Rivers

DELGA Chairman Justifies Dissolution Of Bille Youth Exco

Published

3 years ago

July 18, 2022

The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon Michael John Williams, has adduced reasons for dissolving the Bille Youth Executive, which he recently disbanded.
Speaking during a courtesy call of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Bille Clan, at his office in Degema, Thursday, the Council Boss stated that the youth body failed to adhere to the rules, laid down by the Rivers State Government, concerning conduct of youth elections in the State.
He staed that his decision to dissolve the youth body was not done out of hate or personal interest, but to simply enforce government’s decision on the matter, assuring that his administration would endorse the group if they go back and comply with the extant laws of the land.
The DELGA Sheriff called on the traditional institution in the area to get involved in the recruitment process of youths into such organizations, in order to forestall a situation where miscreants with criminal tendencies would infiltrate the youth body, using it as a cover to perpetrate crime and criminality.
He commended the people of Bille for what he called their uncommon unity and brotherliness, adding that in order to preserve the rich culture of the Bille people, his administration had undertaken to reconstruct the native arbitration building, known as the Ekine Sekiapu Society House, to a befitting structure.
Earlier, Bille Clan Chairman of the INC, Elder Dagogo George Secondus, commended the Council Chairman, whom he described as “a very special gift from God to Bille Kingdom and the entire LGA.”
He thanked the Council boss for swiftly addressing the protracted issue of sea piracy that had bedevilled the Bille people, despite their cries to past administrations for help, which unfortunately yielded nothing.
“It is better imagined than said, when the Chief Security Officer at the time was withdrawn and unwilling to assuage our pains, even by an expression of empathy.
“At that point, our entire existence as a people was challenged.
“But very unlike others, you did not turn a blind eye to the issue on ground at the time, but sprang into action,” he narrated.
He commended the Chairman for always showing interest in the affairs of Bille and other communities of the LGA, adding that the Chairman had redefined governance at the grassroots.
Elder Secondus, who prayed God Almighty to continue to uplift and protect the Council Chairman, added that DELGA would have long been transformed if the LGA had been fortunate to have the likes of Hon. Michael John Williams as Chairman of Council.
The Ijaw leaders used the occasion to invite the Chairman as Special Guest of Honour for their forthcoming INC function, slated for August 12, 2022, at Bille, and to also seek for his assistance towards the hosting
of the event.

By: Theresa Frederick

Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.

OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”

Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.

“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.

According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.

“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.

“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.

He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.

The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.

He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.

The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).

The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.

Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.

He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.

“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.

Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.

Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.

“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.

He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.

Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.

Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

Published

19 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.

The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.

It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.

According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.

It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.

The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.

It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

By: King Onunwor