Rivers

Commissioner Tasks Youths On Nation Building, Peace

Published

5 years ago

September 13, 2021

Youths in the State have been told to jettison cult activities and hooliganism but rather, become nation builders and uphold the existing peace in the state.
Commissioner for Youth Development in the State, Hon. Prince Obi Ohia, who gave the charge during a Town Hall meeting in Port Harcourt City Local Government, disclosed that the essence of the advocacy visit was to ensure youths’ inclusion in the scheme of things, especially in governance.
Ohia warned youths to desist from indulging in cultism, substance abuse and thuggery as such vices, he said, were capable of truncating their educational pursuit and career advancement.
The ministry’s boss decried the recent ugly incident which happened in Ogbum-Nu-Abali communities, where some cultists carried out wanton destruction and illegal extortion from some individuals, stressing that it is totally unacceptable and also warned that such acts cannot go unpunished.
According to Ohia, “we are in a society that is governed by laws and we would not allow criminals to overrun us because any society where laws are not obeyed, then there is bound to be anarchy and it is completely unacceptable in the state.
“Our Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, has done a lot of things, he has put in a lot of commitments to reawaken us and let us know that government is for the people, especially as is evident in the quality of projects he is delivering to the people, we must not jeopardise his efforts and good intentions,” he added.
He noted that there was an array of remarkable quality projects that have been carried out by the governor, to rekindle the hope of youths and advised the youths to appreciate the laudable gestures rather than become agents of destruction in the state.
Ohia also encouraged Community Based Youth Organisations in the area to ensure they were captured in the ongoing revalidation exercise by the ministry, stressing that they can only operate and be recognised by both the State and Local Governments when they have been duly revalidated.
Chairman of the Council, Hon. Alwell Ihunda, said as a local government council, they would give the youths priority attention and space in their programmes and policies.
Ihunda disclosed that the Council, about a month ago, flagged off an empowerment programme where youths were enlisted into various skills acquisition programmes.
The Chairman said, “Our desire is to ensure that the youths are trained, taking into consideration that paid employments are no longer available as they were in the past therefore, there is need for youth development and the development comes through skills acquisition programmes which will make the youths employable and employers of labour.
“The first stage of the empowerment programme has started, some persons would be graduating by the end of this month, depending on the programme and we would continue with the second phase and ensure that throughout our stay as a government, that the programme will be of tremendous benefit to all the communities and wards in Port Harcourt City Local Government”.
The council boss urged the youths to take advantage of the empowerment programme, stressing that it is for the betterment and benefit of youths in the area.

By: Ike Wigodo

Rivers

Low Awareness Bothers RIVCHPP … As Agala Calls For Grassroots Sensitisation

Published

47 seconds ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (ES/CEO) of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has called on residents of the state to amplify awareness of the state’s health insurance scheme to boost enrolment and access to quality healthcare.

Agala, represented by the agency’s Head of Planning, Dr. Juliet Aleme, made the appeal during a sensitisation and enrolment meeting at the palace of the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh, in Oyigbo Town.

He stressed that wider dissemination of information about the scheme would deepen public awareness and encourage more residents to take advantage of the initiative championed by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Agala explained that the programme is designed to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to residents across the state’s 23 local government areas, by eliminating financial hardship at the point of care.

She noted that both federal and state governments have already covered premiums for vulnerable groups, urging residents of Oyigbo and beyond to enrol for seamless healthcare delivery.

Responding, Azuh commended the initiative and assured that his people would embrace the scheme.

He, however, appealed for an expansion of the vulnerability category to accommodate more citizens, while also urging the inclusion of eye care services and surgeries.

Earlier, the Head of Community Medicine at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Chidinma Opara, disclosed that research conducted by 600-level medical students revealed low awareness of the scheme and poor utilisation of primary healthcare centres in Oyigbo.

She said the institution partnered with RIVCHPP to bridge the awareness gap and enhance community access to the programme’s benefits, particularly among vulnerable populations.

As part of the collaboration, officials conducted an assessment visit to the PAMO University Teaching Hospital, with ongoing discussions to onboard the facility as a service provider for RIVCHPP enrollees.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Court Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny

Published

45 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A High Court Sitting in Port Harcourt, presided by Hon. Justice Teetito has outlawed the constitution of caretaker committee or any interim administration in the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State.

Ruling on suit number BHC/101/2016, brought before it by contending parties, the court declared that the Constitution of Grand Bonny Kingdom and regulations on chieftaincy matters,1971, only provide for a substantive chief as the Head of the House as contained in section 2d, 6a and 10 of the constitution of Bonny, and as such the court has no jurisdiction to determine the suit on caretaker committee as it is built on nothing.

Addressing the press in Port Harcourt, Lead Counsel of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Tope Duyilemi, said the position of the law as contained in the judgement is binding on all parties in the suit and cautioned any violations to avoid contempt of court and chaos in the reverred chieftaincy House.

He noted that the composition of the Jumbo Major House and its organs have been previously interpreted and set out in suit no PHC/1098/2006 and suit no PHC/1164/2006 by Hon. Justice Agumagu and Hon. Justice Akpugunum, respectively.

He stated that by the judgement, the emergence of Chief Tamunoala Chapp Jumbo as the Head of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny through a due process of selection by the house remains valid pending the outcome of a suit on the matter in Okrika High Court.

Dr. Duyilemi commended the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM, King Asimini People, for his royal insight in sustaining traditional norms and values of ancient Bonny Kingdom.

Rivers

Monarchs, Others Pass Confidence Vote On PINL … As Firm Recommits To Stakeholder Engagements In Bayelsa

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State traditional rulers within the operational corridors of an oil and gas surveillance firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), have lauded the company for standing up to its responsibilities of ensuring that its host communities were carried along in its scheme of things.

