Niger Delta
Investment In Agric, Priority Agenda, Says Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his government’s commitment to revolutionizing the agricultural sector to reduce hunger and maintain food sufficiency and security for the people of the State.
The governor made this known during the SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving Service held to celebrate his recent Supreme Court victory and the landslide victory at the polls in 2023.
The event, which held at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, on Saturday, drew a massive crowd, despite attempts by the local government chairman to scuttle the peaceful gathering of Rivers people.
Leader of the Simplified Movement in Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, who represented the governor at the programme, revealed that massive work was ongoing at Songhai Farms, in Tai, to reactivate the integrated farm for food production, sufficiency, and create gainful employment for the growing youthful population of Rivers State.
He stated that despite the good intentions of the government of the day, detractors, in a bid to foil the programme, tried to lure Tai people at the 11th hour with the promise to empower them with slippers and rice as the event turned sour with the loss of two innocent souls.
Bipi called for a minute of silence for two young men who lost their lives while struggling to collect rice and slippers as empowerment from the council.
He said, “Today, you may not know that in the course of going to collect slippers as an empowerment at Saakpenwa, two people died. They tried to hold the parallel event so as to thwart the gathering here today.”
He thanked the good people of Tai Local Government Area for their unwavering support for the Fubara-led administration, admonishing them to remain resolute and determined to liberate themselves from the claws of poor representatives.
Speaking during the event, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, while responding to the initial plea by Hon Victor Oko Jumbo and Hon Sokari Goodboy, both members of Rivers State House of Assembly, urged the people of Tai to reach out to their state Assembly representatives who have jettisoned the mandate of the people, and neglected their primary constituency in a bid to satisfy the ego and ambition of one man.
Abiante, while quoting the scripture in the book of Luke 15 vs 11-32, cited conditions for the returning of erring members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which includes acknowledging their error before the people.
He stated, “In coming back, there are conditions, which include coming back to their senses and admitting that they have sinned against heaven and those who voted them into power. Until that is done, they remain prodigal sons.”
On his part, the Vice Chairman of PDP in Rivers West Senatorial District, Hon Robinson Ewoh, said that Fubara was a good man as he kept prioritizing the people’s interest in infrastructure delivery, agriculture, healthcare development, education, and other critical sectors of governance.
Ewoh highlighted how the visionary leadership of the governor provided appreciable cushion against the harsh economic conditions for the citizens and residents of the state.
He added that contrary to how the last administration diverted public funds and properties into personal estates, Fubara, being a noble and civilized man, would never embrace such a primitive lifestyle.
Other leaders at the thanksgiving service appreciated God for the gift of the governor, who He has used to liberate Rivers State from anti-democratic forces that held the state captive in the last administration.
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.