Rivers

RIMA Set To Disburse Loan To Over 500 Small Businesses In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2024

The authorities of Rivers State Micro Finance Agency say over 500 small scale businesses in Rivers State are set to receive N4 billion loan set aside by the Rivers state government to enhance business activities in the State.
In an interview ,the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State Micro Finance Agency ( RIMA), Pastor Jonathan Tobin described the gesture as one of the monumental achievements of Governor Fubara-led administration within one year in office
Tobin said during the pre- qualification exercise, 2,000 Rivers business men and women valued at N1.26 billion were captured.
He hinted that in the course of the verification, some persons were disqualified bordering on impersonation ,wrong information, saying the disbursement of the loan shall be a continuous exercise.
He said in the next six months, economic activities in the oil – rich State shall re-vibrate astronomically.
He asserted that the Rivers State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank of Industry where the Rivers State Government shall provide N2billion while the latter will provide N2billion.
He said by this singular gesture, Governor Fubara had demonstrated his determination and interest to lift Rivers State and its indigenes out of poverty.
Tobin said emphatically that Governor Fubara has come to teach Rivers people how to fish and not giving them fish, reason being that if you give them fish, tomorrow they will keep coming ,but if you teach them how to fish, they will be self-reliant and will never come to you again.
“Most of the governments think that giving people palliatives is the solution. Teach them how to fish just as Rivers State Governor is doing. That will break the yoke of poverty in my 33 years of doing government work and having interacted with most Governors, Governor Fubara is unique. He has a listening ear, discusses with you and even allows you to sit down and argue with him. While talking with him, you will realise you are talking to an individual who is divinely motivated to work for the interest of Rivers people. I thank God He had given me an opportunity to work for Rivers people. I am giving it all my experience, contacts and strength, ,bringing everything to bear on it to ensure the assignment is successful. I have followed Governor Fubara’s progress from Christmas gift to civil servants; promotions to workers including local government workers; employment to both teachers and non-teaching staff; commissioning of landmark projects; and putting facilities to work.
He is an answer to prayers of Rivers people .He has the heart of a leader and father. Governor Fubara is on an assignment to salvage Rivers State. I urge Rivers people to give him total support and assistance to deliver on the assignment God had given him. As a pastor, the Bible says, when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice. This is exactly what is happening to Rivers people and people are happy because the administration of Governor Fubara is touching their lives. I have no doubt that after the first one year, Rivers people will realise that a man of vision and purpose is in charge. It is going to be novel. Every Rivers indigene shall take a quiet moment to reflect on the past regimes, if we are honest to ourselves. I expect all hands to be on deck to support him to move Rivers State to the next level and stop the bickering by some persons. No programme of God that the devil does not challenge. The distraction from satanic forces cannot stand because when light appears, darkness must surely flee. The light of God has shone in Rivers State and forces of darkness must bow. Development is predicated on peace and progress. I believe that with Governor Fubara, Rivers people will see the next level of monumental development.”

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

23 hours 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