Rivers

Former Info Commissioner Is New Obonoma King

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2023

Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has been crowned as the new Onu Onyan Ekein/Amanyanabo of Obonoma Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
By the ceremony, King Dateme is now Obonogina ix of Obonoma Kingdom.
While placing the crown on the head of King Dateme at the Obonoma Community Square, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt Rev Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja pronounced blessings on the new monarch.
“We annoint your head. We annoint your chest. The service and dedication of this crown to God, that as Solomon was annointed, may you be annointed”, he said.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Obonoma, Venerable Isobeye Amabibi, also called on the new monarch to rule with the fear of God.
He urged him to embark on a unification campaign in the community.
In an interview with newsmen, Amabibi called on the new King to promote love and bring everybody together in unity and oneness.
Meanwhile, the Obonogina ix, King Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has unveiled his vision for the kingdom.
Speaking shortly after his coronation, he said he would work towards the development of the Obonoma mainland and its satellite communities.
According to the King, the Kingdom, which has vast land, has great potentials for development.
He said the community has dedicated itself to God, adding that by this feat, the ancient rituals of libations is gone for good.
He also announced that a day will be set aside annually for the rememberance of the founding fathers of the Kingdom.
Deteme warned mischief makers to keep off, adding that no one will be allowed to destroy the Kingdom because of selfish interest.
He commended former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for not only recognizing the Obonoma chieftaincy stool, but classified it as second class and presented a staff of office to him.
Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Kalabari Kingdom have hailed the choice of King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme as the king of Obonoma.
Speaking with newsmen, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, His Majesty King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, said the community has made the right choice by coronating King Dateme as the Amanyanabo of the community.
He also advised him to promote peace and love among his people.
Also speaking the Amanyanabo of Minama and Chairman, Asari Toru council of governments recognize traditional rulers, HRH King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said Dateme was the right person to lead the community at this point in time.
King Pokubo also called on the new monarch to unite the people, while also calling on the people to rally round their king to enable him succeed.
The ceremony was attended by monarchs from the various Kalabari Kingdoms and Communities as well as Government officials.
It would be recalled that king Dateme was selected by the Queen Bo Royal family of Obonoma to ascend the throne of Obonoma Community in June 2020.
The ascension followed a long period of interregnum occasioned by the death of the Obonogina Viii in 1987.
He was a Second Class traditional ruler and member of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

Published

13 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

14 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

14 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor