Rivers
18 Rights Groups Urge FG To Release #EndSARS Detainees
Eighteen human rights groups under the aegis of Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) have called on the Federal Government to effect the unconditional release of all detained #EndSARS protesters in various detentions across the country.
The group in a press conference organised in Port Harcourt, to commemorate one year anniversary of the October 20, 2020 protest at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos resulting in alleged killing of some protesters by soldiers, said it was important for the government to appease the Nigerian youths.
This is even as the group described Nigeria as “surveillance state judging from its misuse of digital laws, technologies and importation of sophisticated hacking tools to arbitrarily intercept communications of targeted civic actors, illegal monitoring of opposition voices, among others.
The rights groups called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the ongoing oppression on dissenting voices such as the media, rights activists, among others, whose constitutional right is to advocate for accountability from government.
“Government must release all #EndSARS protesters still unlawfully imprisoned for daring to challenge an oppressive status quo. Government must also lift the suspension on twitter in Nigeria and commit to opening up the space for citizens to participate in governance and engage in constructive dialogue”.
Speaking at the conference, the South-South Coordinator of the AGFCS, Mr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface said the Nigerian government must restore confidence in the victims of police brutality by fully implementing the recommendations for compensation submitted by all panels of inquiry set up by various states to look into the cruel activities of the disbanded Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS).
Fyneface wondered why the reports of the panels had been ignored while the victims of the police brutality continue to wriggle in pains of losing loved ones or those who sustained life-threatening injuries.
The coordinator of the group also called on the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to investigate the activities of members of the local vigilante group, ONELGA Security, Peace and Advisory Council (OSPAC).
He alleged that members of the group had deviated from their assigned responsibility to maiming, killing and extortion of innocent citizens, adding that failure to heed this call, the rights groups would stage a peaceful protest in the state.
“We call on the Rivers State Government and the local councils to investigate some members of the group as they have now deviated to killing and extorting money from innocent people. Failure to heed this complaint, we will not hesitate to storm the streets of Port Harcourt on a peaceful protest”, Fyneface said.
On her part, a member of Kebetkache Women Development Resource Centre, Patience Ekong stated that the #EndSARS protest didn’t yield any result, adding that none of the five-point agenda demanded by the youths had been implemented one year after.
She called on the Federal Government to give everyone a free space to ventilate their grievances, noting that shutting down means of communication such as twitter and the social media space was uncalled for.
On her part, the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana stated that the #EndSARS protest had not made any change.
According to her, last year’s protest, named after the social media hastag #EndSARS, was intended to end the atrocities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit, notorious for extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings, which later snowballed into wider protest against bad governance that led to the suspension of the unit and promised reforms, but regretted that there had been no change in police brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings a year after.
She also called for proper welfare package for the police in order to curb extortion excesses.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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