Rivers

N’Delta Stakeholder Hails Wike’s Giant Dev Strides …Begs For Support, Royalties

Published

3 years ago

July 25, 2022

An elder statesman, renowned activist and Niger Delta stakeholder, Rev(Dr) Sokari Soberekon, has applauded the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the giant development strides of his administration especially in the area of infrastructural development within the past seven years of his administration.
This is even as the activist appealed to the Governor to provide some grants and financial support to him as a way of rewarding his efforts and contributions over the years as an exponent and champion of the 13 percent oil derivation principle which states in the Niger Delta, among others, are enjoying today.
Soberekon, who gave this indication in Port Harcourt said the Governor Wike administration has not fared badly in the area of infrastructural development particularly against the backdrop of the recent award of the contract for the construction of two additional flyover projects in the state by his administration, thus, bringing the total number to 12. He thanked the governor for doing what the Federal Government could not do for the state, in terms of road construction, saying it would have been disastrous without Wike.
According to him, this is unprecedented infrastructural strides in the history of the state. He however urged the Governor to also develop the people.
Soberekon said he was appealing to the Governor to remember his contributions to the growth and development of the state against the backdrop that he single handedly confronted former President Shehu Shagari in 1981 in Port Harcourt over the need for him to approve oil derivation for Niger Delta states which are producing the resources with which the country is sustained today.
This request, he said has become imperative as he is preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday on September 24, contending that it is more rewarding and honourable to celebrate the heroes of our struggles while they are alive.
He said his claim that he championed the approval of the oil derivation principle could be attested to and confirmed by people like the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Deputy Governor of the state, Sir Gabriel Toby; and former Governor of the state, Chief Rufus Ada-George, among others.
He said he did not champion the oil denvation for monetary gains then, but for the love of the Niger Delta, insisting that now that he is old, he wants all the states that are benefitting from it to pay him what he described as royalties to enable him celebrate his 8oth birthday so as to continue his humanitarian works.
“I made President Shehu Shagari to approve the oil derivation in the presence of the then Governor of Rivers State, Chief Melford Okilo, then Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Rufus Ada-George and the then Permanent Secretary, Sir Gabriel Toby. You can ask these persons who are alive today to confirm the authenticity of how the oil derivation was approved”, he said.
Soberekon also picked holes in the recent change of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) by President Muhammadu Buhari to a public limited company, and queried the composition of its Board of Directors.
According to him, a situation where Directors of the company are predominantly Northerners is unfair, unjust and inequitable.
While demanding justice for the people of the Niger Delta, Soberekon said he is disgusted that only one of the directors is from the Niger Delta region in spite of the area contributing the bulk of the nation’s resources.
He also condemned the recent hike in the price of fuel in the country, saying such an increase was not supposed to be enforced and implemented in the Niger Delta, an area where petroleum products are produced.
Soberekon recalled that over 40 years ago, he threatened to personally commit suicide when the price of petrol was increased from a paltry 9.5 kobo to 15 kobo per litre, and stressed the need for the people of the Niger Delta to be treated fairly.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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