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers during the March, 2026 stakeholders meeting of the firm in Yenagoa, on Thursday, Chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), praised the firm on its relentless efforts in changing the narratives of oil and gas host communities for the better.

The monarch thanked the firm for its various initiatives aimed at bringing succour and awareness to host communities, calling on other oil and gas companies to emulate the template set by the PINL to give relief to communities within their catchment areas.

Also speaking, the duo of the Chairman of the State’s Chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Comrade David West, and the Secretary, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Central Zone, Comrade Azibator Efere, described the firm as having understood the yearnings and aspirations of peoples of its host communitues.

They, however, also charged the firm not to relent in its efforts to pay all outstanding stipends and remuneration owed benefitting stakeholders, saying the host communities and people on their own also owe a reciprocal relationship to the firm by keeping peace and tranquility in their domains.

Earlier in his opening remarks, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of the firm, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the attendance of stakeholders at the meeting reflects shared dedication to strengthening cooperation, sustaining peace, and advancing development across the host communities within the firm’s operational corridors.

He said the February stakeholders engagement was not held due to circumstances beyond the company’s control, saying, however, that the period allowed the PINL to consolidate on some important aspects of community empowerment programmes, including the disbursement of scholarship grants to beneficiaries of host communities.

Mezeh stressed that it is the belief of the firm that most of the beneficiaries have received their grants, calling on students who are yet to receive to visit an established help desk to address such concerns and ensure that no beneficiary is left behind.

“Distinguished stakeholders, your continued partnership with Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has remained a cornerstone of our operational success.

“Over the past years, our engagements have consistently demonstrated that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual trust remain the most effective tools for building sustainable relationships between private security companies (PSC) and host communities.

“At PINL, we hold firmly to one guiding principle – Community partnership is national security. When communities protect infrastructure, they protect livelihoods, national revenue, and the future of our country”, he said.

Speaking on national energy outlook and the future of Nigeria’s energy, the surveillance firm reiterated that the nation’s energy sector remains central to national development and economic stability.

It cited recent developments in the sector, which, he said, reflects renewed progress and growing opportunities for the country’s energy future.

“According to the latest operational report released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the national oil company recorded a profit after tax of N385 billion in January 2026, generating N2.571 trillion in revenue and remitting N726 billion to the Federation Account during the same period after 1.64 million barrels per day production.

“These figures demonstrate renewed operational efficiency and improved performance across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“This improvement was driven largely by the successful completion of maintenance operations at key onshore facilities.

“Nigeria also recorded encouraging progress in natural gas production, which increased to 7,283 million standard cubic feet per day, compared to 6,914 million standard cubic feet per day recorded in December 2025.

“Gas sales strengthened as well, reaching approximately 4,978 million standard cubic feet per day, reflecting improved supply to power plants, industrial consumers, and export markets”, he stated.

The company promised to sustain its advocacy for oil and gas riverine communities to also enjoy uninterrupted supply of petroleum products via provision of functional floating petrol and gas stations, reassuring that the federal government is aware of the challenges of the people as they continue to buy these products above the prevailing market price.

“Distinguished stakeholders, the progress recorded in recent months would not have been possible without your cooperation.

“Enhanced collaboration between host communities, security agencies, government institutions, and pipeline operators has significantly reduced incidents of crude oil theft and vandalism across our operational corridors.

“However, we’re currently faced with an unpleasant situation, and I must use this opportunity to sound a strong warning to all our contractors and surveillance teams.

“Recently, at Atali axis – Zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude. It was only through the effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that this operation was foiled, otherwise, those trucks would have successfully loaded.

“Preliminary findings point to a possible coordinated conspiracy. Let me be clear, once investigations are concluded, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice, and no one will be spared.

“Furthermore, in Bayelsa State, at Otukpoti axis, Zone 9, we recorded yet another case of sabotage arising from negligence on the part of our surveillance guards.

“This is unacceptable. Let this serve as a clear and firm warning to all contractors and operatives that any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated.

“Going forward, any contractor found wanting will not only lose their contract, but will also face full prosecution under the law.

“At the same time, we must continue to strengthen collaboration. The community intelligence systems have significantly enhanced information flow and improved response times”, he said.

On community-centered development initiatives, the PINL Manager said beyond infrastructure protection, the company’s job is fundamentally about people and community development.

He promised that the firm remains committed to promoting initiatives that improve the welfare of host communities and foster inclusive participation, including capacity building training for community-based contractors, prioritizing collaboration, noting that security was a shared responsibility

“We’ll have more Youth participation in pipeline protection activities, women-focused economic empowerment programmes, educational support, through scholarship schemes.

“Several interventions have been implemented, including, scholarship programmes for students, women empowerment initiatives, medical outreach programmes, distribution of humanitarian support and palliatives.

“We recognize that young people remain critical stakeholders in the future of our communities and for this reason, PINL is proposing a comprehensive Youth Skills Acquisition Programme in 2026 across our states of operations.

“We also acknowledge stakeholder feedback regarding the women empowerment programme, particularly the need for faster disbursement.

“So, we’re currently working closely with Premium Trust Bank, and payments will commence as soon as possible”, Mezeh reiterated.

On Environmental issues, the firm said environmental stewardship remains a central priority in its operations, saying that it understands the legitimate concerns of host communities regarding environmental protection and ecosystem preservation.

“Our operational framework continues to prioritize pipeline integrity management, rapid incident response systems, collaboration with regulatory agencies and host communities, promotion of safe operational practices, environmental awareness and sensitization programmes”, the PINL Manager added.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa