News

60 Years In The Tinderbox?

Published

5 years ago

October 1, 2020

As Nigeria marks its Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary, The Tide takes a look at various sectors of the nation’s economy. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the nation’s economy has nose-dived more than ever before and masses subjected to abject poverty, hunger, deprivation and hyperinflation. The manufacturing sector seems to be the worst hit as stakeholders say they have been set back 60 years to pre-Independence level. Excerpts.
The Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers State, Senator Adawari Michael Pepple, noted that in the past there were manufacturing concerns in almost all the major cities in their multiple numbers in the country.
Pepple lamented that those manufacturing concerns have either gone moribund or no longer in existence.
According to him, ’’Trans-Amadi used to be a bubbling hub for manufacturing, there were so many companies doing one thing or the other, but at the moment, we really do not have such a presence, all the companies have folded up, so effectively we have set ourselves back to pre-Independence level, it is unfortunate”.
He attributed the development to the lack of will on the part of government to place priority on manufacturing as a major source of employment.
The senator observed that the cost of power, which is 75 per cent of the cost of manufacturing has never been made available, saying that the situation had placed the manufacturing sector at a disadvantage.
He regretted that the future is bleak stating that Nigeria is at a loss as to what to do in post Covid-19 era, since government was still coming up with policies that were taking a way the capacity of local buyers to buy what little that was being manufactured through the increase of petrol pump price and electricity tariff.
On her part, a financial expert, Mrs Ekimini Gbole-Nwikina, said the aspiration of Nigeria using the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was for Nigeria to attain financial independence.
Gbole-Nwikina recalled that prior to this time, the financial sector suffered so much as a result of failed banks due to poor governance, management style and cash based transactions.
She said these structures became the rallying point of the nation’s economy, “and the outcome was a strong and stable banking system where we now raised 25 solid banks from existing 89 banks, single digit inflation rate, debt reduction and exit from Paris Club, capital market explosion, liberation of foreign exchange market, among others”.
Gbole-Nwikina, lamented, however, that the country was yet to attain financial independence due to the many challenges that still plague the sector.
According to her, “poor governance, poor state of infrastructure, poor human capital development, low interest rate on savings and difficulty in accessing credit facility for SMEs remain the bane of Nigeria’s quest for financial independence”.
On the security architecture of the nation since 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, a peace building practitioner in Rivers State, Mr Cosmas Ndinee, noted that Nigeria has been challenged security wise, saying that a child born at independence would already be a grandparent by now and that in it is self goes with a lot of responsibility.
Ndinee, who is also the coordinator, Search for Common Ground, a non-governmental organisation in Rivers State, stated that Nigeria had not taken on much of this responsibility, particularly as it concerns corruption, pointing out that, “whenever corruption is so strong in a nation, you never can expect anything fine because the players would not handle things in the desired manner”.
He maintained that corruption remain the bane of peace, security and development in the nation stressing, “it is this corruption that has arisen to series of insurgencies, militancy, affecting the security architecture of the country”.
Sadly, he said, this development has resulted in the exit of investors and liquidation of some businesses, thereby creating unemployment, loss of jobs with an increased level of hardship and poverty in the country.
On the way forward, he said security was pivotal in the development of any nation, which he stated must be addressed by calling to the drawing table all the players especially those who feel excluded from the scheme of things and bring the nation to a peaceful position free from violence.
The Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Nsirim Emmanuel Chima said Nigeria is yet to have true Independence and Democratic system that will work in accordance with our cultures.
According to him, Nigeria is still under neo- colonialism of the Western countries, where the nation system is being detected and determined by the influence of the Western countries.
“This Nigeria as country is yet to be a true independence nation, as Independence country, we are still going to abroad for Medical trip, we are also going to abroad for quality education, we are blessed with natural resources and human resources yet we still importing fuels, we supply electricity to other countries, yet Nigeria always have black out every moment, at 60th since Independence our refineries are not in perfect order.
“Nigeria at 60 is a failure and major factors responsible are corruption and bad leadership, if only we will be honest to ourselves and shunned corruption in our system we will move the nation to an enviable height”, Chima said.
Also speaking, former Auditor General in Rivers State and former State House of Assembly member, Chief Bob Frederick, said the only way Nigeria will achieved it desire development is to erased corruption from the governing system.
