Niger Delta

NIPR, Publishers Hail Wike Over Nsirim’s Appointment

Published

6 years ago

January 10, 2020

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Rivers State Independent Publishers Association (RIVPA) have lauded Governor Nyesom Wike over the appointment of Paulinus Nsirim as the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, describing it as meritorious and well deserved.
The NIPR in a statement by its Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Chinedum Emeana and made available to The Tide expressed belief that the appointment of Nsirim who is the current Chairman of the body in the State, is strategic.
The statement reads: “Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has applauded Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for the meritorious appointment of Pastor Paulinus Nsirim as the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communication.
“The NIPR Rivers State Chapter believes strongly that the appointment of Nsirim, who is the current Chairman of our Chapter, is a strategic appointment that would help the State Government to change the narrative of the state in a positive way.
“Nsirim’s pedigree as a seasoned journalist, erudite editor, public relations strategist and public administrator par excellence was eminently displayed by him as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry from November 2017. He carried out campaigns and programmes that stood him out as a competent professional and loyal ally.
“The information and communication ministry has evolved beyond an information dissemination platform to the reputation management engine-room of the state.”
The NIPR further said that the appointment of Nsirim, who they described as a seasoned Public Relations practitioner, shows that “the Governor wants to harness the reputation capital of the state towards his New Rivers Vision strategy for the benefit of the people.
“Indeed, the Rivers state chapter of NIPR notes that reputation is a key ingredient in attracting scarce investment capital amidst competing destinations around the world.
“We believe very strongly that Nsirim will help Governor Wike in repositioning Rivers State to be a preferred investment destination,” it said.
Similarly, RIVPA in a statement issued by its Chairman, Jerry Needam and Secretary, Solomon Parakom and obtained by The Tide said Governor Wike’s foresight in the said appointment was unprecedented.
“RIVPA described the appointment and swearing in of Pastor Paulinus Nsirim as the State Commissioner for Information and Communications as duly earned and well deserved,” the publishers said.
It further said the appointment was not only a plus to the Journalism profession but also an appreciation of the media practitioners for their efforts in the promotion and sustenance of democratic leadership in the society.
The state based publishers also said the appointment of Nsirim, an ace journalist, and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council as the new spokesman of Government is a reminder that in life, it’s not what we take up, but we give up that gives us due recognition.
The statement reads further, “Pastor Nsirim has proven himself as a prominent member and trail blazer in the journalism profession having served as Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Government at different times with remarkable records.
We also give kudos to His Excellency, Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his magnanimity and hindsight to select one of the best brains and a core professional journalist to man the Information machinery of Rivers State government”, RIVPA declared.
The RIVPA Leadership assured of their unalloyed support to the new Information Commissioner to ensure that Rivers people are well informed about public affairs for a better understanding between them and their leaders.

Dennis Naku, Favour Ukwi

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.