Rivers
Expert Decries Flooding In N’Delta Seeks Govs’ Intervention
An environmental rights activist in the Niger Delta, Barrister Iniro Wills, has criticised some state governors in the region for not showing serious concern towards perennial flooding in the region.
Wills, who spoke in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the sooner governors in the region come up with what he called strong policies towards checking flooding in the region, the better it will be for the people.
“Nigeria has to wake up, Niger Delta has to wake up. The Governors of the States in the Niger Delta need to do a lot more.
“This is because the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, more than any other part of the country, should pay the most attention to environmental protection in terms of policies, programs and budgeting”, he said.
Wills continued that state governments in the region should set aside large chunk in their annual budgets to solve the environmental problems of the region.
He described what he called the relegation of ministries of environmental agencies and departments handling environmental issues to the background in the region, stressing that despite the cry for environmental remediation in the region, the elites are only concerned about their personal welfare.
In his word, “in terms of capacity building for institutions, the environment, ministries, departments, and agencies in the Niger Delta, states have been relegated, and this is very saddening”.
He accused the political elites in the region for not showing example as far as environmental remediation was concerned, adding, “when we get into government, when we become ministers, governors and senators and so on, and so forth, we forget about the environment.
“We use the environment as a a ladder to climb to positions. When we get into the positions, whether as governors or as ministers or as agency heads, we forget the environment”, he said .
The activist, however, blamed the situation on lack of political will among the political elite in the region, noting that the region is not lacking in policies and laws, as far as the environment is concerned, but the will to implement them.
“It is not about policies, it is about will. There is no policy or law anywhere in the world that can be implemented without the instrumentality of human agency. So what is lacking is the human will.
“The political will of people who are in decision-making positions, people who decide budget, who allocate resources, but have refused to do anything about protecting the environment, forgetting that the environment is a natural asset,” he said.
By: John Bibor & Adigun Oreoluwa
Rivers
Revive Nigeria’s Economy, Cleric Urges Tinubu, Leaders
The General Overseer of the House of Jesus Christ Ministries, Apostle Joseph Emmanuel, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders in general to be more committed in reviving Nigeria’s ailing economy rather than shifting blames.
He dismissed what he called the “don’t blame me” posture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the hard times currently faced by Nigerians and the killings in some parts of the country.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on the outcome of the #EndBadGovernance protest, Emmanuel said such statement amounts to an abdication of responsibility.
He called on Tinubu and other leaders in the country to commence moves of reviving Nigeria’s ailing economy through the quelling of the heat of hardship, hunger and the sufferings of Nigerians under his leadership.
The cleric stressed that as Chief Security Officer of the country, Mr. President and other stakeholders should stop throwing their hands in the air or absolving themselves of blames, except they want to tell Nigerians that they can no longer do their jobs of effective leadership and quality representation.
“Nobody is happy on how the economy is is and managed. Nigerians are wallowing in hunger, abject poverty, hardship, lack of jobs to the people, and their situation is worsening by rhe day, since he became President over one year ago, and this is unacceptable.
“Mr. President and other stakeholders should go back to the drawing board and revive the economy. Particularly, they should ensure that prices of petroleum products come down drastically, so that the cost of living will follow suit.
“President Tinubu should take the blame for the present economic lapses in the country, which had exposed Nigerians to their oresent state of helplessness, and ensure that anyone in hos cabinet that’s not living up to expectation shoild be shown the exit”, he said.
Emmanuel continued that one way to begin a thorough revival of the economy is to “bribg back the refineries to life, in order to reduce the pomp orice of fuel from N1,850.00 to not more than N300.00”.
Apostle Emmanuel also commended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “for bringing out Rivers people from political slavery to the path of quality service delivery and good governance within the space of one year on the saddle of governance in the state”.
He described the Governor as a leader, assuring that the church will not relent in praying for the success of his administration.
He used to the opportunity to appeal to all aggrieved persons in the political crisis in the state to embrace peace, “if for nothing else, for the sake of the well-being of Rivers people”.
Emmanuel also urged Rivers people to rally support for the Governor to enable him deliver more democratic dividends to them.
Bethel Toby
Rivers
RVCHPP Hails Fubara’s Leadership …Assures Robust Sensitisation
The Acting Executive Secretary of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebration for what she called his “visionary leadership and unwavering support in making RIVCHPP a reality”.
Dr. Agala, who made the commendation in a message issued to RIVCHPP family to mark the Independence Day, said the Governor’s commitment to the health and well-being of Rivers State residents is truly commendable.
Agala also expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, for her “strategic leadership and tireless efforts in shaping the health sector”.
She said such dedication has “ensured quality health care services for all Rivers residents is inspiring”.
Dr. Agala also used the occasion of the Independence celebration to appreciate the RIVCHPP team for their collective efforts towards building a healthier Rivers State and the Nigeria nation.
She said, “Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to delivering exceptional services have been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless individuals and families.
“Today, we honour the resilience and determination that defines our great nation. We also acknowledge the vital role health care professionals like yourselves play in ensuring the well-being of our communities.
“I thank everyone for your tireless efforts, even as I pray that this Independence Day may inspire all to strive for excellence, compassion, and unity”.
The RIVCHPP Executive Secretary used the occasion to inform Rivers people that the agency “will continue a more robust and aggressive sensitisation campaign and enrolment of persons into different health insurance packages of the agency to enable more and more Rivers residents to benefit from the laudable health largesse of the current government in the state”.
Rivers
Egbetokun Inaugurates 12-Room POWA Office In Rivers
The wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, has commissioned a 12-room Office Complex built by the Rivers State Chapter of the Association located at Old GRA in Port-Harcourt.
Speaking while commissioning the office complex, Mrs. Egbetokun said she was “aware of the various challenges and responsibilities Police Officers faced daily in their line of duty.
“This is why commissioning the complex marks a significant milestone in POWA’s journey”.
She stated that one of POWA’s cardinal missions is to advocate for Police families and ensure they receive support for their sacrifices, adding that the complex would foster unity and generate revenue for the organisation.
The number one POWA in the country opined that the various gift items given to some widows of late police officers, such as gas cookers, sewing machines, hair dressing equipment, and refrigerators was to enable them start up businesses after training them on relevant skills.
She said the ultimate objective was to make them self-reliant.
In addition to the gift items, assorted food items were given to some of the members to start various mini businesses.
According to her, under her leadership, POWA will continue to give priority to the welfare of its members and the wives of fallen Police Officers”.
Earlier in her goodwill message, the wife of Rivers State Governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Roselyn Uranta, reitratated the State Government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of women under the administration of His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and assured of the Government’s continued support to the association.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in his brief remarks, also thanked the wife of the IGP for finding time out of her tight schedule to be in the State for the commissioning of the project.
The CP further stated that her visit was an indication of the immense support that the Police receive from their wives in enhancing the safety and security of Rivers State. He thanked the State Governor for his support.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of POWA in Rivers State, Mrs. Olufunmilola Disu, thanked the Almighty God for making the day a reality, stating that despite the daunting economic challenges, POWA remained focused and committed to improving the welfare of her members.
The complex, she said, “symbolises POWA’s collective unity, resilience, and support for our Police officers and their families”.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event were the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, Yenagoa, AIG Paul Alifa Omata; Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Rivers State, DCP Olugbenga Adepoju; Assistant Commissioners of Police, other Senior Police Officers, Traditional Rulers, Clergymen, and members of the State PCRC.
The event’s high point was the official cutting of the tape to formally commission the complex and the presentation of the Award to the State Chairperson of POWA from the National Headquarters of POWA.
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