Rivers

Rivers NUJ Elects New Officers

Published

4 years ago

January 21, 2022

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has elected a new set of officers that will steer the affairs of the union for the next three years.
In a keenly contested election witnessed by over 300 members of the union, Comrade Stanley Job Stanley of the Radio Rivers Chapel defeated his main contender and former vice chairman, Paul Bazia of the Rivers State Information Chapel. Stanley clinched 150 votes against his opponent’s 140 votes to emerge as the chairman of the council for the second term.
Okechukwu Maru of the State Information Chapel emerged the Vice Chairman with 145 votes against 140 votes scored by his opponent, Ibim Watson Asako of the Radio Rivers Chapel, while Ike Wigodo of The Tide Chapel was returned as the secretary for the second term having scored 169 votes to beat his main challenger, Obiandu Madume of the Rivers State Television (RSTV) Chapel to a distant second. Madume scored 119 votes.
The election also threw up three female officers including Mrs Doris Morrison of RSTV Chapel as Treasurer, Mrs Esther Obialor of the Treasure FM as Assistant Secretary and Mrs Ominini Leslie-Wokoma of the Rivers State Information Chapel as Auditor.
Mrs Morrison scored 152 votes to defeat her opponent and former Treasurer, Mrs Ifeoma Ossai, who scored 132 votes, while Mrs Obialor garnered the highest number of votes (191), beating her male rival, Lillybox Imikubi, who scored 94 votes to a distant second.
Mrs Ominini emerged the first female Auditor in the history of NUJ, Rivers State Council. She clinched 162 votes to defeat her male opponent, Tonye Orabere of The Tide Chapel who polled 125 votes.
The position of the Financial Secretary went to Fubara Miebaka, having polled 149 votes to beat his only contender and former Financial Secretary, Martins Giadom, who scored 134 votes. Both contenders are from the Radio Rivers Chapel.
The new executive officers who were sworn in Wednesday at about 6.30pm promised to abide by their oaths of office.
The newly elected chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, in his acceptance speech, sued for the cooperation and support of every member of the union and promised to run an all inclusive and transparent government.
He also promised to use his second term to consolidate on the achievements recorded during his first term.
He commended the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim and elders of the union led by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, for restoring peace to the union.
Stanley also commended his supporters, especially members of his consolidation team, for working hard to ensure his re-election and election of other officers of the union.
Earlier, the Vice President, NUJ Zone F, Opaka Dokubo had described the election as free, fair and credible.
He commended journalists in the state for their large turnout and peaceful conduct throughout the voting process in spite of seeming frustrations.
The Tide recalls that the just concluded election had suffered six postponements since August 5, last year when it was scheduled to hold due to misunderstanding arising from the delegates’ list between the two opposing camps that contested the election.
The election impasse was, however, resolved following the intervention of the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Nsirim and elders of the union.

By: Boye Salau

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.

Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.

The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.

National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.

Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.

He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.

Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.

On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.

She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Seminitari was later presented an award.

New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.

There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.

They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.

According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.

The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.

They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.

Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.

They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.

Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.

The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.

President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.

The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.

According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.

The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.

He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.

According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.

The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.

Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.

“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.

The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.

Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.

The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.

Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.

By; King Onunwor