News

Police Restore Peace In Rivers Community

Published

3 years ago

November 21, 2022

The Rivers State Police Command has said that peace has been restored to Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area of the state following an alleged invasion of the community by gunmen in military uniform.
The gunmen had whisked away over 30 persons, last Wednesday.
Spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, had dispatched a tactical unit to restore peace in the community, adding that peace has been restored.
According to a source, members of Bodo Community fled their homes to safety after some gunmen suspected to be soldiers invaded their community in the early hours of Wednesday, and whisked away some persons to an unknown destination.
According to a source, who said there had been tension in the community following the issues that broke out after oil spill incidents that happened earlier this year.
The source said the disagreement led to the dethronement of the community king and shake-up of the leadership structure in the community.
The source further stated that the gunmen in military camouflage showed up at the Regent’s residence, Chief Pius Menegha, but met his absence.
The source further said thathe gunmen allegedly brutally beat his wife and took away about 25 people amidst sporadic shooting in the air for several hours.
The community, however, called on the state governor to wade into the issue as they urged the commissioner of police to order a probe into the lingering crisis in the community.
A member of the community, who is the leader of the intercessory group, Bariaala Ngo, said “We, the people of Bodo City, are calling on the commissioner of police in Rivers State, Okon Effiong Okon, to investigate some men dressed in military camouflage to Bodo community on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 by 1:30am, and inflicted massive brutality, and arrested over 20 people in the community, of which the unknown gunmen in military uniform also broke and invaded the regent’s house and a dynasty head with sporadic gunshots.
“Among those arrested were Chief Pius Menegha, whose wife was thoroughly beaten and harassed, and our regent is yet to be found since after the insurgency occurred.
“You also agree that the Bodo youth, in recent time, had made several moves through the help of God almighty against the administration of fetish people in the community.
“However, some residents of Bodo community, in a save our souls (SOS) letter addressed to the IGP, also draw the attention of the public to Bodo community that the community is now under attack by persons who don’t want the progress of the community due to their selfish gain.
“We, the native of Bodo, are appealing to the inspector general of police and the Department of State Service (DSS) to investigate those bad element that has decided to take up arms against the Bodo community and consider the safe and quick release of the innocent citizens of Bodo who are under siege.
“The indigenes of Bodo also draw the attention of the security agencies that their lives is in danger and no longer save in the community as they are waking up to attack every day.
“They also called on the governor of Rivers State to summon all the elite of Bodo to come home and make peace with her community and ensure that the place is safe for all.”

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.