Rivers

‘Kalabari May Not Really Develop Until …’

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

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

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.

According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.

The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.

He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.

“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.

He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.

The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.

He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.

Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.

According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.

He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.

“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.

Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.

He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.

He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.

The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.

To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.

Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.

He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.

The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.

Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.

“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.

Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.

He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.

Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.

While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.

The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.

According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.

He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.

Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.

He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.

The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.

In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.

The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.

King Onunwor