Rivers
Commissioner Advises Investors To Leverage On Investment Opportunities
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Tonye Briggs Oniyide, has called on those in hospitality business to rethink and chart a roadmap for restarting the tourism industry toward a more effective resumption, recovery and resilience.
The commissioner made the call in her address to mark the World Tourism Day in Port Harcourt.
The World Tourism Day is celebrated on the 27th of September. The theme of this year’s celebration was: “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Monday Yeiimonah, reiterated that as countries gradually lift restrictions especially on travels and businesses, and tourism slowly restarts in many parts of the world, health concerns must continue to be top priority in the operations
She added that there was need to expand the frontiers of tourism investment beyond the traditional areas; harnessing and leveraging on the vast potentials and opportunities in the State.
She commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for the support in the sector.
“Let me reiterate that as countries gradually lift restrictions especially on travels and businesses, and tourism slowly restarts in many parts of the world, health concerns must continue to be top priority in your operations. I urge you to put in place adequate and comprehensive health protocols to protect workers, communities and guests in compliance to State regulations on Covid-19.
“The administration of His Excellency, Chief(Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, considers very seriously the health and safety of all Rivers people and will not condone any act of negligence that could jeopardise the lives of the people.
“Furthermore, inclusive growth reflected in the theme, highlights the needs to expand the frontiers of tourism investment beyond the traditional areas; harnessing and leveraging on the vast potentials and opportunities in the State; bridging service gaps; exploiting new opportunities across vast tourism value-chains in eco-tourism, cultural festivals, wildlife, marine, indigenous cuisines, local fabrics, arts, parks and monuments, and landmark historical events; these should all be developed across communities in the State.
“Experiences in about the past 18 months of the pandemic, clearly show that active private sector participation is crucial to the survival, speedy recovery and resilience of the sector. I call on all investors in the sector to be more resourceful, innovative and to collaborate and leverage on every available opportunity to promote investments and speedy recovery of the sector. There is also the overriding need to digitalise the tourism economy to launch out into the global hub or endless possibility.
She appealed to the good people of the State to continue to project the traditional peace and hospitality for which the State and its people were known.
“Rivers state is known for its wide accommodation, friendliness, peace, traditional hospitality and mutual co-existence with its guests and neighbours. It is as well that there has not been any reported incident of unmanaged violence in the State as are often reported in some parts of the country.
“From the vast agricultural land resources of the upland region, to the roaring oceans, wetlands, and wildlife of the riverine; from the landmark bravery of our ancestors, to the rich cultural diversities of its people; from the rich oil and gas reserves across the length and breadth of the State, to the alluring beauties of the flora and fauna in their natural environment; these together sing of the glorious and endless opportunities and promising prosperity of Rivers native country home.
“Rivers State beckons on all sons and daughters, development partners, the business community, friends and well wishers to come and invest in the abundant natural and human resource endowments in the State.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, Yibo Koko, said the board focused on effectively engaging, empowering and creating people-centric community development tourism programs to secure cultural centric social investment activities that hinged on improving on overall well-being of stakeholders.
“In Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, we believe that Tourism is a driver of sustainable development and tourism increases economic growth, quality of life, environmental protection, preservation of culture and heritage.
“Therefore, we are focused on effectively engaging, empowering and creating people-centric community development tourism programmes to secure culture-centric social investment activities that are hinged on improving the overall well-being of stakeholders and members of our communities with the provision of sustainable, smart and socially inclusive programmes”.
He said the agency was responsible for promoting and improving sustainable tourism development in the state and was tasked by the state government to innovate, engineer and administer its emerging local, national and international tourism interests.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact on the global economy, both developed and developing economies have been hit. The world tourism organisation postulates that the restart of tourism will help kick start economic recovery and growth, stating that domestic tourism will return before international tourism.
“UNWTO has therefore designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on tourism for inclusive growth. This is an opportunity to look beyond tourism statistics and acknowledge that, behind every number, there is a person”.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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