Rivers

Union Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Confers Awards

Published

4 years ago

December 17, 2021

About 10 cooperative societies, under the umbrella of Ekpeye United Cooperative Union thronged the premises of Green River Project (GRP) Extension Office, Ukpeliede in Ahoada-West Local Government Area, to mark the 10th anniversary of their conglomerate.
The occasion was also used to honour three stakeholders.
The Tide reports that GRP is a department of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, concerned with the promotion of agriculture in its host communities.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Victor Akwujuru of the Rivers State University, noted that the occasion warranted the jubilation that coloured the atmosphere.
He said that it was heart lifting to see cooperative societies cropping up in a rural area, to tackle food insecurity and joblessness.
Prof. Akwujuru, who doubles as an estate mamgerment expert and renowned farmer, expressed hope that the existing cooperative societies would sustain the tempo of their hard works while new ones emerge to join them.
The chairman charged the respective cooperative societies to look at the long term, rather than the short term benefits of their works.
In his address, the president of Ekpeye United Cooperative Union, Mr Ihuowo. Alabo Monday said. “Operating as a group of this nature has not been very easy in the Ekpeye communities’ environment.
I therefore extend my kudos to members, for refusing to live by stereotyped environmental bondage and forging ahead to build an enviable cooperative organisation. Our vows mean as much today as they did more than a decade ago’’.
The president thanked the GRP for their support and encouragement to the union, through capacity building, timely provision of farm inputs, building and commissioning of agricultural infrastructure, providing access to micro credit and financial assistance through awards as well as provision of extension officers, including, Mr Iyke Moses, Mr Felix Ogbonna and Chief Charlie Samuel.
Ihuowo, post humously recognised the contributions of the founding members of the union, namely, the former secretary and treasurer, Late Chief Amanukpo Robinson and Late Deacon Gibson Echikwa, respectively.
He noted that the union had recorded a number of success stories and in this context, a dividend of N10,000 each was presented to all the cooperative groups in good financial standing.
The president, who is also an accountant, announced the union’s target to establish a revolving loan of N1million annually for farmers or groups at an interest rate of less than 10 per cent.
He appealed to the management of GRP to avail the union the opportunity to participate in and nominate youths for skills acquisition programmes, as well as revival of the micro-credit scheme to individual cooperative societies.
Ihuowo called on secondary school authorities in the LGA to participate in GRP programmes as obtained in other zones and states of Nigeria.
While the beneficiaries of dividends included, Umanunye Cooperative Society (Ukpeliede), Young Farmers Cooperative Society (Akala-Olu), Uzodhu Cooperative Society (Idu-Ekpeye), Obuma cooperative Society (Enito 1), Ogoda-Ahoada Women Cooperative Society (Ogoda), the individual awardees were; Dr Joyce Ordinioha, Dr Okezie Ebiriker and Mr Ihuowo Alabo in appreciation of their invaluable services to the union.
Dr Ordinioha, who spoke on behalf of the awardees said, they would be spurred to render more services to the union and the public at large.

By: Agimo Benson

Rivers

Eld Ogbu Bags Adventists Men Award…Pledge For Humanitarian Service

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.

Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.

Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.

Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.

Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.

In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more

He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.

Rivers

Rivers Landlords Petitions IG Over Alleged Move to Demolish Their Estate

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.

The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.

Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.

Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.

Rivers

NLNG, NCDMB Launch ICT Hub To Boost Tech Skills In Nigeria

Published

1 week ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.