Metro
Unyeada Fish Festival Takes Centre Stage
The popular Unyeada Fish Festival was celebrated with fanfare as traditional rulers, youths and other dignitaries witnessed the one day festival to showcase the culture of the Andoni people.
Unyeada ancient town took the centre stage as it reenacted the fishing prowess of the Andonis.
A member of the Unyeada Kingdom Elites Assembly, Mr Gogo Abel-Ujile, chronicled the history and significance of the Fish Festival (Ijok Irin) to the Obolo people of Unyeada.
He noted that the festival served as one remarkable way to separate the men from the boys in a predominantly fishing population for a people that occupy the longest stretch on the coastline of West Africa.
On behalf of the kingdom and the king himself, Gogo Abel-Ujile requested the Andoni LGA to officially adopt the Unyeada Fish Festival as government recognised event.
The festival, he pointed out, is an annual event to mark Unyeada’s fishing season between the months of July and August.
In his speech, Executive Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Erastus Awortu gave plaudits to the people of Unyeada Kingdom, especially the chiefs who have been united in the pursuit of peace, noting that ‘without peace, we could not have gathered here (Unyeada) to celebrate this age-old tradition in this festive setting’.
Awortu expressed appreciation to God, Governor Nyesom Wike, the people of Andoni and especially the chiefs and youths of the kingdom for the co-operation he had when he came in quest for peace on assumption of office as chairman of council.
For more accelerated development, he called for further co-operation from the people and warned the youths against any attempt to re-establish illegal oil-bunkering activities in the area. That, he stressed, was completely unacceptable.
Highlight of the event was the conferment of Chieftaincy titles on two illustrious sons of the soil, the Council boss, Hon Erastus Awortu and Amb. Bartholomew Ephraim by the Unyeada Kingdom in appreciation of the sacrificial roles they played in bringing back peace to the kingdom and its communities.
There was numerous traditional plays and dances to spice the festival as youths and young men enacted fishing skills for all to see.
Metro
Firm Plans Hose Manufacturing Facility, Marks 21st Anniversary
An oil servicing firm, Fairtex Group, rolled out drums last weekend to celebrate it is 21st anniversary.
The ceremony was held at its new headquarters, in Elelenwo in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, of Rivers State where the firm acquired a massive parcel of land to build its new automobile fluid testing and hose manufacturing facilities.
It also used the event to unveil its “Equip 2026” to provide roadmap for its new diversification plans.
From a one room apartment in Ogbunabali 21 years ago, the firm has grown over the years with specialty in oil tool servicing and haulage to providing oil servicing solutions.
According to its Chairman/Executive Officer(CEO), Mr. Jacob Idungafa, the company has achieved its 2023 vision and hence, plans to diversify into automobile fluid testing and hose production for oil and chemical industrial uses.
Already, he disclosed that the company has begun talks with some South African and German firms on the setting up of a automobile jack system capable of providing jobs for the host community and impact on the nation’s economy.
The hose production is going to be a joint operation with a French firm, Aeroflex, as staffers will be sent abroad for training.
Since commencing operations in 2003, the firm has established branches in 14 countries in Africa that include Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.
“One unique thing is that in all of these, we have not taken any loan facility from the banks. We are prudent and resourceful, “he said.
Idungafa said further, “We are not competing with anybody. We are just beginning and there is a lot to do.”
So far, he stated that it has achieved the Vision 2023 with the acquisition of land, addingthat Equip 2026 is to serve as a launch pad for greater future for the firm.
Some staff who spoke at the 21 st anniversary praised the commitment and hard work of their CEO, saying his steadfastness has helped the firm in the path of growth over the years.
Manager, Foreign and Local Procurement, Brightness Sambo said since she joined the company, she has learnt a lot in management and networking.
In her word, “You don’t have to see the immediate results because the future is certain…We are aiming to go outside Africa.”
Human Resources Manager of Fairtex, Ngozi Ndukwe thanked God for the company and the milestones it has achieved over the years, saying “Where there is a vision, the vision does not die and with God’s grace, we are headed somewhere.”
The firm’s Principal Accounting Officer, lbaraibim Ogolo said since she joined the company, she has grown in her professional competency, describing the CEO as a role model and hardworking personality.
Highlights of the 21st anniversary included a thanksgiving service at Just Jesus Assembly, Port Harcourt, a party at the company’s new site, special performance by staffers and cutting of the anniversary cake by the Managing Director and other guests.
By: Kevin Nengia
Metro
ELTHAN Celebrates World Poetry Day In PH
As part of activities to celebrate this year’s World Poetry Day, the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTHAN), Rivers State Branch organised poetry sensitisation day for young secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The event was held at Community Secondary School Elelenwo, as students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, Woji and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo participated.
Chairman of the programme, Dr. Sunday Igbigibereibim said the event is to raise public awareness on the importance of literature.
“ELTHAN sees this as a challenge and that is why we commemorate 21st March yearly as provided by the United Nations Educational Scientific Council (UNESCO)”, he stated.
He noted that literature is art, “there is need for literary scholars and enthusiasts all over the world to promote Literature.”
While counselling the students on how they can make a career from Literature, Dr. Igbigibereibim pointed out that a shift has occurred over the years from impressionistic to target writing.
On her part, State Secretary of ELTHAN, Salome Ikokoyo decried the decline of literature in the society.
She revealed that in the past years, students’ performance in Literature examinations has been abysmal.
Ikokoyo stated that, “ I think what is happening is a reflection of what the teachers do in the classroom. It’s a reflection of teachers’ performance. And it’s our responsibility as teachers to do what we are paid for.”
Once teachers of Literature improve in their teaching techniques, Ikokoyo believes that students’ performance will also improve.
On the other hand, she tasked students to put in more effort, “they need to read the text books, even though some of them are not interesting, but that is where hardwork is needed.”
Students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, who spoke to The Tide Metro said they were motivated by performance.
One of the students, Esther Ogbebo said she learnt a lot from performance poetry, “ I would prefer Literature for leisure, but for those, who have the passion, they can pursue their career”.
For Deborah Ebiunor, the presentations were exciting, as she lamented that,” Literature is not being promoted in the country. And students need to be encouraged to learn.”
Highlights of the programme included dance, drama and poetry performance by some students, and from the popular folk poet, Biokpo Joshua.
Metro
‘PH Water Project Nearing Completion’
The ongoing Port Harcourt water and Sanitation Project (PHWSSP) is nearing 100 percent completion, says the Managing Director of the Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Ibibia Walter.
The project was slowed down during the last quarter of 2023 and early this year, it has got a boost when Sir. Siminialayi Fubara administration approved compensation for some residents whose properties were affected by the water pipe expansion.
The Port Harcourt water project when completed is expected to cater for quality water needs of residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State.
The Rivers State Government is working on the scheme to revive water and sanitation provision in the metropolis.
Based on the updated Replacement Action Plan (RAP), the payment of compensation has paved the way for the completion of the project.
African Development Bank whose counterpart funding had been stalled had since resumed after the government approval and subsequent release of funds for the project development objectives to be achieved by the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Walter had expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the elevation of King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom to First Class stool and the promise to continue the Isaka Jetty project abandoned by the last administration.
Chief Walter who hails from Okrika is an indigene of Isaka and Chairman of Isaka Council of Chiefs as he expressed happiness over the developments.
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