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Expert Lauds Tinubu Over Creation Of Marine, Blue Economy Ministry

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2 years ago

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A civil society activist in Rivers State, Dr. Mina Ogbanga, has lauded President Bola Tinubu over the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Ogbanga, who gave the commendation in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, also described the act as a deliberate response to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)14, which pledges the protection of lives under water and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“SDG 14 has been pledging for lives under water to be protected and the Paris Agreement emphasises the importance of sustainable ocean management. It will record a lot of development in the international level”, she said.
The activist, who is also the Executive Director of Centre For Development Support Initiative (CEDSI), said the Ministry will help in the utilisation of the resources of the ocean for the development of the country.
She said the Ministry’s role is also crucial in addressing enviromental challenges.
“I want to laud the President over the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. It is very interesting to note that Nigeria is taking a safe step, and the Ministry’s role is very crucial in addressing enviromental challenges”, she stated.
Ogbanga noted that the ocean, which covers over 70 percent of the Earth surface, is currently facing challenges ranging from pollution, over exploitation and impact of climate change.
“You can see from our own coastal areas that a lot of things are happening. So, the process of setting up a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a clear commitment to combating three issues and ensuring that the marine sector is sanitised”, Ogbanga said.
She said by the development, Nigeria is aligning with the international community to safeguard the planet.
Ogbanga, a lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, said the Ministry is also important, especially in promoting sustainable human development and African sea bed resources.
“You can see that the blue economy is one of the key ways of sanitising the ocean that is carrying a lot in terms of our activities”, she stated further.
She listed the benefits of a blue economy to include “sustainable use of ocean resources to benefit economies, to benefit our livelihood, to benefit our ocean ecosystem, and health.
“Others include promotion of marine shipping, fishing, aquaculture and others”.
Ogbanga said even coastal communities also stand to benefit from the activities of the Ministry as their economies will be impacted greatly by the activities of the Ministry.
She charged the Rivers State Government to align with the move by also setting up a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in the State.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.
OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”
Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.
“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.
According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.
“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.
“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.
He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.
The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.
He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.
The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).
The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.
Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.
He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.
“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.
Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.
Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.
“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.
He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.
Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.
Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Rivers

Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.
It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.
According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.
It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.
The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.
It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: King Onunwor
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