Rivers

Hausa Leader Urges Youths To Embrace Peace, Dialogue

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

The Chairman of Hausa Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Shittu Sarkin has urged protesting youths to embrace dialogue by engaging government on the round table.
He also pledged unalloyed loyalty to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration in the State and that of the leader of Simplified Movement in Eleme Local Government Area, Ambassador Oji Ngofa.
Alhaji Shittu stated this in his office at Trailer Park, Eleme on heels of people agitating for better governance tagged “End Bad Governance” Shittu urged them to maintain peace and shun violence assured that his people in Eleme will not be part of any protest.
He urged the youths to toe the path of peace saying they are in love with the peaceful administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and that of their leader, Amb. Oji Ngofa, the leader of Simplified Movement in Eleme.
The Chairman Hausa community in Eleme Local Government Area noted he has been living and doing business in Eleme for the past 32 years, and therefore condemned in strong terms the 2020 End SARs protest that killed his 37 years old son- a heavy duty mechanic engineer for no reason and till today, no government, no agency has come to his aid, plead with the youth to be law abiding and shun violence that will endanger their lives.
He thanked the King of Eleme, HRM Philip Osaro Obele for his hospitality to the Hausa community living and doing business in Eleme Kingdom, and assured that the people will continue to maintain existing peace in the area.
On the issue of local government elections coming up in October 5, the Chairman Hausa Community, Shittu said his people will participate actively in the local government election and vote whoever Oji Ngofa asks them to vote.
He advised Nigerian youths to give President Tinubu more time for his administration to deliver democracy dividends, noting that the administration is barely a year plus and needed ample time address pressing national matters.
He pointed out that the protest will not change anything but enjoined citizens to support the government at all levels for the good of the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Fulani people in Rivers State and South South zone Alhaji Yu Mogodu advises the youths to follow the footsteps of the elderly ones because protest will not bring anything good but evil, advised that problem can not solve problem but to engage in peaceful dialogue that will bring peace, progress and harmony in the nation, stated that the Fulani people in Rivers State will not join in the protest but plead for more time in this administration
Alhaji Mogodu urged residents to live peacefully and maintain cordial relationships in Eleme kingdom, adding that the Fulanis have their own school for boys and girls here in Eleme, as he commended Governor Fubara are administration in the state for promoting good governance in the state.
He promised that the Fulanis will continue to maintain the peace in Eleme and other parts of Rivers State.

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

11 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

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.

Rivers

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

Published

11 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

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

Rivers

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

Published

11 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

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.