Rivers

Minister Commissions HYPREP’s Area Office In Rivers

Published

4 years ago

August 18, 2021

The Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, has commissioned the area office of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Abubakar, who commissioned the project executed by HYPREP, yesterday in Bori, said the office which is located within the council secretariat of the local government, is intended to bring the activities of the federal agency, which is responsible for remediation of Ogoniland, closer to the people.
The area office is expected to be replicated in the other three Ogoni-speaking LGAs of the state, including Gokana, Eleme and Tai.
The Minister also flagged off the second phase of the free medical outreach being organised by HYPREP at the Zonal General Hospital in Bori, insisting that the clean-up project currently ongoing in Ogoniland has been fast-tracked with the restructuring of the governing structures of HYPREP.
According to him, the Federal Government was fully committed to the total implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoaniland, as it is not only cleaning up the polluted environment but also restoring the livelihoods of the Ogoni people, including taking care of their health needs and provision of potable drinking water.
As part of the policy designed to restore the livelihoods of the people, Abubakar equally flagged off a training programme for 2,000 youths at the Eleme council secretariat in Nchia, with a charge to the trainees to take the exercise seriously since they are through the exercise basically provided skills in remediation techniques, which would ultimately help them in the future.
In his remarks at the events, the Officer Overseeing the Project Coordination Office, HYPREP and Director of Operations, Prof Philip Shekwolo, said HYPREP was committed to executing its mandate in Ogoniland, and lauded the people, particularly the youths for their support and cooperation, describing them as the strength of the clean-up project.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of HYPREP, Dr Mike Nwielaghi, said with what is happening in Ogoni today, the people are happy, and expressed delight that funds are being released for the execution of various projects in the area.
While assuring that the funds would be judiciously utilised, he said members of the BOT would support the project by ensuring that there is no bickering and in- fighting amongst them.
Among dignitaries who graced the occasions included the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Clement Agba; the representative of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Babayaro Adoo; Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol; Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon Obarilomate Ollor; Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr Thomas Bariere; among others.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.

Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.

The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.

National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.

Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.

He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.

Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.

On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.

She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Seminitari was later presented an award.

New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.

There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.

They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.

According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.

The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.

They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.

Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.

They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.

Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.

The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.

President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.

The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.

According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.

The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.

He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.

According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.

The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.

Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.

“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.

The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.

Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.

The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.

Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.

By; King Onunwor