Rivers
Commission Tasks CSOs, Others On Accountability
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has tasked civil society organisations, individuals and groups to demand for openness and accountability from governments at the State and local government levels.
The commission, which stated this in a resolution at the end of a two-day South-South Zonal retreat in Port Harcourt, called on state governments in the country that are yet to demosticate the Fiscal Responsibility Law to do so.
While canvassing for better accountability at the subnationals, it acknowledged the giant strides made in financial accountability and transperancy, stressing the need for it not to regress.
Speaking to newsmen, Chairman of the commission, Barrister Victor Muruako, said the retreat was to liaise with civil societies and other stakeholders in the South-South with a view to promoting transperancy and accountability in governance both at the states and the various local government councils across the zone.
He said it was for this reason that the commission invited relevant stakeholders to the retreat.
“The essence of the programme is for us to come down to the grassroots or sub-nationals to see how we can help the sub-national government officials and members of civil society groups in the South-South zone.
“The aim is to continue to engage with stakeholders and public finance management officials at the sub-national level”, he explained.
Muruako said time has come for both civil society organisations and other stakeholders to demand accountability from States and local governments as they are part and parcel of the Nigerian federation.
“Accountability is not just at the Federal or National level, we all have one economy, there is no different economy for Federal Government and another one for States, it is one Nigerian economy”, he said.
He noted that the concept of fiscal federalism entrenched in the country requires both the federal and sub-national governments to be accountable to the citizenry as far as revenue and expenditure are concerned.
Muruako said his Agency does more of engagement, “we discussed how states can adopt some federal laws, particularly the reform policies of the Federal Government”.
He also called on state governments yet to demosticate the law to do so in the interest of their people.
Speaking on the topic, “Role of Civil Society Organisations in Promoting Fiscal Responsibility”, a High Court Judge, Hon. Justice K. A. Ojiako, called on civil society organisations to play more roles in promoting transperancy and accountability at sub-national governments.
He said they can do this through regular monitoring and over sight anticorruption effort and advocacy campaign.
According to him, civil societies can also take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to compel governments both at state and local government levels to render account of stewardship to their people.
He said various judicial reforms in the country have made it possible for civil society organisations to seek redress as far as accountability was concerned.
John Bibor, Nancy Matthew
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), through its Directorate of Research and Development, has trained lecturers and Postgraduate Students on scholarly writing and research commercialisation.
The three-day Training Workshop, themed, “Research Commercialisation and Digital Project Supervision”, which kicked-off on October 13, 2026, provided an opportunity to strengthen lecturers’ research capacity, in addition to embracing innovative approaches to academic practice, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, which quoted the Director of Research and Development, Professor Nduka Wonu.
The Director noted that the discussions focused on supporting students and lecturers to improve academic writing and publication through effective mentorship and the development of publication-ready research teams.
It also focused on supervising research projects smarter with digital systems by leveraging digital dashboards, cloud collaboration and project tracking tools to improve supervision and feedback.
According to the Director, the discussions further “focused on setting standards for the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence among academics to promote academic integrity and guide the appropriate use of emerging technologies.
“Finally, on writing concept notes and grant proposals, identifying funding opportunities and building partnerships to strengthen research funding, collaboration, commercialisation and societal impact.”
These focus areas, he said, are essential for improving research productivity, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the University’s research profile.
Professor Wonu encouraged all to participate actively, share experiences and apply the knowledge gained in teaching, supervision and research activities.
While declaring the workshop open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, praised the Directorate for the training programme, which he emphasised is very important for research ethics and the growth of academic staff.
He encouraged staff to take advantage of research grants, to partner and collaborate with others, and to go into consultancy as a way of earning additional income and improving society.
He also encouraged those in Environmental Science and Oil and Gas related fields to involve industries in their research or work in conjunction with industries for exposure to modern research techniques.
Also speaking, the Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Dr. Anne Chidinma Williams, said the workshop explored practical ways to improve academic writing, develop grant concept notes and proposals, increase the visibility of publications, use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and strengthen digital research supervision.
She encouraged participants to turn knowledge into solutions that benefit the University and society.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a 24-year-old woman who was abducted on her arrival in Port Harcourt to meet a friend she met online.
The police also arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of luring victims through online dating platforms.
Confirming the arrests, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation.
The victim, identified as Chinyere, reportedly travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit the acquaintance, but was allegedly kidnapped along Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident was reported to the police on October 4, 2026, at about 9 a.m., prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to direct operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Diobu, to investigate the case and secure the victim’s release.
The police operatives subsequently rescued the woman and arrested five suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, from Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi; Bright Augustine, 27, from Akukabu Community in Etche; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, from Akukabu; and Obinachi Rita, 26, the only female suspect.
The suspects were reportedly arrested at different locations following intelligence gathering and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s abduction.
She said information obtained from the suspects had also provided investigators with leads regarding other kidnapping incidents reported around the Igwuruta and Etche axis.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly admitted using online dating platforms to establish contact with prospective victims from within and outside Port Harcourt before luring them into physical meetings and abducting them.
The development has raised concerns over the potential misuse of online dating platforms by criminal elements to identify, deceive and target unsuspecting individuals.
The Command advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online, particularly those who request physical meetings without sufficient verification of their identities.
It further urged residents to inform trusted persons of their movements when meeting people encountered online and to choose public locations for initial meetings as a precaution against possible criminal attacks.
The police reiterated their commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.
King Onunwor
The Rivers State Association of The Deaf has called on the State Government to strengthen the implementation of disability rights laws, and construct more schools for deaf children in the state.
It also called for the expansion of employment and empowerment opportunities for persons with hearing impairments in the state.
The association made the call recently at the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week held at the Women Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt,
The week has as its theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights: Advancing Deaf People’s Human Rights in Rivers State.”
The programme, organised by the Rivers State Association of the Deaf (RSAD), was aimed at raising awareness about the rights, welfare and challenges of deaf persons and promoting theirinclusion in governance, education, healthcare, employment and other aspects of society.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Henry Obotu, said one of the major challenges confronting deaf persons in Rivers State was their exclusion from government activities and inadequate access to public information because of communication barriers.
Obotu called for the effective implementation of disability rights legislation, stressing that deaf persons should enjoy equal opportunities and participate fully in public life.in public life.
He noted that government announcements and other important information were often disseminated without sign language interpretations, thereby making it difficult for deaf persons to understand issues affecting them.
Obotu urged media organisations to incorporate captions and subtitles into their broadcasts and public information materials to ensure that members of the deaf community were not left behind.
According to him, the establishment of specialized schools and learning centres for deaf persons, their educational and communication needs required appropriate attention and support.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Association of theDeaf, Comrade So-oriari T. Beneth, called for greater government support for the deaf community, including skills acquisition programmes, employment opportunities and improved educational facilities.
Beneth expressed appreciation to the state government for its support for the association, but stressed the need for sustained commitment to the welfare and empowerment of deaf persons.
He identified education, economic empowerment and accessibility as key areas requiring government intervention, and urged authorities to provide adequate resources for schools serving deaf students and expand vocational training and employment opportunities.
According to him, investing in the deaf community would enable its members to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of Rivers State.
Godslove Justice, Sunday Naomi &Christopher Kelechi
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