Rivers
RSG Urges Children To Speak Up, Defend Their Rights
In commemoration of this year’s International Children’s Day, Nigerian children have been urged to speak up and defend their rights.
The Assistant Director, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Alice Altride, gave this advice at an event organised by Christ Embassy, Port Harcourt, for school children to celebrate this year’s Children’s Day.
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, ‘Empowering Young Minds’, Dr Altride urged children to always speak up, defend their rights and stand for truth and justice, saying there are laws that protect children’s rights.
According to her, “Rivers State Government has enacted laws promoting children’s rights, the awareness and sensitisation is ongoing, but it’s sad that some parents are still in denial.
“Rights of children include rights to life, education, good health, survival and development among others. Rivers State Government also practices inclusive education for the physically challenged, hence, there should be no discrimination.”
On his part, the Group Pastor, Christ Embassy City Centre Group, Port Harcourt Zone 1, Pastor Strong Daniel, charged children on the need to engage their minds with productive and positive things as these are keys to their successes in life.
Pastor Daniel, who was represented by the Zonal Director of the church, Pastor Amaechi Udeaku, advised children to meditate on the words of God and guard their hearts with all diligence.
“What you see and what you hear are determinants of what goes on in your mind, hence be careful of what you watch and what you listen to. You must empower your minds to be successful by thinking on right things, obey your parents, yield yourself to instructions, obey God’s words, then the sky is just the beginning”, he said.
He also charged teachers to teach the children Godly virtues as contained in the Bible so that when they are old, the virtues will not depart from them.
The pastor explained that the mission of Inner City Mission and the Children Arm of Christ Embassy Church was to reach out to indigents children, bring them out of the slum and empower them with God’s words.
“All of these is our own ways of extending the love of Christ to the people”, Pastor Daniel stressed.
Also speaking, the Programme Director and Educationist, Rita Daniel Strong, described the theme as apt, noting that the children are tomorrow’s leaders and deserve to be empowered with God’s words to enable them have positive mindsets.
‘It all starts from the mind, if our younger ones can harness their thoughts and work on their minds, they will fulfil their goals in life because they will be able to use their minds positively”, she said.
A keynote speaker and Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Rivers State Chapter, Arc. Toku Fiberesima, enlightened students on who an Architect is and why it is important for them to take up Architecture as a career.
Speaking on the topic: ‘The Role of an Architect’, Fiberesima said: “Architecture is an integral part of our lives, without an Architect, there will be no where to live. With an Architect, we are able to build our cities, schools, markets, airports, among others.”
Highlights of the events include Bible quiz and Spelling Bee competition and debates.
At the end of the keenly contested competitions, the following schools: Dayton Model College, Noble Learning Int. School, Beryl Brooks Premier School, Readon Int. School, St. Maria Goretti Int’l School, Divine Anteo School, and Increase Int’l School went home with cash gifts and stationery materials.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections scheduled for February 21.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Gabriel Yomere, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.
He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
“The bye-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two Local Government Areas.
“We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election”, he said.
Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during the primaries scheduled to hold by January 23.
“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or violence”, he said.
He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.
Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.
He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on January 5 across all registration centres in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful bye-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.
Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.
“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state”, he said.
Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.
He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dangers of electoral violence and its consequences.
Adepoju appealed to youths, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun violence and promote peace.
He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and properties for the conduct of free and fair elections.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.
“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state”, Onyekere said.
He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.
Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the bye-elections would be peaceful and successful.
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) says Port Harcourt will host its 2026 Annual General Conference with an ambitious theme: “Beyond Limits.”
Its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, disclosed this at its National Secretariat on Friday.
The theme, the President said, serves as a strategic mandate for legal practitioners to shatter traditional constraints and pivot toward innovation in justice delivery and governance.
Osigwe emphasised that bringing the flagship event to the South-South region is a calculated move to foster national inclusion and ensure that the association’s activities resonate deeply with members across every geographical zone.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, assured the legal community that early preparations are focused on delivering a high-caliber experience that aligns with international organisational standards.
The day’s proceedings also took a significant turn toward professional development with the inauguration of a new co-working space for young lawyers.
Located at the National Secretariat, the facility is a direct response to the structural and economic hurdles facing early-career practitioners.
It offers a professional setting for client consultations and collaborative research, ensuring that junior members remain vibrantly engaged in active practice.
The co-working initiative, spearheaded by the NBA Welfare Committee, was personally funded by its chairman, Chief James Onoja, SAN, and coordinated by Welfare Secretary, Mr. Auta Nyada.
In a tribute to professional excellence, the space was named after former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, whose legacy of mentorship and ethical advocacy served as the inspiration for the project.
While urging local branches to establish similar hubs at their respective bar centers, the NBA also confirmed that registration for the 2026 conference is now officially open, with more details on the speaker lineup and session schedules to follow.
By; Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, said he would not renege on his administration’s commitment to support ex-servicemen and other security personnel within the Local Government area.
Wobodo made this known during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held in Isiokpo, the Headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government.
He said the event provided an opportunity to honour men and women who paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty.
The council chairman described fallen servicemen as national heroes whose sacrifices must never be forgotten by government and citizens alike.
According to him, his administration remains committed to strengthening the local security architecture to enhance peace and safety across Ikwerre communities.
He disclosed that the council has provided operational vehicles and other forms of support to security agencies operating in the area.
The Kelga Council Chairman noted that beyond serving officers, the local government is also focused on the welfare of retired and disabled security personnel.
He also assured that widows of fallen servicemen would not be neglected, stressing that they would be included in the council’s social welfare programmes.
The chairman further emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between the local government and security stakeholders to sustain peace and development.
As part of activities marking the remembrance event, Wobodo made a cash donation to members of the Nigerian Legion in the area.
He urged the legionnaires to maintain a cordial relationship with the local government and to continue supporting peace initiatives.
One of the Ex-service men, Major Joseph Wonuma, stated that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was a significant occasion and appealed to the Council chairman to prioritise welfare, employment and empowerment programmes for ex-servicemen and their families.
By: King Onunwor
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