Rivers

Monarch Hails OBALGA Boss’ Choice

Published

5 years ago

July 21, 2021

The Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, has applauded the choice of Barrister George Ariolu as the Executive Chairman of the local government, describing him as a round peg in a round hole, as he has all the requisite qualities, pedigree, carriage and charisma to give the council area a tremendous facelift in the next three years. Consequent upon this, the first class traditional ruler gleefully sets some development agenda and milestones for the council chairman, which would invariably make him stand out among his contemporaries in the present political dispensation.
According to him, with the tutelage and mentorship he has got from no less a personality than the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, who has a knack for assessing the development needs of the people, and delivering on his promise and mandate, Barrister Ariolu is capable of meeting the yearnings and aspirations of OBALGA people.
Eze Eke, who gave this indication in an interview in Port Harcourt said having served under Governor Wike as Chief of Protocols at the council and also Special Adviser, the council chairman must have gotten a great deal from the Governor’s table to be able to turn around the fortunes of the local government, describing him as a very decent man, who is quite knowledgeable and highly educated, being an intelligent and vibrant lawyer.
“I could not have said that for his predecessor. Barrister G. T. Ariolu is somebody that has been groomed and trained, as it were, by the Governor of Rivers State. In other words, he has worked closely with the Governor and must have learnt one or two lessons from him because he has seen what he is doing and all the projects and all the good things that impact on the people from the Governor’s table.George has been around and seen those things. So,it behooves on him to regurgitate what he has gotten from the Governor’s table in Obio/Akpor and that I am very sure he will do”, he said.
The monarch said Ariolu being a grassroots politician, who has so much passion and love for the local government, as well as being a team player, is expected to carry along all the people of the local government both indigenes and non-indigenes, men, women and youths.
“He is a man I know can reach out to all and sundry. He has objectivity and will be able to tackle the myriads of issues that beset the local government,” he intoned.
In order to make a difference, Eze Eke advised the council chairman to have his hands off chieftaincy issues and be the chairman of everybody.
“George is not a one man bulldozer, as it were. His style is to carry all the people together. He is friendly. He understands the people and he understands governance. And he knew what his motives, intentions and his vision were before coming to power. We too we know who George is and that was why we were able to deliver him and voted for him in order to bring to bear those beautiful things in his heart that he wants to do for the people of Obio/Akpor. We should, therefore, continue to support him”, he pleaded.
In terms of projects execution, he said the Governor apparently ushered Ariolu’s coming to the helm of affairs with the recent commissioning and flag-off of several projects as if to welcome him into office, and urged the council chairman to tackle the flooding in front of the council secretariat in Rumuodomaya as well as take interest in the rehabilitation of internal roads in some communities in the local government, which still have bad roads.
Like Governor Wike, the traditional ruler enjoined the council chairman to complete all uncompleted projects started by his predecessors like the Swamp Road project within the Oroigwe axis of the local government as well as direct his attention to the abandoned Fish Farm project in Rumuekini Community and the jetty at Rumuolumeni started by his immediate predecessor, among others.
He said he was sure that Barrister Ariolu had his plans and vision for the local government before he emerged as the executive chairman, adding that “we are only asking him to give attention to these ones and then, feel free to execute the beautiful things in his heart for the people of the local government”.
In the area of security, he urged Ariolu to emulate his master, the Governor whom he described as “the champion of our security” by relating well with security operatives in the local government and create the enabling environment for them to effectively discharge their functions.
The monarch, who superintends over 33 communities within the Evo Kingdom in the local government urged his people, whom he described as peace-loving and hospitable to always support the council chairman to succeed, obey all government regulations and continue to love one another while at the same time remain peaceful.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

Don, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ibibia Worika, has called for stronger implementation of legal and policy frameworks to address the conflicts and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region.

Worika, who is the Director of the University’s Centre for Advanced Law Research, Faculty of Law, made the call during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Building Peace in the Fire.”

Worika, a Professor of Comparative Petroleum and International Environmental Law and Policy at the University of Port Harcourt, said the workshop was aimed at promoting dialogue to enhance the utilisation of legal and policy provisions.

He explained that such provisions were designed to combat extractive industry-related conflicts in the Niger Delta region.

In his paper titled “Addressing the Challenges of Hydrocarbon Mining and Related Conflicts: Towards Promoting Rights-Based Actions for Combating Climate Change in Rivers State”, he noted that pollution and environmental degradation in the region were widespread and well documented.

According to him, deliberations at the workshop focused on Nigeria and international legal frameworks that support oil extraction, while safeguarding environmental responsibilities and human rights.

Worika explained that although Nigeria’s Constitution did not expressly provide for enforceable environmental rights, the domesticated African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights contained provisions on environmental rights that courts could enforce when necessary.

He urged multinational oil companies operating in the region to comply with established international norms, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“These companies are largely from OECD member countries. They should internalise biodiversity safety measures and other international standards in their operations in the Niger Delta,” Worika said.