He said though Nigeria is a negotiated country that needs restructuring but that restructuring with corruption ravaging almost every sector, cannot move Nigeria to any level.
Those who also blamed corruption and bad leadership for the woes of the country were the Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on NDDC, Barrister Erastus Awortu, and a Medical Doctor and National Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Association of Nigeria, Dr Biobelemoye J. Josiah.
Awortu said Nigeria need practical rule of law and not academic one.
Awortu, who is also a lawyer, said Nigeria must move higher, if the government at the centre would shun party politics and tackle corruption irrespective of party affiliation.
On his part, Josiah said the entire nation system needs to be restructuring, arguing that true democracy is the solution to the nation’s problems.
An Electrical Engineer, Mr Godwin Ekanem said, “Nigeria is a blessed country, and nobody in Nigeria should be suffering because everyone is in a good position to make wealth. Tourists should be happy to come and invest in the country and not the reverse. Those countries our big men and leaders travel to for pleasures and medical treatments are not as rich as our country Nigeria.
He said this Africans are not coming to invest, rather to tie the embezzled fund and keep in the bank there: Too bad for our leaders and for our dear country.”
A retired public servant, Mr Olali Seigha said, “This country can never be better so long as there is nepotism, tribalism, among others.
“This country is so divided in a way that there is no way that we can improve, except there is a division.
“If we can divide without a war, then its better, so the northerners and Southerners go their separate ways that is the only thing that can improve this country, otherwise there is no way somebody is 60 years like our country, Nigeria and is still very backward”.
Lecturer and author, Dr. Priye Elechi Amadi said, Nigeria needs to create new values.
“We are always learning and where we are now is a total conglomeration of what we have been” she said.
She challenged leaders to begin to set right priorities and such could make the country come out from the rot it’s now.
“So, we should be growing at this point with technology wise by improving our digital skills and move with the world”, she added.
Amadi, who is also the chairperson of the Reading Association of Nigeria, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, “Yes, we are 60 good and fine, and life can begin at 60. I am not losing hope in this country.”
For former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Sir Boma Brown, the creation of Nigeria was the beginning of the woes for the people.
He submitted that Nigeria was a creation of British commercial and Colonial interest, recalling that even Sir James Roberston, the last Governor General of Nigeria admitted that the South and North had no similarities.
In the light of this, Brown called for deconstruction and restructuring, “If we restructure then we can move ahead.”
The Opobo-born politician maintained that unless there is a total reorganisation of the polity, Nigeria will remain stagnant.
“Our current political ideology is defective because it’s driven by ethnic and religious bias making it difficult to grow.”
Brown also recommended the need to see all groups as equal, “a system that views other ethnic group as superior to others cannot move forward.”
An activist and social critic, Mr. Ethelbert Agam, has stated that at 60, Nigeria is no longer a child, because a man at that age would have done who is expected of him or be regarded as a failure.
Agam averred that the county has come a long way and could have performed better than she does at the moment.
He observed that the country has fared too badly though, but blamed our snail-pace progress on most of nation’s greedy leaders (past and present) who cornered the wealth of the county to themselves.
According to him, “We need a social analysis to ascertain how we manage to fine ourselves in this unjustifiable socio-economic malady. We need to ask ourselves some questions.”
Also speaking, a trader at Watt market, Calabar, Mrs. Jennet Azu, said that Nigeria has come of age, but quickly note our politician dampened the spirit of Nigerians with their failed promises.
“We do not want anything from them rather than good road network to enable us carry our products from rural area to urban cities, may be water and electricity.
“They will come with their sweet talk during campaigns, as soon as they get into office, they forget the masses,” she lamented.
On his part, a road side mechanic, Mr. Dominic Etim, noted that Nigeria could have been better than it is now if some of our leaders have human feelings and stop the capital flight, but rather use our God given wealth to develop the country for the overall benefit of all.
The Coordinator, Western Zone, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Fred Ajuzie: “Government need to support customs to drive the revenue profile. We want to see a situation whereby scanners are available to boost trade facilitation and encourage import and export.
“Lack of scanners has affected their operations. The maritime sector since the nation’s Independence. Firstly, port concession has failed because when Nigerian ports Authority was in charge of the ports, you will agree with me that things were a bit okay.
“However, since the ports were concessions to private investors things have been static”.
Market woman, Rose Afolabi said, “The government should show us human face. We are suffering so much in this country. The cost of living is high. Our government should provide us with good roads, electricity, and drinking water, nothing we need than that. If they like, let them pocket our money”.

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa, Enoch Epelle, John Bibor, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, Kevin Nengia (Port Harcourt), Friday Nwagbara (Calabar), Canice Amadi (Enugu), Nkpemenyie Mcdominic (Lagos) & Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi (Abuja).

News

Cleric Harps On Significance Of Thanksgiving

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The General Overseer of Firstlove Assembly and renowned preacher, Senior Pastor Simeon Afolabi, has highlighted the significance of thanksgiving, saying it remains one of the best ways to show gratitude to God, and also one of the ways to please God Almighty.
Pastor Afolabi gave the indication as the guest preacher at the annual thanksgiving celebration of Holy Hills Church in Port Harcourt last Saturday.
The 2025 Holy Hills Church annual thanksgiving, tagged, “Thanksgiving of God’s Mercies”, witnessed the gathering of christian faithful to celebrate God’s unwavering love and mercies despite insurmountable challenges.
The General Overseer said the essence of thanking God cannot be over-emphasised, considering the good things He is doing for mankind.
The renowned man of God said one of the ways to please God is not to take His act for granted but to thank Him for everything He has done.
He urged churches to endeavour to make thanksgiving their priority so as to attract more blessings from God.
Pastor Afolabi noted that gratitude is a way of God, hence, “it behooves us to do it every moment of the day,” and opined that the Holy Hills Church was on the right track by recognising God’s mercy and kindness through thanksgiving.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of Holy Hills Church and Chief Host, Pastor Sunny Ikonwa said the aim of the annual thanks- giving celebration was to thank God for His mercy, saying, the annual event which is like Christ Mass to his members could best be described as God’s faithfulness upon their lives.
He said the annuall meeting remains God’s project which the church attaches great importance to and ensures its success every year.
He noted that the church under him will continue to sensitise people and preach to them on the way of peace.
The cleric recalled that the church that started under a palm tree has made tremendous improvement by God’s grace.
Pastor Ikonwa said his mission which is doing what pleases his Maker remains his watchword.
The Holy Hills Church pastor said the mercy of God has been able to sustain his people, saying, the prayer of a Christian goes a long way to rekindle the heart of God, stressing that it is for this singular reason that the church had come in His presence with something measurable to it, as a way of showing appreciation.
According to him, anything big starts small just as his church has done.
He said to the glory of God, today, the church has been growing in His direction.
He, therefore, admonished Christians to have hope and faith in God in the face difficulties, urging the government to always put the interest of the people first, as it has everything it takes to make life meaningful for the citizenry.
Pastor Ikonwa noted that government should be able to implement policies geared towards bettering the lives of the people.
The climax of the programme was the cutting of the thanksgiving cake by the General Overseer and his wife .Various organs of the church also made special presentations to God.

News

Police Confirm Death Of Two Officers In Imo, Finger IPOB

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Police Force has indicted the dreaded group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the killing of two police officers, and injuring of one civilian who was rushed to the hospital after sustaining bullet wounds in a coordinated attack in Imo State on June 11, 2024.
The State Police Command, had in a press release accused the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) of being responsible for the killing of the two police officers and injuring of a civilian at Akabo community in Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State.
According to the police, the incident was perpetrated in the early hours of the day by the hoodlums. They attacked one Christian Ama Chukwu in front of his shop at 79, Umudike, Umunnemoche Abazu, Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, engaged them in a prolonged gun battle and ultimately repelled the attack. Unfortunately, two police personnel lost their lives in the attack. An unnamed civilian was also critically injured in the attack,and he sustained serious injuries in the course of the shootout.
Some residents who spoke with newsmen said the hoodlums were first noticed alighting from their vehicles and harassing residents for not participating in the seat-in or seat-at-home protests. They said the situation got out of control when they opened fire on an approaching police vehicle.
Another eye witness, IfechukwuOpara, said the gunmen then moved around the village in the community,shooting sporadically to aid their escape. “They were driving around the community in a reckless manner while shooting in the air to scare people away before they finally left”, he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye had confirmed the incident.
He described it as “a senseless, unwarranted and unprovoked act of violence which must not go unsolved.”
According to him, the police would not leave any stone unturned in the quest to arrest and prosecute the criminals.
Subsequently, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had mobilised a Police Tactical Squad of the Command to track down the killers, and said, “As I am talking to you now, an intense operation is currently going on in Ikeduru Local Government Area with a view to apprehending the hoodlums responsible for the attack.”
DSP Okoye noted that killings were another painful and stark reminder of the sacrifices police officers make in the commitment to secure the country.

