the involvement of the council of chiefs in his domain to put all hands on deck in the establishment of the peace in the council.
Earlier in his presentation titled, “Strategic Response to Sustainable Peace and Security in Akuku-Toru LGA”, Pastor Christopher Briggs, discussed the immediate causes of violence and criminality in the area and presented recommendations to sustainable peace.
Also speaking, the Chief Superintendent of Police in the local government, Mr Uzota Chidi, advised youths and political leaders to be law-abiding and peace-loving.
Uzota said that even when only a few people cause the crisis, all members of a community would suffer its consequences.
The Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel said the peace and security conference was organised to mend the community which was divided along with political differences and chieftaincy disputes.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor