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LG Boss Tasks Traditional Rulers On Security

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3 years ago

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The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Chief Erastus Awortu, has told traditional rulers in the area to ensure sustenance of peace and security in their respective domains.
Awortu made the call, Monday, during the quaterly meeting of the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council with him at the council headquarters, Ngo Town.
Speaking shortly after he declared the meeting open, the Chairman lamented that the crisis and hatred experienced among the leadership and various communities in the area were often orchestrated by some merchants of division and conflict in the area.
Awortu expressed the need for the support of royal fathers, chiefs and stakeholders in tackling certain issues to maintain the existing peace and harmony installed by his administration.
He urged them to use thier traditional positions to bring unity and peace among the various communities in their domains.
“Yours is a call as royal fathers and traditional rulers to serve the people through quality leadership and selfless sacrifice.
“As traditional rulers, you are fathers to all in your domains. You are the custodians of the values, customs, and traditions of the people.
“We urge you to use your position as royal fathers to unite all the people and promote peace and harmony in your various Kingdoms.
“Our local government needs everyone in formal and informal positions of leadership to speak up for, and to uphold a common humanity.
“Too many merchants of hate and division menace our land, they seek to have their bread buttered by the suffering and destruction that violence brings.
“They promote a persistent victim mentality, pushing a narrative that relegates and diminishes people and inclines them to base conduct.
“They package ordinary people into the mistaken and dangerous belief that the dice is always loaded against them because of politics and chieftaincy wrangling, thereby fuelling a baseless sense of rage and hate.
“When and wherever violence wreaks havoc on life, they see opportunity to feather their nests, rather than embrace their responsibility to work to ensure everyone’s right to life, movement and residence is respected.
“These merchants of division do all these for their personal relevance and bank accounts. Most of them live safely away from the theaters of the violence they induce.
“Many have homes in the safest parts of Port Harcourt, Abuja and cities abroad. Their children and youth are tucked safely away in private schools within Nigeria and abroad, with the proceeds from the relevance that violence and hatred earn for them”, he said.
The chairman explained that his administration was desperately into bringing the incessant attacks and killings that have claimed so many lives and properties in various communities in the area to an end.
He disclosed that the local government council is able to achieve on some developmental gestures because of the relative peace, adding that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.
He urged the traditional rulers to give support to the government in restoring the lost glory of the LGA, and consolidating on the ongoing initiative to bring development among the people.
“This government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to security and peace building not only in Andoni, but in every parts of the neighbourhood LGAs, we explored various avenues for peace and we got it.
“We don’t want anyone in the name of chieftaincy wrangling or community crisis to drag our dear LGA back to the era of doom again.
“There is no doubt that security efforts and intelligence gathering must improve and we will continue to discharge our responsibility to uphold security and uphold the laws of the land.
“But we must all soberly acknowledge that the ultimate guarantee of peace is the willingness of people to live together in harmony and mutual respect”, Awortu said.
In his remarks, the new Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru, promised to synergise with the council chairman to bring sustainable peace and socio-economic development to the area.
He said: “We will adopt more proactive measures to sustain peace and unity in our communities.

“I will embark on sensitization of my people to be law abiding, live in peace and be security conscious and love one another.
“I will gather all the various entities in our area to promote peace. We shall pay special attention to the youths, efforts would be made to provide jobs for the youths”.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Asarama Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers and member of Andoni Area council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Daniel Okikere Ibani, thanked the Council Chairman for the developmental gesture across the LGAs.
Ibani, the partamount Ruler of Iwoma Community in Andoni, also thanked the Council Chairman for his re-inclusion into the Andoni Area Council of Traditional Rulers to represent Asarama Division in the Area.
He promised to promote peace, unity and also join hands with the council Chairman to sustain the existing peace and development in the area.
Ibani warned that his administration as chairman of Asarama Divisional Council traditional rulers will not tolerate any form of gangsterism among the chiefs, youths and the entire people of Asarama Kingdom, saying that the era of compromise and grace had elapsed.

By: Enoch Epelle

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2026 Boy Child Day: Association Seeks Intentional Mentoring 

