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‘Kalabari May Not Really Develop Until …’

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2 years ago

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The Amanyanabo and Paramount Ruler of Abonnema, in Kalabari land, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, says Kalabari may not get the desired development until her constituent communities come together as one.
“In addition to coming together as a people, we must find answers to existing challenges as well as decide on our priorities before we can make any headway in the current struggle for ethno-political dominance in Nigeria”, he said.
He noted that the pockets of efforts for social, political and economic advancement of the Kalabari people are not likely to yield much in the face of widespread mutual suspicion and absence of unity of purpose within the various peoples and communities of the Kalabari Kingdom.
The revered monarch, who received a delegation of the Kalabari Media Forum (KMF) in his palace at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, recently, said Kalabari can no longer sit back and expect the best things in life to happen to her.
King Bob-Manuel said there was so much that even the Kalabari elite could achieve when they forge a common front and are motivated by the overriding interest of the collective rather than the pursuit for untested private goals.
The natural ruler of Abonnema, who is currently the only first class traditional ruler in Kalabari land, commended the Kalabari Media Forum for its patriotic zeal and fervour and urged the group to be tenacious in pursuing the laudable agenda of conscientising the Kalabari people for greatness again.
While granting royal blessing for the Kalabari Media Forum, the Amanyanabo expressed excitement over the apparent passion of the group to change the trajectory of events in the kingdom, adding that he would not only work closely with the group, but give the needed assistance and support to enable it succeed.
Earlier, the Coordinator of KMF, Alabo Dagogo Clinton, told the king that the formation of the group was made imperative by the diminishing visibility, clout and influence of Kalabari in the socio-political and economic drawing board of Rivers State, in particular, and Nigeria in general.
He said following their experiences in the public space, Kalabari was hardly visible in the socio-economic equation of Rivers State after her relevance was celebrated nationally only a few decades ago.
According to Alabo Clinton, his group was literally compelled to initiate a cause of action for Kalabari to regain her position of significance and relevance in the polity not only for her good, but for the good of the State and Nigeria also that yearns for the quality contribution of the unique abilities of the Kalabari people.
He said the group was currently consulting the major leadership houses of Kalabari with a view to obtaining the blessing and support of the traditional institution for the planned campaign to awaken the people for the next level in the pursuit and actualisation of the Kalabari Project.
“Your Majesty Sir, we have noticed with concern the hunger in the average Kalabari for our people to come back to reckoning, not only in Rivers State, but in Nigeria, where our forefathers had placed us”, he said, and implored the King to make available his proven leadership capacity to once again help in reinventing the Kalabari Kingdom.
Alabo Clinton entreated the royal father to escalate the concerns and propositions of the group to the topmost level of Kalabari traditional leadership with a view to galvanizing them to action, irrespective of existing primordial biases.
“His Majesty Sir, as a group, we have put together ideas that can take the Kalabari nation to the next level, but only a committed Pan-Kalabari group can drive the process and bring home the dividends”, he explained, and urged the king to help facilitate the birthing of the group with the mandate to champion the Kalabari cause, as soon as possible.

Opaka Dokubo

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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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.
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