Niger Delta

Rivers Head Of Service Wants Information Officers To Update Knowledge

Published

7 years ago

November 15, 2019

The Head of the Civil Service in Rivers State, Mr Rufus Godwinss has tasked information officers in the state Ministry of Information and Communications and media practitioners in the state to continually seek to update their knowledge in order to properly report and present events to the public.
Speaking at a one-day training workshop organised by the ministry, Mr Godwins said the need to update their skills and knowledge had become more important because of the sophistication and knowledge of the readers and audience.
Mr Godwins, who was the special guest of honour at the event, which took place at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Port Harcourt last Tuesday, noted that as a bridge between the ministry and the public, information officers should always strive to be abreast of policies of government and issues of governance in order to properly inform the public accurately.
“Don’t report fake news. Avoid stale news. Strive to be very knowledgeable by updating yourselves constantly. The people rely on you and the burden of responsibility is yours to prove by accurate reportage of events and your carriage in the discharge of your duties”, he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Hon Enemi George Alabo advised journalists to concentrate on building their capacities as that will ultimately impact positively on their understanding and reportage of events.
Alabo, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the responsibility to market and constantly promote Rivers State and Port Harcourt as a brand and destination for investment rests on the shoulders of the information officers.
“We must be careful about what we report, how we report things about the state. We should all work together to drive this new narrative about the state which your ministry is rightfully driving.
“Therefore, equip yourself sufficiently by reading widely, because everyone has the potential to do great things to help humanity and the larger society”, he urged.
The lawmaker, who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency in the House, urged journalists to concentrate more on reporting about people rather than politics and power, noting that the real power belongs to the people, who are the reasons for governance.
He commended the permanent secretary for organising the workshop and urged that it be made more regular as the benefits were enormous.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim had reiterated the need for the workshop which he described as a veritable tool for the advancement of Information

officers and media practitioners in the state.
He expressed regrets that the last workshop of this kind by the ministry was over eight years ago, a situation, he said, must be reversed, as there was constant need to update and improve the knowledge of information officers in the ever changing world.
Also speaking at the event, the state chairman of the NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley, commended the permanent secretary and the ministry for organising an inclusive workshop for the benefit of journalists in the state.
He appealed to parastatals under the ministry to also organise routine workshops in their various organisations as the importance of such cannot be over-emphasised.

Papers were presented by Prof. Godwin Okon on “News Writing and FoI Act”; Dr C. I. Ochonogor on “Features Writing”; Prof C. U. Omegu on “Interview Techniques” and Dr Richard Amadi on “Writing Press Release”.
In a post workshop interview, participants expressed satisfaction with the exercise, noting that it has been most beneficial and rewarding.
They commended the permanent secretary for putting together the workshop and called for more, and assured to put in practice what they had learned from the workshop.
Over 60 participants attended the workshop from the Ministry of Information and Communications, Parastals under the ministry and the NUJ.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Inaugurates Cttees For 30th Creation Anniversary

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has inaugurated six sub-committees, as it begins preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the state on 1st October.

Inaugurating the sub-committees in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, explained that Bayelsa has countless reasons to appreciate God for what He has done for its land and people in the 30 years of its existence, especially in development.

He charged the sub-committees to come up with proposals for the various activities and events for the celebration within the next two weeks in line with their respective terms of reference, stressing that strategic things had to be done to make the anniversary significant and historic.

According to him, the three-day programme of activities for the anniversary celebration, which will commence on the 29th of September, will be preceded by two weeks of commissioning of public infrastructural projects completed by the Prosperity Administration.

The Bayelsa Number Two Man further clarified that events penciled down for the celebration include a cultural carnival, boat regatta, anniversary lecture, sporting events, state banquet and awards night.

The sub-committees are: the Awards Sub-Committee, chaired by His Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo; the Sports Sub-Committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Igali; and the Lecture Sub-Committee, with Prof. Stephen Olali as its Chairman.

