Niger Delta

Don Faults Rivers APC’s Planned Congresses

Published

6 years ago

September 11, 2019

A University teacher , Dr. Gift Worlu has faulted the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct congresses in Rivers State when there were still contending issues, describing the move by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as putting the cart before the horse.
Worlu, a senior lecturer, Department of Management at the University of Port Harcourt Business School, spoke during a life radio programme monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital
Recall that the APC’s NWC recently appointed a five-member executive caretaker committee for Rivers chapter of the party to oversee the party’s affairs in the state, even as it rolled out a timetable for the party congress.
But Worlu, who is a member of the APC, described the decision of the party to conduct a congress when there were still issues in the Rivers APC as a wrong step, saying, “I want to believe that the leadership of the APC must have thought through all the issues before reaching the decision to hold a congress at this time.
“But as an individual, and if I were to decide for the party, I will think that this is a step in the wrong direction. So, I want to err on the side of the people who think that this decision is coming at the wrong time and may not be the best decision for the party at this time,” he stated.
He explained that the issue of reconciliation should have been uppermost in the minds of the party’s leadership, especially as the party did not field candidates in the 2019 general elections in the state.
“After the 2019 elections, I would have thought that the first thing that the party would have done would be a postmortem of the election to find out what went wrong concerning the APC at the state level and even the federal.
“The national leadership of the party would have come to Rivers State to find out what went wrong? Why is it that the APC did not have candidate in the last election? Why didn’t we win and so on?
“We (APC) didn’t have candidate but at the end of the day, the party adopted the governorship candidate of the AAC, Engr. Biokpomabo Awara, and a lot of things happened. “So, I expect the NWC to have initiated that reconciliation. Maybe the party did not do that probably because there is no clear executive on the ground in the state”, he said.
On the task before the caretaker committee of the APC in Rivers, the don said “My concern will be that they have a responsibility which is to ensure that they carry out their assignment in a manner that is democratic and accommodates the yearnings and aspirations of party members. That they carry out their assignment is such a way that at the end of the day the party will come out better than it is now.”

Dennis Naku

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.