Rivers

RSNC Staff Emerges Rivers AUPCTRE Chairman

Published

4 years ago

July 15, 2022

A staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), publishers of The Tide Newspaper, Mr Tobins Tamunoiminabo, has emerged as the State Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
Tobins, who is Head of Estate Unit, Administrative Department of the corporation, was elected unopposed at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the union in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Also elected are Comrades Billy Tonye, Vice Chairman (Sports Council); Fred Edward, Vice Chairman (Hospital Management Board); and Ibim Douglas (Rivers State Housing and Property Development Board Authority).
The rest are Christopher Dedia, Financial Secretary (Agric); Maureen Amadi, State Welfare Officer, David Jack, Auditor; and Burabari Badom, Secretary, Administration.
Meanwhile, the State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Beatrice Itubo has congratulated the union for a successful congress.
Itubo, represented by Comrade Rose Ngowari, said the State expects a good working relationship with a new AUPCTRE executive with a view to improving the conditions of workers.
She also urged them to carry everyone along in the scheme of things.
In his address, National President of AUPCTRE, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, said the congress was in line with the Constitution of the union.
Anthony, represented by the National Treasurer, Comrade Henry Urombo, said the event provides opportunity for leaders to give account of stewardship.
According to him, “this is a time for reassessment, time for proper review and evaluation of the activities of the union, and a period to channel strategy to stabilise the union for another four years, which invariably will help in re-engineering and reinvigorating our collective effort for working in areas that require assistance.”
The outgone Chairman of the union, comrade Orupabo Emmanuel, said the union has managed to move forward despite various challenges.
In a post election speech, the new Chairman Comrade Tobins, said the new executive will work with all affiliate chapters for the greater good of members.
He also pledged to work with the State NLC to improve the conditions of workers.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Court Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny

Published

2 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A High Court Sitting in Port Harcourt, presided by Hon. Justice Teetito has outlawed the constitution of caretaker committee or any interim administration in the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State.

Ruling on suit number BHC/101/2016, brought before it by contending parties, the court declared that the Constitution of Grand Bonny Kingdom and regulations on chieftaincy matters,1971, only provide for a substantive chief as the Head of the House as contained in section 2d, 6a and 10 of the constitution of Bonny, and as such the court has no jurisdiction to determine the suit on caretaker committee as it is built on nothing.

Addressing the press in Port Harcourt, Lead Counsel of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Tope Duyilemi, said the position of the law as contained in the judgement is binding on all parties in the suit and cautioned any violations to avoid contempt of court and chaos in the reverred chieftaincy House.

He noted that the composition of the Jumbo Major House and its organs have been previously interpreted and set out in suit no PHC/1098/2006 and suit no PHC/1164/2006 by Hon. Justice Agumagu and Hon. Justice Akpugunum, respectively.

He stated that by the judgement, the emergence of Chief Tamunoala Chapp Jumbo as the Head of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny through a due process of selection by the house remains valid pending the outcome of a suit on the matter in Okrika High Court.

Dr. Duyilemi commended the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM, King Asimini People, for his royal insight in sustaining traditional norms and values of ancient Bonny Kingdom.

Rivers

Monarchs, Others Pass Confidence Vote On PINL … As Firm Recommits To Stakeholder Engagements In Bayelsa

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State traditional rulers within the operational corridors of an oil and gas surveillance firm, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), have lauded the company for standing up to its responsibilities of ensuring that its host communities were carried along in its scheme of things.

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers during the March, 2026 stakeholders meeting of the firm in Yenagoa, on Thursday, Chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), praised the firm on its relentless efforts in changing the narratives of oil and gas host communities for the better.

The monarch thanked the firm for its various initiatives aimed at bringing succour and awareness to host communities, calling on other oil and gas companies to emulate the template set by the PINL to give relief to communities within their catchment areas.

Also speaking, the duo of the Chairman of the State’s Chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Comrade David West, and the Secretary, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Central Zone, Comrade Azibator Efere, described the firm as having understood the yearnings and aspirations of peoples of its host communitues.

They, however, also charged the firm not to relent in its efforts to pay all outstanding stipends and remuneration owed benefitting stakeholders, saying the host communities and people on their own also owe a reciprocal relationship to the firm by keeping peace and tranquility in their domains.

Earlier in his opening remarks, General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of the firm, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the attendance of stakeholders at the meeting reflects shared dedication to strengthening cooperation, sustaining peace, and advancing development across the host communities within the firm’s operational corridors.

He said the February stakeholders engagement was not held due to circumstances beyond the company’s control, saying, however, that the period allowed the PINL to consolidate on some important aspects of community empowerment programmes, including the disbursement of scholarship grants to beneficiaries of host communities.

Mezeh stressed that it is the belief of the firm that most of the beneficiaries have received their grants, calling on students who are yet to receive to visit an established help desk to address such concerns and ensure that no beneficiary is left behind.

“Distinguished stakeholders, your continued partnership with Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has remained a cornerstone of our operational success.

“Over the past years, our engagements have consistently demonstrated that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual trust remain the most effective tools for building sustainable relationships between private security companies (PSC) and host communities.

“At PINL, we hold firmly to one guiding principle – Community partnership is national security. When communities protect infrastructure, they protect livelihoods, national revenue, and the future of our country”, he said.

Speaking on national energy outlook and the future of Nigeria’s energy, the surveillance firm reiterated that the nation’s energy sector remains central to national development and economic stability.

It cited recent developments in the sector, which, he said, reflects renewed progress and growing opportunities for the country’s energy future.

“According to the latest operational report released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the national oil company recorded a profit after tax of N385 billion in January 2026, generating N2.571 trillion in revenue and remitting N726 billion to the Federation Account during the same period after 1.64 million barrels per day production.

“These figures demonstrate renewed operational efficiency and improved performance across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“This improvement was driven largely by the successful completion of maintenance operations at key onshore facilities.

“Nigeria also recorded encouraging progress in natural gas production, which increased to 7,283 million standard cubic feet per day, compared to 6,914 million standard cubic feet per day recorded in December 2025.

“Gas sales strengthened as well, reaching approximately 4,978 million standard cubic feet per day, reflecting improved supply to power plants, industrial consumers, and export markets”, he stated.

The company promised to sustain its advocacy for oil and gas riverine communities to also enjoy uninterrupted supply of petroleum products via provision of functional floating petrol and gas stations, reassuring that the federal government is aware of the challenges of the people as they continue to buy these products above the prevailing market price.

“Distinguished stakeholders, the progress recorded in recent months would not have been possible without your cooperation.

“Enhanced collaboration between host communities, security agencies, government institutions, and pipeline operators has significantly reduced incidents of crude oil theft and vandalism across our operational corridors.

“However, we’re currently faced with an unpleasant situation, and I must use this opportunity to sound a strong warning to all our contractors and surveillance teams.

“Recently, at Atali axis – Zone 4, two tankers were intercepted while attempting to load crude. It was only through the effectiveness of our backup intelligence system that this operation was foiled, otherwise, those trucks would have successfully loaded.

“Preliminary findings point to a possible coordinated conspiracy. Let me be clear, once investigations are concluded, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice, and no one will be spared.

“Furthermore, in Bayelsa State, at Otukpoti axis, Zone 9, we recorded yet another case of sabotage arising from negligence on the part of our surveillance guards.

“This is unacceptable. Let this serve as a clear and firm warning to all contractors and operatives that any act of negligence, compromise, or collusion will not be tolerated.

“Going forward, any contractor found wanting will not only lose their contract, but will also face full prosecution under the law.

“At the same time, we must continue to strengthen collaboration. The community intelligence systems have significantly enhanced information flow and improved response times”, he said.

On community-centered development initiatives, the PINL Manager said beyond infrastructure protection, the company’s job is fundamentally about people and community development.

He promised that the firm remains committed to promoting initiatives that improve the welfare of host communities and foster inclusive participation, including capacity building training for community-based contractors, prioritizing collaboration, noting that security was a shared responsibility

“We’ll have more Youth participation in pipeline protection activities, women-focused economic empowerment programmes, educational support, through scholarship schemes.

“Several interventions have been implemented, including, scholarship programmes for students, women empowerment initiatives, medical outreach programmes, distribution of humanitarian support and palliatives.

“We recognize that young people remain critical stakeholders in the future of our communities and for this reason, PINL is proposing a comprehensive Youth Skills Acquisition Programme in 2026 across our states of operations.

“We also acknowledge stakeholder feedback regarding the women empowerment programme, particularly the need for faster disbursement.

“So, we’re currently working closely with Premium Trust Bank, and payments will commence as soon as possible”, Mezeh reiterated.

On Environmental issues, the firm said environmental stewardship remains a central priority in its operations, saying that it understands the legitimate concerns of host communities regarding environmental protection and ecosystem preservation.

“Our operational framework continues to prioritize pipeline integrity management, rapid incident response systems, collaboration with regulatory agencies and host communities, promotion of safe operational practices, environmental awareness and sensitization programmes”, the PINL Manager added.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Rivers

RSU VC Lauds Fakae’s ICT Legacy At 70th Colloquium

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Vice Chancellor (VC), Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has commended the immense contributions of former Vice Chancellor, Professor Barimene Fakae, to the growth and technological advancement of the institution.

Zeb-Obipi said this recently during the 70th birthday celebration, Colloquium and Book Launch in honour of the former Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Fakae, held at the Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

“Fakae uplifted the university at a time when the world was yet to fully appreciate the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), adding that his leadership launched the institution into the digital age”, he said.

He stated that history and providence would remain kind to the celebrant for his foresight and commitment to repositioning the university for global relevance.

The Vice Chancellor further emphasized that the former helmsman made the university ICT-driven during his tenure, a move he described as visionary and foundational to its present status.

He stressed that the legacy of the celebrant continues to reflect in the university’s academic excellence and administrative efficiency.

Zeb-Obipi continued that Professor Fakae’s tenure marked a defining moment in the institution’s history, as it ushered in innovation and progressive reforms.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, described the celebrant as an epitome of service to humanity and a man of commendable character.

Lulu- Briggs noted that Professor Fakae’s life embodies discipline, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility to society.

He added that the celebrant’s contributions extend beyond the university community, impacting lives across various sectors.

Earlier, Professor Fakae, who bowed out of the university as a lecturer after attaining the age of 70, expressed gratitude for the honour accorded him.

Fakae stated that he would continue to reach out to people and contribute to societal development despite prevailing challenges.

He cautioned against destructive tendencies, noting that no parasite survives by killing its host, even as the book, titled “Priest of Three Temples”, was unveiled in his honour during the event.

By: King Onunwor