Rivers

GDI Chieftain Wants General Hospital In Oyigbo

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2024

A Chieftain of a grassroots mobilisation group in Rivers State, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Oyigbo Chapter, Hon. Loveday Okere has appealed to Rivers State Government under the watch of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to build a General Hospital in the local government area to critically address the health needs of the ancient community.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port Harcourt on the non-availability of health facilities in the area, Okere decried the absence of good health facilities in the area over the years, stressing that since the State was created in 1967, the local government had not benefited from the state budgetary allocation for health.
He regretted that in the 27 communities of Oyigbo LGA, which were created over 100 years ago by the colonial administration, none had continued to benefit from the government of recent times, instead is suffering from neglect by a successful government in the state.
According to him, “Our people are crying on a daily basis because they need good health facilities to attend to their needs. We have recorded many casualties because we don’t have good health facilities, among other demanding necessities. “When we have serious cases of health, we are forced to rush to neighbouring communities in Khana Local Government Area and or Ukwa-East in Abia State. At times, before our people get there, things have gone bad.
Hon. Loveday Okere, Deputy Coordinator of GDI in the LGA, said that several appeals had been made to the state government to upgrade the Primary Health facilities in Oyigbo to a general hospital, and provide other demanding amenities for the well-being of the people.
The political gladiator also drew the attention of the Rivers State Government (RSG) to the deplorable condition of internal roads, saying that during rainy seasons, some parts of Oyigbo, particularly Umuihueze 1, comprising of Obunku-Ndoki, Egberu-Ndoki, Umuosi, Obeakpu, Mgboji, Afam-Ukwu and Afam-Nta, respectively. Others are, Umuagbai-Ndoki in Umuokobo up to Obete-Ndoki, among others were usually cut off, thereby making life unbearable for the people in these communities.
Okere lauded Governor Fubara for his developmental initiatives and strides in the past nine months, and charged Rivers people to support the Governor and his team to be able to consolidate on his developmental agenda for the masses for posterity.
Meanwhile, Hon. Loveday Okere has advocated judicious spending of scarce resources among political office holders towards effective delivery of dividends of democracy to the masses.
He maintained also that it is imperative for political leaders to hearken to the yearnings and aspirations of the governed, especially, on issues pertaining to governance for possible symbiotic relationship.
Okere, said that detractors’ disagreement with Governor Fubara was unconnected with the aborted impeachment plot against him. He, however, enjoined those aggrieved in the state polity to join forces with the Governor and his team to deliver the expected dividends of democracy to the people, instead of working against them.

By: Bethel Toby

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

8 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.

Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.

She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.

“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.

In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.

Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).

Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

8 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.

The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.

According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.

The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.

It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.

The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.

It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.

Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.

It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.

While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.

The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

8 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.

He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.