Rivers
Philanthropist Tasks Orashi Region On NiMet Warnings
Humanitarian award winner, Prince Kelvin Umejuru, has charged residents in the flood-prone Orashi region, comprising Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of the State, not to ignore the recent warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that the region was among other parts of the country at the risk of experiencing high probability of flood due to ongoing rainfalls and increased global warming.
The youthful philanthropist, who gave the charge in an interview with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport at the weekend, lamented that the debilitating flooding of 2012 and 2019 in Orashi region and other parts of the state, were still fresh in mind, adding that a repeat would have disastrous consequences.
The Managing Director of EN Global Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt who recently bagged the prestigious Golden Heart Award from Smart News Network (SNN), regretted that flooding incidents were manifesting just as predicted by the NiMet and NIHSA because people failed to heed the warnings issued by the Agency before the onset of flooding season in the country.
Prince Umejuru said the situation called for collaborative efforts by residents across the Orashi region to ensure that they are not caught up by the impending flood disaster while also advising that their gutters and other water channels should be regularly cleared of wastes.
He said the warning became necessary as residents often times fail to adhere to environmental rules by not throwing garbage into the gutters and other waterways, as these would impede the free flow of water.
“The flood disaster which devastated several parts of the State in 2012 and years after, is still very fresh in mind and should serve as a wakeup call for all residents in the Orashi region to take appropriate steps to avoid a repeat”, Prince Umejuru advised.
The youthful philanthropist further enjoined Orashi people to see themselves as partners in the crusade for a clean and healthy Rivers State, urging them to play pivotal role by ensuring the implementation of government’s policies and programmes.
He appealed to them to make it a routine exercise to constantly clear the rivers of water hyacinths, also known to be hampering the free flow of waters in the coast lines.
Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
