Rivers
HYPREP Set To Begin Ogoni Power Project Construction
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is now ready to commence the construction of its power project in Ogoniland in Rivers State, with an appeal to the people of the area to give their maximum cooperation and support to the project.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Ferdinand Giadom, who gave this indication during a sensitisation workshop on the power project at the council secretariat of Gokana Local Government Area in Kpor on Monday said the power project is an initiative of HYPREP, an addition to the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, both of which are not spelt out in the UNEP Report but conceptualised as a boost and extra to the deliverables of HYPREP to the people of Ogoniland.
As a boost, he noted, the power project will provide sustainability to the project’s water schemes, the livelihood training, the operationalisation of the Centre of Excellence in Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, approved by HYPREP’s Governing Council to be included in the deliverables of the project.
Giadom disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the take-off of the power project, a gesture which he said has demonstrated that the President is both a father and friend to the Ogoni people, stressing that the President had always given assent to development projects coming to Ogoniland.
He further hinted that the Minister of Environment, Barrister Mohammed Abdulahi had initiated discussions with the Minister of Power on the power project while a team of engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and Ministry officials was dispatched to conduct reconnaissance survey of power facilities, electricity transmission and distribution routes in Ogoniland.
According to him, the processes are on for the conduct of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, which will lead to its eventual construction.
The project coordinator also indicated that he had opened discussions with the Council Chairmen of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas.
“We had very fruitful deliberations. Ogoni is not a virgin land; it already has built up areas that are most likely to stand in the way of the transmission lines”, he said, adding that “Time is of essence to deliver the power project and others on target and what that means is that we must not use our own hands to drag ourselves backwards through unnecessary communal disputes, chieftaincy tussles, petitions and squabbles over where to site projects”.
Giadom further disclosed that the engineering drawing for the power project is ready and by that design, power will be evacuated from the 132KV line sub-station in Ebubu, Eleme to Wiiyakaara in Khana and another 132KV line to Bodo in Gokana, stressing that from these two points, HYPREP shall further distribute 33KV to the communities of Ogoni.
He said powering households, the power project would energise the HYPREP water stations and the proposed economic development hubs that would house production and manufacturing activities across the four Ogoni local government areas, stressing that the construction of the power project has been divided into two phases.
Giadom described as overwhelming response for application for high pay skill areas of Aviation, Mechatronics, Seafaring and Entertainment by the project under its livelihood training programme, and hinted that HYPREP would soon conduct an online examination to screen the most qualified 100 candidates for each of the skill areas.
According to him, the selection shall be transparent, inclusive and on merit.
He disclosed that the Minister of Environment has increased to 10,000 the HYPREP’s first livelihood training for 5,000 Ogoni youths in general skills, and that the Ogoni Specialist Hospital approved by the Governing Council of HYPREP will be sited in Tai Local Government Area, which he said does not have a General Hospital.
Speakers at the event poured encomiums on the project coordinator for the power project initiative, and urged him to do more for the Ogoni people.
A women leader in the area, Chief Priscilia Vikue, while thanking Giadom for the project urged Ogoni communities to donate land for the project.
By: Donatus Ebi
Rivers
Terrorism: COAS Makes Case For Local Intelligence Gathering
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said robust local intelligence gathering is the most effective weapon in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent crime.
He, therefore, urged communities across the country to take ownership of security efforts through active collaboration with the military.
Shaibu gave the advice in his message at the 7th edition of the Nigerian Army Key Stakeholders Engagement Forum themed “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities,” in Port Harcourt recently.
Represented at the event by the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, Major General J.E. Osifo, the Army Chief emphasized that security was a collective responsibility that demands a whole-of-society approach.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army draws its strength from the support of citizens and communities, noting that cooperation from the civil populace significantly boosts the morale and operational effectiveness of troops engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
Shaibu also identified militancy in the Niger Delta, terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and separatist agitations in the South-East as pressing security challenges requiring coordinated national action and credible intelligence from the grassroots.
According to him, synergy with key stakeholders remains a central pillar of the Army’s strategy, as sustainable national security and economic development can only be achieved in a peaceful and stable environment.
As a way forward, he called on traditional institutions, faith leaders and civil society organizations to use their influence to promote unity and discourage criminality within their communities, describing them as critical partners in intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.
While acknowledging that counter-terrorism campaigns often record both successes and losses, the Army Chief said collaboration between the military and the public was indispensable to securing lasting victories on the battlefield.
He urged participants at the forum to contribute meaningfully to discussions, identify operational gaps and propose practical solutions that would strengthen trust and improve engagement between soldiers and civilians.
In his keynote address, retired Brigadier General, and traditional ruler of Abuloma Kingdom, Ateke Fiboinumama, underscored the importance of leadership in reducing crime, noting that effective engagement with community leaders can significantly curb insecurity.
