Rivers

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

Published

4 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

Insecurity: Paramount Ruler Seeks Profiling Of Residents

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A Paramount Ruler in Rivers State, Nyenweli Elele-Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, Eze Peter Wagbara CP (rtd.), has called for the profiling of residents in his domain in order to forestall security threats and challenges.

The Nyenweli made the call at the weekend during the Ogbakor Elele Alimini 2026 first meeting held at their Kingdom Civic Centre in Elele, Alimini.

According to him, the step would help relevant authorities to keep tabs on residents and curtail criminality in the area.

The Paramount Ruler promised indigenes and non-indigenes living and doing business in the area of adequate security of their lives and properties.

“Inspite of the negative reports about insecurity in part of the country, I want to assure the people and residents of Elele Alimini of adequate protection of their lives and properties, hence the need for water-tight security throughout the nooks and crannies of Elele Alimini.

“Following the influx of people into Rivers State, particularly Elele Alimini right now, I want to charge chiefs and landlords in our kingdom to profile their tenants, religious leaders of the various faith-based organizations and commercial transporters in our domain”, Eze Wagbara said.

The retired Commissioner of Police stated that despite the violence and banditry in parts of the country, chiefs and elders as well as leaders of thoughts within his area would work closely to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents of Elele Alimini, adding that “it is one God, one Elele Alimini, and one destiny” under his reign.

He commended members of Elele Alimini Council of Chiefs and Elders as well as the CDC Chairman and the Youth President for their contributions toward the socio-economic development of the area.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Elele Alimini Gospel Ministers Forum (EAGMF), Apostle Hope Abikari, said there were a lot of churches serving God in Elele Alimini with different doctorines and practices and stressed on the need for confidentiality in handling of religious matters and related issues in the area.

“Eze Sir, I want to inform you that there are a lot of churches at Elele Alimini today serving God. In fact, this invite to religious leaders at Elele Alimini is very crucial. There is need to arrange for a fresh private meeting with religious leaders in Elele Alimini, which should be confidential. I suggest that a committee be set up to look into the activities of churches in Elele-Alimini”, he added.

He described Eze Wagbara as a Monarch who has the interest of his subjects at heart, and lauded Eze Wagbara and his Council of Chiefs, as well as members of Ogbakor Elele Alimini for their quality leadership in the kingdom.

On his part, the Chairman of Motor Cycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Elele Alimini Branch, Comrade Obuah Emeka, said members of the union who operate within Elele Alimini and Elele Okinali would render efficient services to commuters/passengers in the area.

Comrade Emeka explained that members of the union were not involved in crimes, noting that they do not constitute nuisance to the society.

He, however, promised to co-operate with the leaders of Elele Alimini in order to ensure safety within the area.

Rivers

KENPOLY Matriculates 4,350 Students

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENOOLY), Bori, has matriculated a total of 4, 350 students into the 2025/2026 academic session.

The management said the matriculation ceremony is officially admitting students into various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in sciences, Engineering, Environmental and Management Technology, spreading in five different schools of the institution

Speaking at the event, the Acting Rector of the school, Dr. George Chile Wadike, told the matriculants that “the matriculation marks the beginning of a long and challenging, but fulfilling journey in your academic development. I implore you to be resilient, focused and dedicated to the primary reasons you are here”.

The polytechnic, Wadike said, “does not tolerate any form of indecency from students, social vices like examination malpractice, theft, cultism and other violences in any form, which attract outright expulsion.

“The Polytechnic is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedoms, but that freedom often comes with some corresponding obligations as your freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins.

“So, not only must you protect your rights, privileges and freedom, you must also ensure that you do not trample on the rights, privileges and freedom of Others.

“I, therefore, recommend that you emulate the examples of your mentors and lectures in self discipline, self care, good mode of dressing, fedelity to studies and work and general comportment so that you will not be found wanting.”

He continued that “Kenpoly is positioned to be a trailblazer in good governance, accountability and transparency within the firmament of Nigeria’s educational system.

“We have no doubt that this polytechnic is strongly positioned to solve some of the nations problems of unemployment by graduating not only self-employable youths, but also youths that are themselves employers of labour.”

He announced to the matriculants and parents that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a new intervention line with the Career Development Centers.

Wadike said the new intervention is purposely for the initiation, taking-up and continuous maintenance of Student Career Guidance.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Group Seeks Traditional Medicine Hospital Establishment In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

A group under the aegis of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), Rivers State Branch, has called on the state government to build a designated traditional medicine hospital in the state.

They said this will enable the state government actualise full realisation of its healthcare service delivery programmes and maximize the potentials of its members in the state’s health sector.

The State Chairman of the MTMPN, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu, made the call after the group’s general meeting in Port Harcourt, weekend, noting that the modern traditional medicine practitioners in the state are ready to partner with the government to contribute their own quota towards the development of the health sector.

Eze Ogbu, who is a member of the Rivers state government approved Board of Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), urged members to choose area of specialisations and not be jack of all trade, while also exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in their practice, and conducting their operations in a clean environment.

The Onye Ishi Agwuru of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of the state hinted that a committee has been set up by the TCAM Board to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners and use the opportunity to call on the state government to invest in traditional medicine to boost revenue and create jobs.

Also speaking, the Chairman of MTMPN, Obio/Akpor LGA Chapter, Dr. Dede Temple Owhadah, said the association is training members on modern practices in order to improve their efficiency in the treatment of patients across the state.

He called on herbal and traditional medicine practitioners in the state to get trained and be educated in their areas of specialisation to remain relevance in the practice

Owhadah warned that the taskforce will go after unlicensed practitioners after the training period and urged governments at all levels to work with the registered professionals in their domain to flush out unqualified practitioners and to tap into the profession’s human resources to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.

He stressed that members of the group are celebrated researchers who have manufactured certified drugs as cures for various diseases and ailments.

“What we are doing is that we are training and educating our members to improve on their proficiency and modern practices they desire to operate with. After this, we are going to come after those unqualified practitioners and clampdown on them across the entire state.

“Whether you are selling herbal medicine in the street, bone setters, or using any form of herbs and alternative medicine to treat people, we are going to shut such areas down without any recognised government approval at the end of the training session”, he stated

On her own. Dr. Gorgeous Chinyere Adichie commended the group for the education and training of their members to update them with the needed professional experience in the practice.

By: Akujobi Amadi