Niger Delta
Ex-Agitators Honour Ndiomu For Impactful Leadership

The leadership of the First Phase Forum of beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have commended the Interim Administrator, Major-General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), for his excellent administration of the Programme.
The PAP beneficiaries who gave the commendation recently while presenting an award to Ndiomu for his sterling leadership qualities at the PAP Headquarters in Abuja, also called on President Bola Tinubu to retain the Interim Administrator to enable him successfully implement his creative initiatives that are positively impacting the lives of ex-agitators.
Spokesman of the First Phase of the Ex-agitators, Joshua Opia, noted that the PAP Co-operative Scheme in particular, is the best thing that has ever happened since the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“Most of us with businesses have expanded our operations through the loans and we are happy to note that the majority of our colleagues are also changing their situation with the loans,” he said.
“We know this is a pilot scheme and we know you have more plans for us. You and your team are square pegs in square holes and we appreciate your policy decisions,” he added.
They commended General Ndiomu for his consultative and engaging approach in relating with critical stakeholders of the region, which has created an atmosphere of peace in the hitherto restive oil-rich region.
The ex-agitators said those sponsoring negative articles across blogs and other online media against the PAP, are those who are affected by ongoing reforms, and those who have vested interest in taking over the PAP’s top job.
While noting that these persons do not represent the real interest of the ex-agitators, Opia urged the Presidency and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to be more in touch with the leadership of ex-agitators who dully participated in the disarmament process for real facts on happenings in the Niger Delta, and not to rely on those who fed fat illegally from the Programme.
Receiving the ex-agitators, General Ndiomu thanked them for the honour done him and assured that he would continue to do his best to turn around the fortunes of the Programme and the welfare of the direct beneficiaries.
“We have to correct those things which were wrongly done such as the scholarship programme under which deployments were made without financial commitment,” he said.
Ndiomu explained that instead of an outright cancellation, “we adopted the scholarship and cleared the debts at the end of March this year and now we are awarding fresh scholarships for beneficiaries to further their education”.
The PAP boss urged ex-agitators to be more assertive of the ownership of the Programme, which was specifically created for them.
Chairman of the First Phase Ex-agitators, High Chief Henry Binidougha, the Egbema One, led the team to the PAP office.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.