Others are: the Mega Praise Sub-Committee, jointly chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, and the Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Emiefenim; the Cultural Sub-Committee, headed by Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou-Obolo; and the Publicity Sub-Committee, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, as Chairman.

by: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Backs Federal Drive To Cut Maternal, Newborn Deaths … Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), with a renewed push to tackle the persistently high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the Niger Delta.

The Commission made the pledge during workshops for traditional birth attendants held in Delta and Bayelsa states, where it stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the orthodox healthcare system to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking at the training, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged women to embrace modern medical care while leveraging the trusted role of traditional birth attendants in their communities.

Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku described maternal and child mortality as an alarming public health challenge that requires urgent and collective action.

“The rate of death among women and children is alarming and must be eradicated. This training is designed to enlighten our women and should not be taken for granted”, he said.

According to him, the workshop was organised to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of traditional birth attendants in providing safe maternal and newborn care, identifying pregnancy-related complications early, and referring high-risk cases promptly to hospitals and health centres.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, called on women to take issues relating to childbirth seriously, stressing that improved knowledge and adherence to safe delivery practices would help save lives.

Represented by the Principal Manager, EHSS, Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, Ezugu disclosed that more than 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the training and were provided with medical equipment and cash support to enhance their services.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, underscored the vital role traditional birth attendants continue to play in many rural communities, noting that regular capacity building would improve the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

“Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of many communities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are helping to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care, thereby improving health outcomes”, she said.

A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organising the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.

“I have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of healthcare I provide in my community. I have also learnt the importance of referring expectant mothers to health centres and hospitals whenever a case is beyond my capacity”, she said, while urging the Commission to sustain the initiative.

Niger Delta

Uyo Club Inaugurates New Executive … Tasks Members On Service, Community Impact

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

One of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious social clubs, Uyo Club, has inaugurated its full Executive Council to oversee the affairs of the association for the next two years, with a charge to provide purposeful leadership and make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the club’s headquarters on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the President of the club, Prof. Sahm Etuk, urged the newly elected executive members to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said members of the club expected the new leadership not only to strengthen the institution, but to also extend its impact beyond the clubhouse through service to the wider community.

“You have voluntarily presented yourselves for service, and we expect that you will make yourselves available at all times to offer the service required of you”, Etuk said.

The inauguration followed the April 2026 bye-election conducted to fill vacant positions in the Executive Council.

Among those inaugurated was renowned broadcast administrator and Executive Managing Consultant of Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo, Samuel Enoh Akpan, who was elected Public Relations Officer. Akpan is also a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Other members of the Executive Council are Barrister Eno Inyang (Treasurer), Anthony Etim (Social Secretary), Christian Daniel (Welfare Secretary), Friday Ekpa (Legal Adviser), Christian Chukwu (Provost), Mmenye Udofa (Assistant Secretary), Otu Otu (Maintenance Secretary) and Macaulay Udom (Ex-Officio).

Prof. Etuk, a Professor of Strategic Marketing, Director of the School of Continuing Education at the University of Uyo, and Chairman of the institution’s Sports Committee, had earlier been inaugurated as President on January 10, 2026, alongside the Vice President, Dr. Nestor Udoh, a retired Permanent Secretary.

Other officials inaugurated at the time include Ndi Aquaisua (General Secretary), TPL Dr. Emmanuel Etuk (Financial Secretary), Dr. Imbur Terfa (Auditor), and Dr. Anietie Ekong (General Games Captain).

The President also inaugurated the Board of Past Presidents, made up of all living former presidents of the club, urging them to continue providing guidance and institutional support to the Executive Council in line with the club’s constitution.

Former presidents present at the event included Dr. Emem Umoh, Dr. Bassey Etuknwa, Engr. Mbosowo Orok, Prof. Ini Jonah, and Akparawa Ikpong Essien-Udom, a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Etuk called on members to unite in pursuit of the club’s founding ideals of recreation, service and development, expressing confidence that the newly constituted organs of the club would strengthen its operations and reposition it for greater relevance.

Founded in 1935, Uyo Club remains one of Nigeria’s foremost recreational associations, with a membership that cuts across diverse professions and sectors of society.