Niger Delta

The Day Rivers Players Shone Brightest In Chess Open Championship

Published

7 months ago

May 27, 2024

Precisely from 20th – 24th April 2024 the attention of Nigeria Chess Federation ( NCF) was drawn to Port Harcourt the Garden City of Nigeria as it played host to the third edition of Naphtali Open Chess Tournament,

The five days competition was organised by Naphtali Chess Club, held at Vee Hotel, Trans Amadi ,in Port Harcourt and over 80 players in Nigeria had the opportunity to vie for honours, prizes and to showcase their talents in the tournament.

The championship was sponsored by Naphtali Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic Ltd, and recognised by International Chess Federation (FIDE) with the view to rank chess players in the country.

The Championship was witnessed by huge crowd including notable chess players in the country, people from all walks of life, relatives and friends of the competitors.

The edition had an electrifying start as only eighteen (18) players emerged with a perfect score of 2/2 after the first two rounds, with only four players trailing by half a point.

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Categories that participated in the tournament were; Male, Female, Veteran and Teenage; all these have their different trophies and prizes at stake.

The atmosphere of the venue was captivated with excitement and can be compared to a Brazilian carnival as various fanfare took the stage while the tournament was on.

It was a keenly contested tournament because every player wants to make name for him/herself, most especially those competing for ranking.

There was absolute tranquility and concentrations in the midst of the fanfare as the competition was going on because chess required such serene environment.

One of the matches that drew much attention was between 16-year-old Ferdinand Tersee Nyiuma and seasoned player CM Omorere Benjamin. . The match saw a bold facing Tersee a resolute response from Benjamin .The game was breathtaking as both shared first position.

It was a clash of the titans between Rivers born Koko Obubele and IIouno Ikenna, both players displayed what could be described as top notch Chess artistry, showcasing skills and experience that saw Obubele , who eventually triumphed dubbed the “king of double knights’.

This win earned Obubele the coveted trophy even as both finished tops in the tournament.

It was another exciting and notable encounter between Emmanuel Idara and Dr. Onyekwere Donald, South-East representative of NCF Board. Despite Idara’s status as the top seed, Donald’s steadfast defense and calculated play denied his opponent a place at the summit.

In the female category Rivers State born Queen Dan-Jumbo, made an impressive performance as she emerged the best female player in the Open Championship.

Also special recognition was given to veteran participants, Dr. Apollos Akomaka also from Rivers and veteran female player Amadasun Rosemary, as they received the best veteran prizes.

It is worthy of note that Rivers State currently has the best chess players in Nigeria, following track records both in National Sports Festivals and National Competitions but it is worrisome that the game is not getting the desired attention as other Sports.

Consequently, the acting Chairman of Chess Association in the State, Dr. Appollos Akomaka has appealed to the Commissioner of Education in the State to make it mandatory for Chess to be included extracurricular activities of schools at all levels.

According to him, this will help to develop and promote the game at the grassroots level.

” Chess was a very easy game to play both the rich and poor can play but it requires commitment and determination to get to the peak. I personally started playing Chess as a teenager, it is good to start early.

“Honestly I am excited that I participated in the Open Chess Championship, and am also happy that I won the veteran category of the event”,Akomaka said.

Speaking shortly after the event the winner of the male category, Koko Obubele, said the victory did not come easily and noted that it was a very difficult competition but thanked God he won.

” I am really happy that I emerged the champion in the male category because most of the best chess players in Nigeria participated.

” Right now I am looking forward to international competitions because I have the zeal and talent.But want I really need is sponsorship that is the only way for me to excel and make Nigeria , especially Rivers State proud” Obubele said.

Koko Obubele, is one of the best Chess players in Nigeria, he has won several State and national championships, including West African Universities Games, National Sports Festivals, Shell Chess Championship etc.

Also speaking winner of the best female player award in the tournament Queen Dan-Jumbo , also expressed joy over her victory saying that her dream was to become a Chess Grand Master worldwide.

” I am happy that I won this championship this will spur me to do more and make Rivers State proud.

Tonye Orabere

Niger Delta

Bayelsa, Rivers To Establish Joint Anti-Vandalism Taskforce On National Grid, Others

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

The Governments of Bayelsa and Rivers States have resolved to jointly work towards strengthening security architecture to protect power and other critical national assets in their border communities.

