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Flood: Rivers Begins Distribution Of Relief Materials To IDP Camps
The Rivers State Task Force on the 2022 Flood Disaster Management, has commenced an on-the-spot, one-on-one assessment and evaluation of the level of damage and devastation caused by what could be best described as coastal flood.
The task force has also kicked off the distribution of urgently needed relief materials, including medical supplies, to cushion the effects of flooding on the people.
Coastal flood is caused by strong winds or storms that move towards a coast or waterline during high tide.
The Tide investigations show that when powerful waves breach the coast’s dune or dike, the area is usually flooded.
Coastal areas with fewer defenses and lower elevation are the most affected.
Speaking during the visits, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. George Nwaeke, directed that the Rivers State Mobile Clinic should be stationed at the IDPs camps for immediate medicare pending when adequate centres would be put in place.
On arrival, the members of the committee stopped at the Ahoada East section of the East-West Road where the ravaging flood had totally cut-off a lane of the dualcarriage way.
At this point, the Chairman of the committee, who doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. George Nwaeke; Secretary of the committee and former commissioner in the state, Barrister Inime Aguma; and the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Evangelist Hope Ikiriko, respectively, addressed stranded commuters and motorists who had been on that spot for about two days with perishable goods destroyed.
They assured them that the state government would immediately begin the distribution of relief materials to affected residents while adequate arrangements were being made to evacuate stranded people to higher grounds.
Afterwards, the team moved to Ula-Ehuda community, the access to the Odiokwu clan in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
At the scene, the committee resolved to immediately provide speed boats for the evacuation of stranded community dwellers.
Another point of call was at Edeoha Community where the affected persons reported that the flood swept through their community about two days earlier.
They also catalogued their immediate and long term needs to the committee, which assured them of government’s readiness to provide succour to the victims of the flood.
The committee further went to inspect the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Ahoada East Local Government Area headquarters.
At the location, the committee noted that the affected persons had started reporting to the camp under the supervision of the council Chairman, Hon Ben Eke.
After inspecting and addressing the agonised and devastated victims of the flood, the committee promised to commence the distribution of materials ranging from food items, mattresses to other relief materials to cushion the negative impact of the flood on the people.
Similarly, the Rivers State Task Force on the 2022 Flood Disaster Management also paid a visit to Erema Primary School I and II, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, where Internally Displaced people were camped.
On arrival, the Chairman of the local government area, Hon. Vincent Job, told the flood victims that the committee was set up by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected people and bring succour to the challenges they were faced with.
It was gathered that the IDP camp has a total of 1,100 people with few of them sick.
However, on arrival, the medical team of the committee provided medical treatments to the sick.
Also, the committee took boat to Ndoni to see displaced persons and houses that had been submerged by flood.
After assessing and taking photos, they were taken to the IDP Camp close to River Niger where the inhabitants were camped on a sand filled area.
Speaking at the site, the Chairman, Dr. George Nwaeke, said Governor Nyesom Wike, in his magnanimity, inaugurated the committee to provide relief materials and medical aid to cushion their sufferings.
On her part, the Secretary of the committee, Barrister Inime Aguma, said the committee has a special concern for the women and children in the IDP camps, adding that the initiative of having a mobile clinic was to ameliorate their sufferings.
She said the committee was in touch with the local government chairmen, to provide medical aid, food, shelter and facilitate their immediate evacuation from anywhere that was completely flooded.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Community Development Committee in Ndoni community, Mr. Patrick, pleaded for the Federal Government to also come to their aid.
Furthermore, the Director General of Pension Board, Ndoni Zone, Mr. Samuel, commended the good gesture of the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for the fund approval he has made to alleviate the sufferings and pain of Ndoni people.
Also speaking, the LG Chairman, Hon. Vincent Job, thanked the governor of Rivers State, for setting up the committee, and promised the people that the committee would start bringing relief materials as soon as possible.
Afterwards, the committee visited Ibocha and Egbema community to ascertain the level of flood and devastation in the area.
In the same vein, the committee visited the Palace of His Eminence, Barrister Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III, the Oba of Ogbaland.
Speaking at the palace, Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Management 2022, Dr. George Nwaeke, sympathised with the King and his subjects over the flood situation that has ravaged the area.
He said the state governor has inaugurated the committee to alleviate the sufferings and bring succour to the people of the area.
Responding, King Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III, thanked the governor for his commitment and responding briskly whilst he commended the committee for hitting the ground running.
Meanwhile, the King has promised to constitute a local committee at the community level to liaise with Rivers State Government on flood management for easy distribution of relief materials.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The National Coordinator of Embedded Ai -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, has commended the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Rivers State Government for their strategic partnership in organizing the Job Fair 2026.
