Niger Delta
Diri Calls For Preservation Of Cultural Values

The Bayelsa State Government has called on community leaders in the state to take deliberate steps to preserve their cultural values as part of efforts towards fighting against moral decadence in society.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri made the call at Onopa, Yenagoa LGA of the state. While speaking as guest of honour at this year’s Uge-Adiafa (Yam) Festival of the Atissa people.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri expressed concern that the rich cultual heritage, including the language of the Ijaw nation is being threatened by western values and alien practices.
According to the Governor, most of the dialects in Ijaw land would go into extinction if deliberate steps are not taken to safeguard them, warning that when a people lose their indigenous languages, then their own culture and identity are lost.
He noted that although festivals constituted an expression of culture, the erosion of their language could eventually lead to the extinction of the culture in the long run.
He reminded parents and elders that they have a social and moral obligation to tell their children to be of good character and behavior, stressing that a culture without respect for elders is no culture at all.
“As a people, we are suffering from what is called environmental terrorism mainly caused by the oil companies. But there is another terrorism that is threatening us, which is cultural terrorism.
“We must know and realise that our is being threatened everyday by westernisation. When a people lost their culture, they have lost their identity. When they lose their language, they have lost their identity.
“The Ijaw nation, which also consists of the Epie and Atissa kingdoms should know that we are at the verge of losing our language. So, I want to use this opportunity to call on all of us parents to teach our children our language.
“Let me also urge our youths to learn how to respect. They must know the boundary between illegality and morality. A culture without respect is no culture. If you don’t respect others, you will not also be respected”, he said.
Responding to the requests of the Atissa Kingdom, the Governor mentioned some of ongoing and completed projects in the area embarked upon by his administration, including the canalisation of the Ekoli River at Obogoro and the construction of the new Commissioners Quarters at Onopa.
He assured the people of Epie and Atissa kingdoms that government would continue identify with them for the sacrifices they are making as hosts of the state capital.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the 2022 Uge-Adiafa and Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon. Oforji Oboku, described the annual festival as a major unifying factor among the 12 communities that make up the Atissa Kingdom.
Oforji appreciated the Governor Dir-led Administration for always identifying with the Atissa people, and called on the government to extend the ongoing canalisation at Obogoro to other Atissa towns currently affected by erosion.
In his presentation, the Ebenibe of Atissa, King Godwin Igodo, commended the present adnistration for its infrastructural development projects across the state, especially the ones sited in Atissa kingdom.
King Godwin Igodo, who was represented by the Ebeni-Isisibo of Atissa, His Royal Highness Dr Goodwill Simeon, however, appealed to the state government to put to use the six-classroom block built for Onopa community by the SPDC 2017.
He also appealed for more government projects to be sited in Atissa towns and the appointment of more Atissa sons and daughters into various positions of trust by the state government.
Meanwhile, the Ebeneken(paramount ruler) of Onopa Communitiy, host of the 2022 Uge Adiafa festival HRH Morris Tamama has commended the state governor, senator Douye Diri for gracing the occasion.
The royal father who also lauded the governor on both the completed an ongoing projects in the community and other parts of the Atissa kingdom in particular and the entire state in general described governor Diri as a listening leader, this was just as he stated that the governor has proved his mettle as a true leader who has impacted immensely in the annals of the State’s development.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.