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Rivers

Council Boss Vows To Uphold Oath Of Office

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4 years ago

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The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council (LGA) of Rivers State, Engr Samuel Nwanosike, has said he and his team of executive believe in the oath of office they took in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
Nwanosike, who stated this last Tuesday, at Ward 1, Isiokpo, when he financially empowered 50 people to go back to farm, 20 people to go back to school, and 10 people to start up small scale businesses, said his administration believes in the oath of office after being re-elected.
He assured the people of his administration’s determination to continue what he called the good work of his administration in the local government, saying that “because I took Oath of Office to protect lives and property of the people of the local Government, stand on that oath.
Nothing, no political party, no friends and well wishers would make me to derail from making sure that that oath is upheld”.
The chairman noted that the empowerment programme was aimed at giving back to the people in order to continue their farm works, go back to school and establish small scale businesses.
“We are here today to give back to our people because, as Ikwerre people, we are traditionally farmers. We are not in mechanised agriculture yet, but we have a culture and tradition and a custom in which a lot of our dignitaries and big men have been trained, which is peasant agriculture.
“That’s what we have been doing as a people. Before Mr President will bring his tractors and the seedlings from IITA and other mechanised equipment, let’s continue what has been keeping us alive by assisting our people to do the peasant farming they are used to and make life easy for them.
“We are here to say that despite the going back to farm programme, we are also going back to school, because a community that has abandoned there people from education has created room for crisis.
“So, we are saying because we have fought insecurity in Ikwerre Local Government, Isiokpo in particular, we must send our people back to school.
“The Councillors and F & GPC have also approved that we should send Ikwerre people back to school. That is why you can see that Ikwerre people came out in their numbers, those that will be writing JAMB and those that will also be writing WAEC in different schools.
“Whether they attended those schools or not, we have made arrangements for the principals of those schools to give our people opportunity to write JAMB and WAEC”, he said.
Nwanosike also disclosed that his administration is supporting the people to improve in their businesses with “little capital”.
The Council boss charged the beneficiaries to utilise what has been given to them, stressing that no government in the world can provide all the people’s need at once.
“To those who were not part of the beneficiaries now, we encourage them to wait for next turn of the empowerment programme.
“Despite the infrastructural development we have done in the 13 Wards and in the Local Government Headquarters, we also believe that we need to impact in our people”, he noted.
While revealing that his administration has successfully destroyed 284 illegal refineries in Ogbodo Community of Isiokpo, and ensuring at oil bunkery become a thing of the past in Ikwerre LGA due to the war declared by the State Governor on illegal refinery, Nwanosike beseeched the member representing Ikwerre/Emuoha at the National Assembly, Hon Barr Boniface Sunday Emerengwa, to take the gospel back to Abuja.

By: Ike Wigodo

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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