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Etche Traditional Institution Reads Riot Act Against Land Grabbing

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2 years ago

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Some traditional rulers in Etche Local Government Area have threatened to deal with any community head in the area who indulges in land grabbing.
The Onyeishi Agwuru of Ozuzu Clan, Eze Joshiah Ezebunwo Nwagwu, and his Igbo Agwuru ASA counterpart, Eze Samuel Ndiwe Amaechi, said this at their palaces during a protest by members of the Etche Security Planning Advisory Committee (ESPAC) against land grabbing in Etche.
Speaking on behalf of Eze Amaechi at Edegelem, the Onye ishi Ala Chokocho, Eze Charles Chukwuemeka Nwala, said his Kingdom is against land grabbing in any form.
He said his council has made several efforts to check all incidences of land grabbing in the area.
“The council made several efforts both in writing, and sensitisation to make sure that the issue of land grabbing does not grow in Igbo Agwuru ASA clan.
“We have also gone far to put it in our Constitution that if any chief in Igbo Agwuru ASA Clan is found wanting in land grabbing, that person will be dethroned instantly”, he said.
He commended ESPAC for washing its hands off land grabbing activities in Etche and also commended it for promising to sanitise the area of land grabbing activities.
Speaking at Ihie Ozuzu Clan, Eze Nwagwu urged members of the traditional institution in the clan to desist from indulging in land grabbing activities.
He promised to assist ESPAC sanitise the area by putting an end to land grabbing and commended the security outfit for coming out boldly to condemn the act in Etche Local Government Area.
He said Etche people are not known for land grabbing, adding that members of the council should also advise their communities against it.
Dissociating itself from land grabbing, the Commander of ESPAC, Chibuike Aaron, said ESPAC was not formed for land grabbing, warning that any member of ESPAC found involved in land grabbing activities will be dismissed and disciplined.
He accused one Barrister Azubuike Ihemeje of alleged involvement in land grabbing in Etche.
According to him, ESPAC would also do everything possible to prevent outsiders from fomenting another crisis in Etche.
Also speaking, Secretary General of ESPAC, Godspower Iheanyichukwu Egbunefu, said the protest was in line with a court injunction delivered by Hon Justice Danagogo of the Rivers State High Court.
He said ESPAC would not be involved in land grabbing as that was not the reason it was formed, adding that the group was formed to fight crimes such as cultism and kidnapping in Etche.
Egbunefu urged the state Police Commissioner to call his men to order as far as aiding land grabbers was concerned, and also urged Barrister Azubuike Ihemeje to stay clear of issues concerning land in Etche.
Some of the placards read, “Etche ethnic nationality say no to land grabbing”, “Ozuzu Clan say no to land grabbing”, “Igbo Clan say no to land grabbing”, Okehi Clan say no to land grabbing”,Ulakwo Clan say no to land grabbing”, and “Mba Clan say no to land grabbing”.
Others are, “Barrister Azubuike Iheme leave Etche people alone”, “Velox Real Estate Limited” leave Etche people alone”, “Boeing Luxury Estate Ltd. leave Etche people alone”.
Meanwhile, a text message sent to Barrister Iheme for his reaction was not replied, and several calls made to him were neither answered nor returned, while he deliberately rejected some of the calls.

By; John Bibor

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Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.
Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.
The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.
Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.
This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the  induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.
 Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.
Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.
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VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.
Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and  passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.
“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.
Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of  promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.
He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.
He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and  effective library.
She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.
Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.
High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

 

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

 

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

 

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

 

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.

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