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Rivers

Obuah Tasks Professionals On Campaign For Cleaner State

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4 years ago

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The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has called on professionals in all strata of society, to join the ongoing campaign against indiscriminate disposal of wastes, as well as comply with the dumping hours of 6pm to 12 midnight, to achieve a cleaner state.
Bro. Obuah who made the appeal while receiving an award as ‘Business Administrator of the Year’ last Thursday in Port Harcourt, said the task before the professionals and all those residing and doing business in the state, was not only to sustain the current clean state of Rivers, but to return it to its famous status as the Garden City of Nigeria.
He charged members of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (IBAKM) who bestowed the prestigious award on him, to join hands with the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike to do the needful and build a greater state that would be celebrated by posterity.
“How do we do this? I think one way of achieving this is by keeping our environment clean and safe all the time.
We cannot achieve this if we allow the roads and streets to be littered with garbage.
We must fight against indiscriminate dumping of wastes in and around our environment. We must ensure that wastes are not disposed outside of the approved dumping hours of 6 pm to 12 midnight”, Bro. Obuah said.
The RIWAMA boss, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, recalled the sad spectacle of a former Permanent Secretary in the state who was recently arrested by the Agency’s Monitoring Team for littering the road with large quantity of refuse.
“As professional business administrators and knowledge managers, you form the elite and senior citizen’s class, and the society is looking up to you for good examples. I urge you to use your platforms and vigorously campaign for restoration of the Garden City status of our dear state”, Bro. Obuah said.
The RIWAMA Sole Administrator expressed reservation over recent incidents of dumping of new-born babies on the median of roads and described the act as the height of cruelty.
Vowing that the Agency would not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the laws against any culprit caught in the act, Bro. Obuah further appealed to IBAKM to become an Ambassador of RIWAMA and promote clean and safe habits among the citizenry.
In his opening speech, Chairman of the occasion and Hon. Commissioner for Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim commended the Institute for the three-pronged activities namely membership investiture, induction and certification/inauguration of the South South branch of the Association of Business Administration and Knowledge Management Professionals.
Represented by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Sensitization in the Ministry, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, the commissioner said the timing of the event was apt while also commended the organizers for making Port Harcourt, the host city.
“The array of inductees shows that the Institute is hitting the right target in the quest to develop the knowledge economy. I urge all inductees to make use of this opportunity to ensure that the knowledge economy is expanded”, he said.
Pastor Nsirim revealed the conscious revolution by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration to build the knowledge industry in the state, pointing at the wonderful attention being given to improve all tertiary institutions in the state.
The Commissioner also charged the professionals as well as members of the public to key into the ongoing advocacy to change the ugly narrative that was painted about the state, stating that Rivers State belongs to all, and that whatever affects the state, affects everyone living and doing business in it.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President and Chairman, Advisory Council of IBAKM, Dr. Gangadhar Joshi outlined the objectives as well as mission and vision of the Institute, assuring that the decision by the inductees to become members was, in his words, “one of the best career development choices you have ever made in life”.
“The Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management is a unique and an innovative global professional body duly licensed and statutorily empowered for advancement of business administration and knowledge management profession in Nigeria and the global community”, he said.

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Niger Delta

OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

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2 hours ago

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June 27, 2025

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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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Rivers

FIDA, PCRC Train Police On Paralegal Cases

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4 hours ago

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June 27, 2025

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The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has held a  one-day capacity building workshop on paralegal exposure aimed at equipping police officers across Rivers State on ways of handling gender-based violence cases in the society.
The one-day capacity training, organised by the two humanitarian organisations in the state, is designed to boost the knowledge and capacity of the police echelons in the state in handling gender-based violence cases.
Speaking at the event, held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, emphasized the importance of capacity building for Police Officers, stressing the need for continuous training and development for the officers to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in law enforcement.
Adepoju noted the police have been having lectures like this from time to time as directed by the Inspector General of Poliice, and urge the police officers to turn out in their numbers in order to gain from the training.
“There is nothing as good as building our capacity to ensure we deliver service to mankind and let Rivers be a difference to others.
“We have people who have the capacity that can deliver and they are here with us, and we will not hesitate to ensure we employ and use them. Whatever we have learnt here, jot it down and ensure you use it judiciously”, the VP urged.
Also speaking, the  Chairperson of FIDA Rivers State, Life Jim-George, stressed that the paralegal training offers the opportunity for retired Police officers, desk officers, and different divisions in charge of gender-based crime to assemble to educate and be educated on how to handle gender violence, the abused public, and how to deal with reporters of all kinds of Gender-Based Violence.
She said, “They need to be empathetic, they need not to judge them as they move into them. They need not to throw them away immediately, or to make the atmosphere very toxic, a situation whoch will make them go away, or be exposed to extortion, which will make them feel that Police is your friend is only in the book.
“We remind you all that you are not just Police officers, here is a duty imposed on you to look at the laws. Not just to drive people away because we have reports where once you approach a Police station and say my husband or wife beat me up, they drive you away, saying this one is husband and wife matter, go and settle with your husband or wife.They began to judge you.
“We are saying no, that is not what the law is. Please show empathy. If you throw them away like that, most of them can take their life. Some go into third degree depression and it becomes difficult to  bring them out. They will now began to blame themselves for going to the Police station.”
In his speech, the Chairman of PCRC in the State, Mr. Voke Emore, explained that one  primary responsibility of the PCRC is to bring the community closer to the Police, while FIDA, as an international organization, cares for the less privilege and  handle cases involving women and children.
“The police only protect women and children in talking of gender abuse in the society, rather than taking the issue of gender violence as wholistic that includes men, women and children in every strata of the society.
“So, that is why the two humanitarian organisations, FIDA and PCRC, decided to partner to ensure that the things are done rightly in line with global practices.
“And the only way to do that is to provide training. We always talk about training and re-training of Police officers”, the PCRC boss stated.
The training focused on key areas such as “The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Rivers State”, “Dehumanizing and Harmful Traditional Practices Laws”, “Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Rights to Share in Family Property Law”, and “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.”
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers

Obalga SOLAD Presents Fire Extinguishers To Council  …. Commiserates With traders over  Rumuomasi Market Fire

Published

4 hours ago

on

June 27, 2025

By

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter, has presented 150  brand new fire extinguishers to the Council.
Dr. Walter, who spoke to newsmen at the Council’s premises at Rumuodumanya, said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforseen fire incidences.
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.
he also commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Walter, who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by fire, described it as unfortunate.
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, he 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, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest that 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 fire can be ignited, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritize 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 stated.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied the LGA boss 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, Sir Walter  has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with the view to identifying and removing all blockages, including illegal structures hindering the free flow of water in the area.
A statement from Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorized barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr. Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endangered 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 effectively functional.
He also warned against further dumping of wastes in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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