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1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Boy Child last Saturday, the Rivers Secondary Schools Old Boys and Girls 1983 Set Association has called for deliberate investment in raising boys who will become responsible heads of homes.
In a press release signed and issued by the Secretary-General of the Association, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo, to commemorate the day, the Association said the future stability of Nigerian families depends on how intentionally boys are raised and guided.
Speaking on behalf of the Set, President of the Association, Barrister Tubokomba Mcdonald Harry, she said the theme of this year’s global celebration, “Boys to Men: Adopting Good Habits and Attitudes”, must move beyond slogans to daily practice in homes, schools, and communities.
“For years, advocacy has rightly centered on the girl child. That work must continue. But we cannot ignore the other side”, Barrister Harry stated.
“A boy who grows up without guidance, emotional literacy, and responsibility often becomes a man who struggles to lead, provide, and protect. If we want stable homes in 2040, we must invest in boys now”, he said.
He emphasized that being “head of the home”  is about stewardship, not power: “The man who leads a home well is emotionally responsible, financially disciplined, morally upright, and a true partner to his spouse. These qualities are learned from childhood, through what boys see, hear, and practice.”
The Association noted that many boys currently learn manhood by default from peers, social media, and entertainment that equate masculinity with aggression and silence about pain.
To change this, the 1983 Set urged fathers and mentors to be present and active, schools to integrate life skills such as conflict resolution and financial literacy, and communities and faith groups to establish mentorship programmes where older men guide younger ones.
The press release also linked the issue to Africa’s wider goals, noting that the 2026 Day of the African Child focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene.
“A boy trained to solve real problems becomes a man who ensures dignity for his family and community”, Harry said.
The Association concluded with a call to mothers, fathers, and boys themselves to take ownership of the task of raising responsible future leaders.
International Day of the Boy Child is observed globally on May 16. It is a day that focuses on the well-being, mental health and positive development of boys.
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Ogoni Landlords Seek Inclusion In Planned Oil Resumption Process 

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1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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Flemotongha Miebi/Fortune Wokeh/Akpos David/Esuuk Oyet/Edughom Suotor
Landlords in Ogoni, under the aegis of Gokana,Tai, Eleme, and Khana United Landlords Association  (GOTEKA) have called for inclusion in the ongoing negotiation over the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
The landlords,who made the call during its formal inauguration recently in Port Harcourt, also called for proper compensation, clear legal agreements, and inclusive dialogues in the entire process
Chairman of the Association, Professor George Ema, said any resumption of oil exploration in ogoniland without proper consultation with host communities and land owners will be resisted.
George said, while the association expressed support for the planned return of oil activities in ogoniland under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  key historical issues must be addressed to avoid a repeat of earlier conflicts that led to the suspension of oil operations in the area.
According to GOTEKA, past disagreements between oil companies, political leaders, and host communities caused crises, court cases, and long-term disruption of oil production in Ogoni land, adding that these problems were responsible for the high level of poverty warranted by economic stagnation, social unrest, pipeline vandalism, and many legal battles in the area.
The landlords also referenced the struggles led by late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), which opposed Shell’s activities in Ogoni land, resulting in years of unrest and court cases.
They stressed that the renewed plan for oil exploration must be guided by proper Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), fair compensation, and the direct involvement of landlords in negotiations to prevent cheating and conflict.
The group also raised concern over what they described as a repeated “divide and rule” approach in handling oil compensation in Ogoni. They said there is a lack of proper MOUs between oil companies and landlords, while compensation often goes to political leaders and traditional rulers instead of the real landowners.
GOTEKA added that land in Ogoni is owned by individuals and families, not the entire community.
According to the group, “under traditional land rules, owners have full rights over their land and can decide how it is used, including selling or leasing it. So, there must be proper agreement spelt out in the MOU, which must be signed by all the parties involved to avoid legal battles.
The group urged government, oil companies, and political leaders to respect traditional land ownership and adopt honest dialogue and peaceful negotiation in resolving issues.
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Police Warn Rivers Students Against Cultism, Drug Abuse

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1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Rumuodomaya Police Station, CSP Dindara Dadamu, has warned students in Rivers State against involvement in cultism and other criminal activities, stressing that such acts could lead to imprisonment and destruction of their future.
He gave the warning recently during an anti-cultism and drug abuse sensitisation programme organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at Den-Bec Group of Schools in Port Harcourt.
Dadamu stated that the law does not exempt minors from punishment, noting that children from the age of 12 could still be prosecuted for criminal offences.
According to him, many young people are lured into cultism through peer pressure and bad company. He urged the students to be mindful of the friends they associate with.
The DCO stressed that ignorance of the law would not protect anyone from facing the consequences of unlawful conduct.
Also speaking, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Ejiofor Ifeanyi, described cultism and drug abuse as destructive habits capable of ruining academic ambitions and promising careers.
He advised the students to avoid negative influences and remain focused on their education and personal development.
A mental health expert, Mr. Victor Akeni, noted that cultism and illicit drug use contribute significantly to emotional instability, fear and poor academic performance among youths.
He explained that cult members often live under constant fear of attacks and reprisals, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies or live peacefully.
The sensitisation programme brought together security agencies, mental health professionals, teachers and students as part of efforts to discourage social vices among young people.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke through a representative, Mrs. Anna West, encouraged the students to take advantage of opportunities provided through education and technology rather than engaging in unlawful activities.
Ogbuku also warned that cultism and drug abuse could result in imprisonment, violence and untimely death, and urged the students to embrace discipline, hard work and positive values.
By: King Onunwor

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