The Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike AmadiWorlu-Wodo, has called on the Federal Government to assign more constitutional responsibilities to traditional rulers to enable them contribute more effectively to governance and grassroots development.
Eze Wodo, who made the call as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers (RSCTR), during the combined quarterly general meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, said traditional rulers remained closer to the people than other arms of government, stressing that their involvement was essential to achieving sustainable development at the grassroots.
“We are closer to the people than any other arm of government. No development can be sustained without us”, he said.
The royal father also appealed to the government to improve the welfare of traditional rulers by providing a better working environment and reviewing their stipends in line with prevailing economic realities.
While commending the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for promoting peace and good governance in Rivers State, Eze Wodo urged the Governor to fulfil his promises to council members, particularly in mobility and logistics.
Declaring the meeting open, Fubara charged traditional rulers across the state to take the lead in promoting peace and unity as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The Governor cautioned royal fathers against allowing political differences to create divisions or threaten the peace in their respective communities.
He stressed that their conduct during the political season would be crucial to maintaining stability across the state.
“As we are entering into this political season, actively ensure that your conduct maintains peace in your place. Your action should not be what will lead to the division and multiple crises that we cannot manage as a government”, he said.
Fubara further urged traditional rulers to uphold justice and fairness in their domains, noting that these values were essential to peaceful communities and sustainable development.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to he people.

the traditional institution, the governor described royal fathers as custodians of the state’s cultural heritage and community leaders who maintained close relationships with the people.
He expressed appreciation for their prayers and contributions to peace and development, assuring them that his administration would continue to respect the institution and give due attention to their welfare.
Addressing concerns over statutory benefits due to traditional rulers from local government councils, Fubara explained that such matters were guided by established procedures.
He, however, assured the royal fathers that he would address issues within his authority and communicate further decisions through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

By: Kevin Nengia

Suspected gunmen, allegedly posing as security operatives, have invaded the residence of Mr Lawrence Chukwu, son of the late Paramount Ruler of Ogbakiri, Chief Jackson Ekenta Chukwu, in Port Harcourt, in what relatives describe as another disturbing episode in decades-long succession dispute.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of October 10, 2026, when four men travelling in a Toyota Hilux allegedly arrived at the premises and demanded to see Lawrence Chukwu.
According to accounts provided by eyewitnesses and a relative of the family, the armed men stormed the compound in search of the late traditional ruler’s son, whose family ties to the Ogbakiri traditional stool were said to have placed him at the centre of a protracted struggle over succession.
The gunmen reportedly left the premises after firing shots into the air, creating panic and raising fresh concerns about the safety of the occupants and the whereabouts of the man they had come to see.

Sources close to the family said the armed men allegedly threatened to continue searching for Lawrence, a development they described as particularly alarming against the backdrop of previous incidents involving the family.
The invasion has renewed concerns over the lingering traditional leadership dispute in Ogbakiri, where competing claims to the community’s paramount stool have reportedly generated tension and prolonged hostility among rival interests.
Chief Jackson Ekenta Chukwu, the late Paramount Ruler of Ogbakiri, was gruesomely murdered, according to the account provided by sources familiar with the family’s history.
His death was linked by the sources to the controversy surrounding traditional leadership and competing succession claims in the community.
The sources further alleged that Lawrence Chukwu had faced repeated assassination attempts over the years because of his perceived position in the line of succession to the traditional stool.
They claimed that the struggle had persisted for more than two decades, alleging that influential individuals opposed to the family’s succession claims had continued to target the late monarch’s son.
Although the allegations could not be independently established at the time of filing this report, the latest incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of measures to protect individuals reportedly caught in protracted traditional leadership disputes.
When contacted for clarification, the police declined to comment on the incident. No official account of the reported invasion, the identity of the armed men or any investigation into the allegations was available at the time of filing this report.
The family and other concerned persons are expected to seek clarification from the relevant security authorities over the identity and mission of the men involved, while calling for an impartial investigation into the incident and adequate protection for Lawrence Chukwu.

Over 30,000 youths and Women from The Niger Delta region of Nigeria have been trained and empowered through the FGN/IFAD/NDDC sponsored Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (Life – ND) programme within the past six years.
This was disclosed at the just-concluded orientation ceremony for the 4th batch incubatees and incubators of the Life-ND programme in Port Harcourt.
The Life -ND programme is jointly sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Speaking at the programme, the Director, Agriculture and Fisheries, NDDC, Tonye Frank, said the NDDC thought it wise to support the programme because of its impact on the Niger Delta region.its impact on the Niger Delta region.
Frank, who represented the managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the programme has far-reaching impact on the region, especially in youth and women empowerment.
“The vision of the Life -ND is very important and it’s about empowering the youths in the Communities through agricultural, grassroots development and providing incomes to the Niger Delta youths. The NDDC thought it wise to partner with them”, he said.
He advised both the incubatees and incubators to make the best use of the opportunity by putting what they have been taught into practice.
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of Life-ND, project, Mr. Loveday Itatat, said the participants were selected by the Rivers State Government from 20 communities in five Local Government Areas for the programme.
“For today, we are taking five LGAs having 20 communities for the 4th batch, but on the whole we have 10 LGAS selected by the state government to undertake the production, processing, marketing of cassava and plantain”, he explained.
Itatat said the beneficiaries are also involved in artesenal fishing, poultry production marketing and processing.
According to him, the programme has created a total of 1858 incubatees fully trained and established, adding that the programme has rejuvenated the rural economies as rural economies are gradually being transformed, while thousands of employment are being generated.
“Consequently since the commencement of full scale field implementation of the Life-ND project in Rivers state in September 2024, the project has continued to make meaningful progress.
“The project has recorded a total of 1,858 incubatees and 124 incubators across the ten selected Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
“These achievements reflect the commitment of the project and stakeholders to developing agribusiness capacity and expanding livelihood opportunities in Rivers state”, he said.
Speaking with newsmen, the knowledge management and communication coordinator for Livelihood improvement Family Enterprises -Niger Delta, Dr. JerusUvieghara, said over 30,000 youths and Women from the Niger Delta have been empowered through the programme within the past six years of its inception.
Dr. Uvieghara said the programme is meant to empower youths and women in the region through an incubation model, by identifying youths that have interest in agriculture.

By; John Bibor, Adono Gift, Oke Inhale & Udeme Bright