News

‘Tinubu Committed To Environmental Sustainability, Benefits To Ogoni’

Published

1 day ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

As the Ogoni cleanup programme being implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) continues to record significant milestones across thematic areas, the Federal Government says such gestures further demonstrate President Bola Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to environmental sustainability and ensuring the Project brings benefits to Ogoni people.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who made this assertion during the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water schemes in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, in line with HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to Ogoniland, said the provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life.
The latest commissioning brings the water stations to 16, providing access to potable water to 45 Ogoni communities , a development the Minister explains as part of President Tinubu’s commitment to peace ,environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal noted that the latest commissioning is restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource .
‘’The provision of potable water is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life. It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.We
will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to the communities long deprived of this essential resource”, he said.
While commending the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, development partners, stakeholders and traditional rulers, among others for their relentless commitment towards the actualisation of these projects, he urged communities to protect and take ownership of the projects, emphasising that their longevity and effectiveness depend on their collective efforts of maintaining and protecting them for posterity.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey maintained that the Project remains resolute in its resolve to ensure that it completes and delivers all projects initiated within the time frame for the use and benefit of Ogoni people in line with the directives of the Governing Council and under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
To achieve this, Zabbey explained that “We
continue to work closely with community leaders, youth and women, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure solutions are identified and implementation continues smoothly.
‘’We remain guided by the principle of partnership, dialogue, transparency and accountability, knowing that sustainable progress is best achieved through collaboration and mutual understanding. That is the hallmark of HYPREP,” he said.
He appealed to the people to continue to reinforce peace and understanding, using dialogue as a vital tool for resolving disputes, especially around project sites and within communities, noting that the concurrent implementation of over 100 projects across Ogoniland reflects the seriousness and dedication of HYPREP, a momentum that must be sustained through mutual trust and collaboration.
For the Project Coordinator, the event was an ideal opportunity to provide a project status update to Ogoni people, as he excitedly announced the milestone achievements recorded so far to include environmental remediation-94 percent completion in Phase 1 of mangrove restoration; shoreline at 67.1percent; Phase 2 land remediation at 36.55 percent; potable water-14 completed water facilities inaugurated, supplying potable water to 40 Ogoni communities, while the commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities last Saturday increased the number of communities with access to clean and safe water to 45.
Other milestones are the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) at 92 percent complete and the processes of operationalising the Centre has begun with the just concluded colloquium, while the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations ongoing. The Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 76.8 percent with 98.7 percent achieved in the Buan Cottage Hospital. The Ogoni public study being conducted by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while over 5,000 have been trained in multiple skills and provided start-up skits, among other programmes.
Zabbey further hinted of the commencement of some demand-driven skills areas this quarter, which include cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, software development, GIS and commercial diving.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Dumnamene Deekor; Chairman,Great Green Wall, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, MrNwizug Gordon; representative of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, MrIgoWeli; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; and former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya; all commended the Minister of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Earlier, the Minister and his entourage had paid a courtesy call on Mene Bua Kenwigbara, King D.Y Barile, at his palace, where the former was conferred a chieftaincy title of MeneAnua Le Maa 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom; and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP as Mene doo Letam 1 of Ken-Khana Kingdom.

Also decorated were the Chairman of Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hon Emmanuel Deeyah; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari.

Highpoints of the event were the formal commissioning of the Bane and Gwara water facilities by the Minister and the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Tony Attach,represented by MrIgoWeli; the symbolic issuance of education support Items;and the visit to the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park for symbolic tree planting by the Minister; the Project Coordinator; BoT Chairman; Senator Abe; IgoWeli; Director General, NEASRA, Prof Innocent Barikor; and Zina Wiwa, the daughter of the legendary environmentalist; and the visit to the CEER.

In two years, the Minister of Environment, has visited Ogoniland five times to commission 16 water stations, supplying potable water to 45 Ogoni communities and ensuring that other projects get equal attention, a clear demonstration of his unflinching commitment to the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme in line with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and driven under the visionary and passionate leadership of Prof NenibariniZabbey as Project Coordinator.

By: Donatus Ebi