Featured
Happy Survival, The Tide @50 …Happy Birthday To The Icon Of Public Spirited Credible Media Enterprise
On December 4, 2021, The Tide (formerly The Nigerian Tide) newspaper stable, published by the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), clocked 50 years of existence having been established on December 1, 1971 by the administration of then Lt. Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff. Incidentally, Diete-Spiff was the first ever governor of Rivers State. This remarkable feat in longevity for a government-owned newspaper stable, stands the establishment out as one of the landmark facilities that capture the resilience of the Rivers people in the face of all odds.
A life span of 50years for any human organisation or system, is hardly a casual affair given that most human systems, fail to reach that mark for the simple reason that the dynamics of human group activity, do not always conduce to empirically determined imperatives, which flow with mathematically determined precision. Hence, for the RSNC, the occasion calls for celebration, and commendation to all actors who served in various capacities, namely; reporters, editors, marketers, administrators, accountants, security personnel, contributors, columnists, and others too numerous to mention; whether currently serving or disengaged, who have had the privilege to contribute to the success and longevity of this icon of superlative media enterprise. Many similar government-owned media establishments have come and gone, leaving it to stand kampe, and grow from strength to strength. Indeed, if The Tide were to be personified, it will easily qualify as the last man standing, having survived all odds over the years where most of its contemporaries crashed.
Remarkably, in these 50years, the newspaper stable has served all the 15 administrations that had the grace to oversee the affairs of the Rivers State, since its creation on May 27, 1967. The roll call of the 15 military and civilian governors of the state comprises in chronological order as follows:
Hence, The Tide has served meritoriously the state and the country from the military era to the current democratic dispensation, even with the often dramatic swings with respect to the rotation of power between these two systems.
Not only did The Tide feature in the political sphere, it also served as the chronicler of the good, bad and ugly times of the Nigerian society in as many other spheres as possible, thereby providing the thread that connects the past and present and charts the future. It therefore renders itself to be the destination for whosoever is needy of insights into the past of the world, seen from this corner of the globe.
In these 50 years, The Tide has built a credible heritage of literary endowments through promotion of the arts, literacy, and civic consciousness. This is just as it has served as the fulcrum of credible journalism in this region.
With such a rich pedigree, the future for this establishment cannot but be rosy, even as such a dispensation cannot be without the proper enablement to keep it flowing with fulfilment for its operatives and patrons. Most significant in this context is that the global operating terrain for the media has transformed dramatically, with the pervasive onslaught of advances in information technology, and the invasion of the ubiquitous social media.Given the trending state of affairs in the global media industry, the present crop of operatives driving The Tide need to be commended for running ahead so far, even with the burden of unmistakable constraints.
Needless therefore to note that for The Tide to maintain the keel it had established at the top of the competition, the establishment needs retooling, as well as repackaging of its work force. After all, is it not a common cliché in Nigeria that ‘you do not clean a child’s teeth with ordinary fingers’.
Once again, this is saying congratulations to The Tide , as you flow more steadily into the future.
By: Monima Daminabo
Daminabo is former Editor-in -Chief of The Tide, (June 2000- August 2003).
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
Featured
RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
?
?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
?
?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
?
?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
?
?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
?
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.