Fiboinumama highlighted the Army’s non-kinetic interventions in Rivers State, including medical outreaches and disaster response efforts, and called for honesty within communities, stressing that while the military owes citizens protection, communities owe the military cooperation.
Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, outlined ongoing initiatives such as scholarships, literacy competitions, medical missions and public complaint channels, as the forum concluded with a panel discussion to reinforce trust, transparency and sustained partnership as essential ingredients for restoring peace and stability nationwide.
The event had in attendance traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders who deliberated on strengthening civil-military relations.
King Onunwor
Rivers
CareerFest 2026 Begins In PH Today
Fasthire Services, in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Rivers State Chapter, will begin a two-day career development and job creation event in Port Harcourt, today.
The event known as Fasthire CareerFest 2026, is expected to attract over 1,000 job opportunities, with employers actively recruiting across various sectors.
According to the organisers, CareerFest 2026 is designed to be a high-impact platform that goes beyond a traditional job fair, and will also feature career exhibitions and professional guidance sessions, aimed at helping participants navigate career pathways, professional development, and long-term career planning.
There will be virtual sessions and industry conversations today, and physical conference and job fair in Port Harcourt tomorrow.
The hybrid event scheduled to hold at Celebra8 Event Center, Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt, will feature three core components including career and industry conference, involving keynote sessions, panel discussions and fireside chats with Human Resources leaders, business executives, policymakers, and industry experts.
It will also feature a job fair and recruitment hub with direct engagement between employers and job seekers, as well as one-on-one career counselling, mentorship and exhibitions.
The organisers said CareerFest 2026 is open to students, fresh graduates, job seekers, professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and anyone seeking career clarity, growth, or new opportunities.
They called on members of the public, employers who have vacancies and want to recruit, and professionals to register and participate in what is positioned as one of the most impactful career and employment-focused events in the South-South region.
The vision for CareerFest was originally conceived by Fasthire Services and has since received strong buy-in and strategic support from PHCCIMA and CIPM Rivers, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce development, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment.
Other strategic partners supporting the event include NTA, 3MTT, Google Developer Group (GDG) Port Harcourt, SMFest, and other companies and organisations that are committed to skills development, innovation, and employment creation.
With strong institutional backing, a clear employment focus, and a growing network of partners, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping careers, strengthening the workforce, and driving inclusive economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.
Rivers
Etche Clan Urges Govt On Chieftaincy Recognition
The Chief Cultural officer of Etche Ethnic Nationality, Eze Charles Nweke, has warned government against recognizing anyone not installed by the Onyeishi Etche, His Eminence, Oche ENB Opurum, as Onyeishi Agwurus or Clan head in Etche and Omuma local government areas.
Eze Nweke, who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, also called on Etche sons and daughters to respect the culture and traditions of Etche ethnic nationality.
He said the advice to the government has become necessary in order to preserve the sanctity of the Etche chieftaincy institution.
Nweke, who described Oche ENB Opurum as the custodian of the traditions of Etche ethnic nationality, said the Etche monarch has laid down the ground norms of the culture and traditions of his people, adding that what is needed is for both government and the people to accord it proper respect.
He listed clans in Etche to include Igbo Agwuru Asa, Okehi, Omuma, Ozuzu, Ulakwo Umuselem, and Mba.
According to him, dding these clans already have their heads who are all subservient to the Oche of Etche ethnic nationality .
Nweke said others below the Onyeishi Agwurus are special chieftaincy titles, the Ochimbas, Mgbaragidas, as well as Ogbetis and Ada Etche, who he said can come from any of the clans
Nweke also stressed the need for all community heads and clan heads in Etche nation to appreciate Oche ENB Opurum for his wisdom in bringing Etche nation together.
He said as the custodian of Etche culture, Oche ENB Opurum has not only laid foundation for a prosperous Etche as far as the Chieftaincy institution was concerned, but has also made sons and daughters of Etche proud by ensuring orderliness in the tradition and culture of Etche.
He stated that Oche ENB Opurum has laid foundation as far as the traditional institution of Etche was concerned, especially in the order of importance.
Nweke continued that Etche tradition must be respected because it is the only way Etche nation can continue to move forward.
He said it beholves sons and daughters of Etche to respect the Monarch by keeping to the tenet of the Etche culture and traditions.
The Chief Cultural officer also said all the Chieftaincy stools in Etche, including the stool of the Oche, are not hereditary, and that inline with Etche tradition, the Oche stool rotates from clan to clan while onyeishi Agwuru/special chieftaincy titles rotates from town to town, Ochimba stool rotates from village to village, while the Mgbiragidas rotate from compound to compound.
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Etche Clan Urges Govt On Chieftaincy Recognition
