Connect with us

Rivers

Environmentalist Rates LG Boss High On WASH Facilities

Published

on

Deputy Operational officer, Port Harcourt City Local Government Environmental Sanitation Taskforce, Elder Blessing Jackson Tiko, has rated high the administration of Chief Erastus Awortu, Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, in the provision of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in some Communities in the area.
Tiko, who stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said beside the restoration of peace and other projects in the Local Government Area, the council chairman has done so much in water sanitation and Hygiene.
“As for other things, the peaceful dispositions in Andoni today and other laudable projects he has executed, we are happy that he has been able to fix water in some Communities”, he said.
Stating some of the benefitting communities, Tiko said, “Ibot Irem has one of the largest connections of water in Andoni, Ngo has its own, Ikuru Town, Oronijah, Asuk Oyet, all these communities, even Agbadam, which is the smallest community in Andoni, has water”.
He said with these feat by Erastus Awortu, the era of incessant cholera outbreaks in these communities is over.
He, however, prayed that the gesture be extended to other communities in Andoni.
“So we really thank him and we pray that other communities he has not reached, that God being on his side he will come the second time, he will be able to put those ones in place. We need water in Andoni badly”, he said.
Tiko blamed the salty test of some of the water on the pattern of drilling and the topography of Andoni.
“The fact is that our water is salty and our land is shallow. Before you get this aquafer, the real water in Andoni is very difficult, so for him to come and give us something near perfection, I think we should thank him”, he said.
On the issue of a central water supply system in Andoni, the Environmentalist said, “the terrain and topography of Andoni does not favour a central water supply system, except we are talking of the mainland. We talk of Asarama, Egendem axis, and the Isiokwan. Ataba is far away”.
On Open Defecation (ODF), especially in Andoni, he said it will take many more years even for Nigeria to end open defecation, particulaly as policies are hadly executed in Nigeria.
“It will take some time for Nigeria to advance to end ODF. You know, in Nigeria, we make policies which we don’t execute and the money needed for such venture will be huge”, he said.
He also commended the Andoni Local Government Flood committee for doing a good job, but urged for regular environmental sanitation exercises in the area, as is being done in Okrika and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
He also commended the Chairman for the on-going fencing project at the Council’s Secretariat in Ngo and the desilting of the drainages in the area.

By: John Bibor

Continue Reading

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

on

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.
Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.
The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.
National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.
Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.
He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.
Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.
On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.
Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.
She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.
Seminitari was later presented an award.
New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.
There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
Continue Reading

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation 

Published

on

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said  the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.
They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.
According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.
The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.
They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.
Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.
They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.
Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.
The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.
The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.
By; King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

on

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.
The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.
According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.
The  President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.
He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.
According to Osigwe, the nation was  witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.
The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.
Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.
“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.
The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.
Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.
The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.
Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.
By;  King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Trending