Rivers

Group Wants Ekpeye People To Pursue Common Goal

Published

4 years ago

September 22, 2021

A group under the aegis of Ekpeye Oil and Gas (EOG) has marked its 2nd anniversary amid pomp and pageantry, in Ahoada in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The ceremony was attended by sons, daughters and well-meaning individuals all over Ekpeye land.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Chairman of Ekpeye Oil and Gas, Comrade Chidi Dogini stated among other things that the association cut across oil, gas and pipeline host communities in Ekpeyeland, which major objectives include emancipation and liberation of Ekpeye from oil politics of multinational companies. According to him, since EOG’s registration on 19th September, 2019, the struggle has been tough.
Comrade Dogini enjoined the people to pursue a common goal of redeeming Ekpeye ethnic nation from shackles of long suffering, negligence and deprivation from oil companies operating across the length and breadth of Ekpeyeland tended to balkanise the people. He stressed that the ugly trend spurred some individuals who have the collective interest of Ekpeye at heart to pull resources together without minding the price to be paid in order to create such a formidable body in Ekpeye kingdom.
The national chairman said, when they came on board, many perceived them not only as child’s play, but with inordinate ambition to usurp power for personal aggrandisement. According to him, reckoning from the association’s glaring antecedents and genuine intensions the narrative was changed.
He promised that Ekpeyeland would witness economic fortunes in the nearby future if all hands would be on deck.
“As long as the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria are concerned, as long as the petroleum industry act (PIA) is concerned, I will fight the oil companies that will not listen to the body,” Dogini said.
“In the midst of surplus, Ekpeye man has no Job; in the midst of surplus, Ekpeye man was treated with levity, and they armed our youths with matchets and guns to fight ourselves, while they make merry with our oil money,” he lamented.
“They say, ‘an injury to one is an injury to all. I call on all Ekpeye sons and daughters to join in this struggle to liberate Ekpeye,” Dogini said.
The highly elated chairman pointed out ten achievements which the association has recorded over the years which include successful demonstration against Morpol Engineering Ltd and Shell Petroleum Development Company by host communities; acceptance by Agip of ownership of pipeline along with NLNG pipeline right of way; public relation projects in NLNG host communities among others.
The chairman also hinted that upcoming events would comprise remediation of Ekpeyeland and water; general security summit; special training scheme on oil and gas for critical stakeholders in Ekpeyeland and others.
Earlier in his opening speech, EOG’s public relations officer, Comrade Austin Ijeoma reiterated the mission and vision of EOG; noting that they have not derailed in their functions. He thanked God for endowing Ekpeye with oil and gas.
The P.R.O remarked further among other things that the power of the association was vested on the villages. According to him, EOG could excel if members take the association seriously by responding to calls as well as informing the body on the happenings around them.
High points of the occasion include induction of Ogbele community youth executives; presentation of EOG progress report; refreshment among others.
However, in a vote of thanks, Mr Johnbull Agbedu, Akoh clan branch chairman of EOG thanked the attendees for being part of the colourful celebration. He also reminded the participants to send the message to their respective communities.

By: Emenike Agimo

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.

Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.

She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.

“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.

Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).

Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.

The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.

According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.

The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.

It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.

The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.

It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.

Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.

It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.

While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.

The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.

He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.