The Professor also urged the Federal Government to establish an environmental remediation trust fund for the Niger Delta, similar to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project set up for Ogoniland.

He noted that while one billion dollars had been earmarked over 25 to 30 years for the Ogoni clean-up, other parts of the region suffering similar environmental damage required comparable intervention.

Worika further called for the effective implementation of the Host Community Development Trust provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with minimal political interference and equitable representation of host communities.

He emphasised transparency and accountability in managing the trusts, adding that communities should be fully informed about membership criteria and project implementation processes.

On the remediation of Ogoniland oil pollution, Worika advocated for greater community engagement and inclusiveness in project planning and implementation.

“I would like to see greater community engagement, especially in cases where agencies decide how and where to intervene without adequate consultation with those affected. That is certainly not a good approach”, Worika said.

He stressed that communities most impacted by environmental degradation should be included at the planning and design stages and integrated into the project implementation process.

According to him, while technical aspects may require specialised expertise, local residents can handle less technical tasks such as sand removal and soil excavation, thereby enhancing ownership and empowerment.

Similarly, the President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, attributed rising youth restiveness and communal conflicts in Ogoni communities to poor mentorship and leadership failures.

“Our youths today are so much in a hurry. They don’t take time to understand issues before taking sides. They are easily swayed by short-term benefits and often fall prey to politicians”, he said.

He added that the crisis in traditional and political leadership had contributed to conflicts in the area.

Wai-Ogosu used the opportunity to urge parents and community leaders to instil discipline and moral values in young people to promote sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The workshop was organised by the Habitat Protection and Sustainabley Development Initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for Advanced Law Research, Rivers State University.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

KENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The newly appointed Rector of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (KENPOLY), Dr. George Chile Wadike, has said he would prioritize the welfare of students by improving the learning environment.

Dr. Wadike, who disclosed this to The Tide during an interview in his office, said his administration would reduce acts of social vices in the Polytechnic and make it more learning friendly.

“We want to ensure that the school environment is more peaceful and friendly to all.

“We also want to curtail the act of social vices, especially cultism experienced in the Polytechnic”, he state.

According to him, under his watch as Rector, he would ensure zero tolerance for social vices on campus.

On the infrastructures, the Rector said his administration would improve in the existing infrastructures in the school to enhance adequate learning.

He also said his administration shall improve electricity supply on campus to enable students read their books and better their academic performance

Kenpoly, Wadike said, would compete globally with its counterparts in all fields of learning.

“I promise to sow the seed of hard work, learning and teaching amongst others in the Polytechnic as a Rector.

“We shall also improve the Polytechnic by working with its Alumni and improve students welfare. That is why we are really here”, he said.

He assured on protection for students of the school in their academic pursuit and urged them to take their academics seriously.

On cultism and other social vices, Dr. Wadike said his administration shall partner with security agencies and the host community to eradicate acts of cultism in the institution

He also appealed to the students to embrace peace and take their academics seriously, rather than indulging in acts that will be inimical to their life.

The Rector further promised to build a cordial working relationship with the host and neighbouring communities, noting that such relationships shall improve the activities of the Polytechnic.

Dr. Wadike, an Accountant, who promised to reposition the image of the Polytechnic globally, said the activities of the Polytechnic would be publicised to the international communities to earn more credibility.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Lulu-Briggs Commends Tinubu On State Police, Peace In Rivers

Published

12 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A former Accord Party Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Chief Dumu Lulu-Briggs, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for his “pragmatic support” for State Police in Nigeria.

Lulu-Briggs lauded the President on Friday during an exclusive chat with Journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Rivers State.

According to him, State Police will help in reducing criminal activities across the country, saying that the security of life and properities is essential and it is a collective responsibility.

The former Governorship candidate called on governments at all levels to support the State Police in order to make the society crime-free.

He said the State Police would not only reduce crime, but will also boost employments across the country.

Lulu-Briggs also used the medium to applaud President Tinibu for intervening in the face-off between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in Rivers State.

He expressed happiness that peace has returned to the state, noting that the fued between the two organs of the governments has delayed the speed of developments in the state.

The two-time governorship candidate also expressed optimism that the peace accord will give more rooms for development and also create a better atmosphere for empowerment of the youths and Women.

“Now that peace has returned in the state, there is need to queue behind the peace to be sustained for the overall interest and betterment of all in the State..

“On the political tussle in the state, I thank President Tinibu on the recent reconciliation. Now that the problem has been settled by the aggressive parties, it is the responsibility of the people to embrace peace and work towards the growth of the state and continuous sustainability of developments in the state”, he said.

On 2027 election, the Kalabari-born politician said politics is not a do-or-die affair, and advised both the public and politicians to play politics in accordance with the rules.

“To me, politics is not a do-or-die affair, whoever that wins election is still our brother or sister, the important thing is that let them do the needful, they should develop the area and the people.

“The problem we are having in Nigerian politics is that some of our politicians in positions of trust sometimes abuse the opportunities given to them”, he said.

By: Enoch Epelle