The Job Fair with theme: “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” took place at Obi International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, last week.
Speaking as Special Guest, Professor Omijeh stated that result-oriented human capital development and trainings focused on relevant skills is the most effective solution to reducing the high rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He noted that Nigeria is firmly in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and 5G.
According to him, these emerging technologies offer enormous employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across critical sectors, including agriculture, power, Telecommunication, oil and gas, healthcare, and security.
He emphasized the growing shift from job seeking to job creation, explaining that youths equipped with 4IR skills can become innovators, solution providers, and founders of startups and new industries.
Professor Omijeh further stated that Nigeria is richly endowed with talented youths capable of competing globally when properly empowered with the right skills, support, and enabling environment.
He called for sustained collaboration between government, the private sector, and educational institutions to build a future-ready workforce and drive inclusive economic growth in Rivers State.
To the over 4000 teeming youths present, Professor Omijeh said, according to Bill Gate, that “Being born poor is not a fault, but remaining poor in a world of opportunity and skills is a responsibility that must be consciously addressed.
“Don’t allow your current circumstances define your destiny. There’s a seed of greatness in you. Sieze any and every opportunity to develop yourself and acquire the requisite skills.
He passionately urged the Rivers State Government to intentionally invest and fund result-oriented training programmes through the strategic Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment and Ministry of Youth Development to increase employability and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honorable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom K. Gbali, for this laudable initiative with NECA.
Professor Bourdillon Omijeh is the National Coordinator of the Embedded Artificial Intelligence (EAI) -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria; Immediate Past Director of Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering Uniport, NCC-Chair Occupant on ICT Uniport; TensorFlow four (4) times award winner on Capacity building on Ai & ML -(2021-2024), CEO-Bourdillon Omijeh Foundation.
As a Professional Mentor, he has facilitated the training of thousands of youths on 4IR- Skills with relevant certifications and evidential engagements.
Follow Prof Bourdillon Omijeh on LinkedIn.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to growth and development.
Fubara said global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing such opportunities.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor stated this while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” the governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that it was unrealistic to absorb all job seekers into the civil service.
“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service.
“This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said.
Fubara further urged participants to continually sharpen their skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment and the global space through digital platforms.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment for youths to develop their potential and thrive.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was designed to equip youths with contemporary skills, innovation and mentorship needed to transform them from unemployable to resourceful individuals.
Gbali disclosed that the ministry had rolled out various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy.
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr Chris Biriowu, advised participants to remain informed about evolving sources of employability.
He said the labour market was dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancement, management practices and other emerging factors.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, has poured accolades on late Amayanabo of Opobo, HRM Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, saying his footprints went beyond the State.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the wife of the late king, Prof. Odu said the late monarch contributed meaningfully beyond the shores of Rivers State.
“He contributed not only to Opobo, not only to Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a nation. We all know the various positions he held until his passing. For us as a Commission, we are really going to miss him greatly, especially at this time when his guidance was most needed,” she stressed.
She described the late king as a distinguished traditional ruler whose life and service contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The deputy governor, who also serves as Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, noted that until his demise, King Jaja was an Ex-Officio member of the Commission, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.
According to her, the late monarch actively participated in several meetings of the Commission and played an important advisory role.
“He actually participated with us in a couple of meetings. It was with great shock that we received the news of his passing. We saw daddy as someone who was very strong, healthy and athletic,” Prof. Odu said.
Prof. Odu explained that the Commission relied heavily on the wisdom of traditional rulers like the late monarch to ensure that its responsibilities were carried out properly and conscientiously.
She assured the family of the Commission’s continued support, saying they will remain close to the family throughout the burial arrangements and beyond.
Addressing the widow, Queen Prudence Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Prof. Odu said the visit was to commiserate with her and encourage her during the period of mourning.
“Please accept our condolences. Please be strong and put your hope in God. The God who watches over widows will never abandon you,” the deputy governor prayed.
“We cannot question God. What has happened has happened. All we can do is to pull ourselves together. That is why we are here to pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you, that God will turn your sadness into joy and clothe you with a garment of beauty,” she added.
Responding, Queen Jaja described her late husband as a gentle, humble man who was deeply committed to the progress of Rivers State, and Nigeria at large.
She expressed gratitude to the deputy governor and other members of the Boundary Commission for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.
“We are praying that his soul will rest in perfect peace. I thank you very much for coming to console me at this trying moment. Seeing you here has given me comfort. God bless each and every one of you,” she said.
She also offered prayers for the delegation, wishing them a long life and good health.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation Letter of Condolence from the Rivers State Boundary Commission to Queen Jaja.
Kevin Nengia
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