Rivers
Mariner Dedicates Maiden Sail To Monarch’s Anniversary
Bonny Kingdom’s ferry line, Asimini Line has dedicated the success of its maiden sail to the commemoration of the silver jubilee anniversary of the coronation of the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, Dr Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III.
Director General of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Mrs. Constance Nwokejiobi, who disclosed this, said “there is no better gift to confer on the Amanyanabo at a time like this, given that this was his vision, and today it has become reality”.
The Tide learnt that about 48 passengers were delivered in the maiden sail which had a morning and afternoon trip, which took off from NIWA jetty at Marine Base, Port Harcourt and arrived at the Coal Beach, Bonny.
Mrs. Nwokejiobi said as an expression of gratitude to the early birds, passengers on the first sail enjoyed a rebate of about 17 percent with refunds made to them after their bookings were confirmed, noting that “those first set of passengers made the success of our first sail a reality and we needed to say ‘Thank you’ to them”.
“We shall extend same privilege to those who make their bookings for Monday through Wednesday, and that is those who pay. If you make a reservation and your payment is not made you won’t benefit from this and if you change your mind and ask for a refund, you also lose the privilege. It is strictly for our passengers, those who pay.”
The BOCCIMA DG explained that the take-off of Asimini Line was an actualization of the BOCCIMA vision of ‘Bonny Beyond Oil’, as the ferry line will create employment opportunities, open up development opportunities for investors to latch on to and expand the Tourism potentials of Bonny Kingdom.
She pointed out that it also created a partnership opportunity for relevant public sector institutions such as the security agencies, informing that Asimini Line, a brainchild of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, is a deliverable from a collaboration between Sealink Consortium, Nigerian Export and Import (NEXIM) Bank, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and facilitated by BOCCIMA.
The ferry line, which began sailing Monday with a 12 seater cruise boat with fortified security will soon add a 100 seater cruise boat and later integrate about six other big and small boats to accommodate the growing number of passengers in the run-up to the commencement of the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project.
Rivers
RVHA Elects Leader, Other Principal Officers …Speaker Assures Staff Of Better Welfare

The Rivers State House of Assembly has elected the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edison Ehie, as the Leader of the 10th Assembly.
Also elected along with him are Linda Somiari Stewart of Okrika Constituency (Deputy Leader), while Major Jack of Akuku-Toru Constituency 1 (Chief Whip), and Ofiks Kagbang Christopher of Andoni Constituency, who is the new Deputy Whip.
The election of principal officers of the House followed a call for nomination by the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Wednesday, on the floor of the House.
Ehie was nominated by the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, Lolo Isaiah, and was seconded by Hon. Azeru Opara of PHALGA Constituency 3, while Edison Ehie of Ahoada East Constituency 2 nominated Linda Somiari Stewart to serve as Deputy Leader, and was seconded by Dunebari Lolo of Khana Constituency 1.
For the position of the Chief Whip, Enemi Alabo George of Asari-Toru Constituency 1 made the nomination and was seconded by Linda Stewart, while Ofiks Kagbang Christopher was nominated by Azeru Opara and Lolo Isaiah.
Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, at the end of the election congratulated the elected members while urging them to work in harmony for a proper representation of the people.
The leader of the House, Hon. Ehie moved the motion for the adoption of the standing order of the 9th Assembly. The motion was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Stewart, and the House subsequently adopted the standing order for the 10th Assembly.
Earlier, the Speaker had informed the legislators that the Head of Estate and Works will allocate offices and Houses to members.
He urged the legislators to cooperate with one another for peaceful deliberation in the House, before the House adjoured its sitting to 19th of June.
Meanwhile, the new Speaker has assured that the welfare of staff would be paramount during his tenure as Speaker.
He gave the assurance when he met with staff of the Assembly.
Amaewhule also assured of his determination and commitment to make things better, move the Assembly to an enviable height, while soliciting for the support of the staff.
He assured regularly meeting with the union leaders with a view to being abreast of their challenges, but cautioned against truancy and urged them to sit up.
On her part, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Staff association of Nigeria in Rivers State, Comfort Otuene, assured of the support of the staff to the tenure of the Speaker and wished him well.
By: Ike Wigodo
Rivers
Former Info Commissioner Is New Obonoma King
Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has been crowned as the new Onu Onyan Ekein/Amanyanabo of Obonoma Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
By the ceremony, King Dateme is now Obonogina ix of Obonoma Kingdom.
While placing the crown on the head of King Dateme at the Obonoma Community Square, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt Rev Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja pronounced blessings on the new monarch.