This decision, The Tide learnt, followed the outcome of a meeting between the Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, at the Brick House, Port Harcourt.

In his remarks, Senator Ewhrudjakpo underscored the importance of effective collaboration between the two states to tackle power outage and its attendant socio-economic losses occasioned by criminal activities of vandals.

Lamenting that it cost Bayelsa so much political and financial capital to have power restored after a four-month period of blackout, the Acting Governor stressed the need for urgent and drastic measures to forestall the recurrence of such harrowing experience.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo seized the opportunity to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Prof Odu, for showing concern over the Bayelsa plight and indicating readiness for collaboration to curb the menace.

“For the past four months, the transmission lines between Bayelsa and Ahoada in Rivers State have been vandalized almost three times. And to fix it, TCN was telling us one story after another.

“So, we decided to take it upon ourselves to make sure we fix the line. But having fixed it, what we need to do is to have a team that provides surveillance for that facility so that it will not be easily vandalized again.

“We believe if we have this kind of joint collaboration, it will be easier for our communities to protect the facilities. So we need to have a joint committee that will monitor the line between Rivers and Bayelsa”, the Bayelsa Ag. Governor said.

Earlier, the Rivers State Deputy Governor had assured the Bayelsa delegation of her state’s preparedness to contribute meaningfully towards the fight against transmission lines vandalism.

“We must do something about it because you don’t leave your problems or sweep them under the carpet. If you sweep them under the carpet, they remain there. You have to bring them out and find the strategy that works best to solve them”, Prof. Odu said.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and her Rivers State Local Government Affairs counterpart, Prince Charles Beke, disclosed that both states had resolved to establish anti-vandalization taskforce committees that will work jointly to check the activities of power vandals.

Mrs. Koku-Obiyai, who emphasized the need for active community engagement in the security arrangements, informed that Bayelsa had already constituted and inaugurated a 10-member anti-vandalism taskforce, which has since commenced operations in the state.

Government officials who accompanied Senator Ewhrudjakpo to the meeting which was at the instance of the Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers State were, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Power, Engr Kumoko Kharin.

Others included the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon, Watson Belemote; the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Mr. Bulodisiye Ndiware; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (Rtd); and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Anti-Vandalization Taskforce, CP Mary George (Rtd).

The Chairman of Ahoada West, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo, and that of Ahoada East, Mr. Chibudum Ezu, were part of the Rivers team, while the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was represented by Engr Juliet Ndidi at the meeting.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

C’River Magistrates Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

Magistrates in Cross River State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike last Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.

This is contained in a release jointly signed by the State Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Godwin Onah, and his Secretary, Solomon Abuo.

The Tide’s source reports that the Magistrates noted that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government.

They had earlier embarked on a 3-day warning strike to press home their demands and also warned that they will commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.

They said the government has failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.

According to the statement dated December 8, following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on indefinite strike from Monday, December 9.

“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November, 2024, where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday 22nd November, 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore, with our congress resolution to proceed on a three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6am of Wednesday, 27th November 2024 to Friday , 29th November, 2024.

“If the State Government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met”.

Before the warning strike, the magistrates had earlier in November issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015.

The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly impress to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

Niger Delta

NSCDC Holds Walk Against National Assets Vandalism In Edo

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State has staged a walk to educate the public on the importance of protecting national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised.

State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Gbenga Agun, who led the sensitisation walk, said it was meant to intimate the public of its role in ensuring the protection of the assets at all levels.

“It is to sensitise the people on the importance of guiding our properties, that is, critical national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised”, he said.

Agun noted that protecting national assets was a collective responsibility because it encompassed everyone.

According to him, vandalism can be natural or man-made, and that the economic situation in the country can push some people to engage in destructive activities.

The NSCDC boss, however, encouraged the public to report cases of vandalism at any of the divisional offices in all local governments or the outpost stations.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the command, Mr Sule Muhammed, called for intelligence sharing on vandalism of any national assets for prompt action.

The Tide’s source reports that the walk, which featured the distribution of leaflets to motorists, shop owners, and passersby, began from the command headquarters at the Blessed Avenue in Benin and covered several major roads in the city.