“We annoint your head. We annoint your chest. The service and dedication of this crown to God, that as Solomon was annointed, may you be annointed”, he said.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Obonoma, Venerable Isobeye Amabibi, also called on the new monarch to rule with the fear of God.
He urged him to embark on a unification campaign in the community.
In an interview with newsmen, Amabibi called on the new King to promote love and bring everybody together in unity and oneness.
Meanwhile, the Obonogina ix, King Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has unveiled his vision for the kingdom.
Speaking shortly after his coronation, he said he would work towards the development of the Obonoma mainland and its satellite communities.
According to the King, the Kingdom, which has vast land, has great potentials for development.
He said the community has dedicated itself to God, adding that by this feat, the ancient rituals of libations is gone for good.
He also announced that a day will be set aside annually for the rememberance of the founding fathers of the Kingdom.
Deteme warned mischief makers to keep off, adding that no one will be allowed to destroy the Kingdom because of selfish interest.
He commended former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for not only recognizing the Obonoma chieftaincy stool, but classified it as second class and presented a staff of office to him.
Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Kalabari Kingdom have hailed the choice of King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme as the king of Obonoma.
Speaking with newsmen, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, His Majesty King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, said the community has made the right choice by coronating King Dateme as the Amanyanabo of the community.
He also advised him to promote peace and love among his people.
Also speaking the Amanyanabo of Minama and Chairman, Asari Toru council of governments recognize traditional rulers, HRH King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said Dateme was the right person to lead the community at this point in time.
King Pokubo also called on the new monarch to unite the people, while also calling on the people to rally round their king to enable him succeed.
The ceremony was attended by monarchs from the various Kalabari Kingdoms and Communities as well as Government officials.
It would be recalled that king Dateme was selected by the Queen Bo Royal family of Obonoma to ascend the throne of Obonoma Community in June 2020.
The ascension followed a long period of interregnum occasioned by the death of the Obonogina Viii in 1987.
He was a Second Class traditional ruler and member of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
Royal Father Hails Fubara On Nwaeke’s Appointment
As reactions continue to trial the recent key appointments so far made by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Fubara, a Royal Father in the state, Eze Silvanus Ogbueri, has applauded the choice of Dr George Nwaeke as the Head of Service.
Ogbueri, the Onwanagbara Oha 1 of Etche Ethnic Nationality, who spoke on the sideline of the swearing-in ceremony of the new members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in Port Harcourt, noted that the appointment of Nwaeke would invigorate the state Civil Service for a more effective service delivery.
He explained that as one who passed through the various strata in the service, Nwaeke would bring his wealth of experience to bear to spur a more productive workforce.
“Dr Nwaeke passed through the rudiments, having worked in several levels and handled critical state assignments excellently, he understands better the functions of a head of service.
“Those who have worked closely with him know for one thing, he is a man who has the milk of kindness flowing in him. So, I am confident that he would lead a more effective, more productive and peaceful workforce”, he said.
He enjoined the state civil servants to always put in their best and cooperate with the government in the interest of the state, stressing that it is when workers understand their critical position in the working of government and the government understands the feelings, especially the welfare of workers, that the state enjoys more productive and peaceful service delivery.
Commenting on quality of representation that the people of Omuma expect from those elected to represent the area at the legislative arm of government, Eze Ogbueri expressed confidence in the elected representative of Etche/Omuma.
Federal Constituency, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Hon Sylvanus Nwankwo in the Rivers State House of Assembly to live up to expectations.
According to him, “Hon Kelechi Nwogu, having represented Omuma people creditably well, for the number of years he had been at the State House of Assembly, obviously he won’t find the floor of the Green Chambers as a strange place.
“Sylvanus Nwankwo, being a successful lawyer and a two-time Commissioner in the state, obviously would give Omuma people quality representation.
“So, based on their experience, I have explicit confidence in these stars to give Omuma people the expected quality representation”, he stated.
By: Anekwe Chimamaka
-
News3 days ago
Health Workers Heed Tinubu’s Plea, Call Off Strike
-
Nation1 day ago
Nigeria, Committed To Democratic State Development – Official
-
Sports1 day ago
Super Six: Remo Stars, Insurance’s Hope Fades
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
MOSIEND Lauds Asari Dukobo Over Minority Rights Advocacy
-
Crime/Justice3 days ago
EFCC Inaugurates 49 Integrity Ambassadors
-
Politics1 day ago
Senate Shifts Valedictory Session As Tinubu Meets With NASS Members-Elect
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Govt Sets Up Reconciliation Committee On Odioma Communal Crisis
-
News1 day ago
Tinubu Signs Bill Unifying Retirement Age For Judicial Officers