Rivers
Bonny Protest Neglect, Seeks CSR MoU Implementation
A protest by Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State have given ultimatum to international oil firms and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNGL) operating in the island on the need to transform the island in line with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) provided by the Train 7 agreement.
The Chairman of Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC), Amaopusenibo Amairigha Hart, accused the oil and gas multinationals of neglecting their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations, marginalizing Bonny people, and violating agreements.
Hart warned that the Kingdom would no longer tolerate what he called the flagrant disregard for its developmental needs.
“Bonny Kingdom is known for its peaceful and hospitable nature, but this should not be mistaken for weakness. While individuals, nations, and organizations hail Bonny Island as a blessed geographic location, the land and people have very little to smile about.
“This stems from the abject neglect, total exclusion, rights and privileges denial, and obnoxious disregard for the people of Bonny Kingdom in the scheme of things with regards to how the companies operating in Bonny Island do their businesses”, he said.
Indigenes of the island had planned to begin an indefinite shutdown on January 13, 2025, to demand the implementation of stalled development projects and agreements.
However, the BKDC announced the suspension of the protest following interventions by NLNG and security agencies, who requested an opportunity for dialogue.
“While the plans to commence the protest were at their peak, government agencies and NLNG reached out to us for a chance to discuss and resolve the issues amicably. The Kingdom considered the requests and had decided to suspend the planned peaceful protest”, he explained.
Despite this temporary suspension, the BKDC stressed that it remains steadfast in its demands.
“This is a strong note of warning: things cannot remain as they are. A people grounded may be buried but cannot die twice”, Hart stated.
The BKDC Chairman decreied the failure to implement the CSR projects under the NLNG Train-7 project, including road expansions, construction of a mini-stadium, a waste-to-wealth facility, and other infrastructure.
He alleged that despite adequate funding from Train 7 investors, NLNG has withheld the project funds and failed to deliver.
“For emphasis, NLNG and SCD-JV signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to execute the following projects in the Kingdom under the Train 7 Project: Expansion of the road from Shell Gate to Coal Beach with a spur from Amaomu Junction to the King Perekule Palace; construction of a 5,000-capacity mini-stadium and sports academy; construction of a vehicular terminal; and construction of a 2.5km road from Workers’ Camp to Simidia Junction. But none of these projects has seen the light of day up till now.
“Interestingly, the people of the Kingdom are well aware that investors in the Train 7 Project provided adequate funds for the implementation of CSR projects in the Kingdom, but unfortunately, NLNG has ensnared these funds in its custody and continued to exercise sole authority over them without any input from the Kingdom”, Hart alleged.
He further lamented the poor living conditions in Bonny despite its immense contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He continued that “As at today, Bonny Island lacks clean, potable, and drinkable water. It lacks basic social amenities. There are no internal roads except the few constructed by the Bonny Local Government.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road remains under construction since 1975 and is yet to be completed. Roads in the Kingdom remain one-lane narrow roads despite the intense traffic utilization occasioned by the activities of these companies”.
Noting that the kingdom is grappling with severe environmental degradation, Hart said, “The shores around Bonny Island continue to be washed away by the sea waves, a situation aggravated by the strong waves caused by the heavy traffic of large seagoing vessels owned and operated by the multinationals.
“The air pollution is at an all-time high with attendant environmental and health hazards which residents of the Island are being subjected to. Acid rain is a normal occurrence, which continues to undermine the sustainability of buildings in the Island”.
The BKDC further urged the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, and IOCs to take immediate action to address the Kingdom’s grievances, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed action from the people.
“This is a cry for help by the people of Bonny Kingdom and a strong note of warning that things will no longer remain as they are. It is time for the Federal and State Government as well as the companies operating in the Kingdom to rise to the occasion and act right, urgently and in the interest of Bonny people”, Hart stated further.
The committee emphasized that while the Kingdom values dialogue and collaboration, it expects concrete results and a change in attitude from the companies operating within its borders.
In his response, the management of NLNG, through the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia Horsfall, assured stakeholders that plans for Train 7 CSR projects remain on course.
Kevin Nengia
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A Paramount Ruler in Rivers State, Nyenweli Elele-Alimini, in Emohua Local Government Area, Eze Peter Wagbara CP (rtd.), has called for the profiling of residents in his domain in order to forestall security threats and challenges.
The Nyenweli made the call at the weekend during the Ogbakor Elele Alimini 2026 first meeting held at their Kingdom Civic Centre in Elele, Alimini.
According to him, the step would help relevant authorities to keep tabs on residents and curtail criminality in the area.
The Paramount Ruler promised indigenes and non-indigenes living and doing business in the area of adequate security of their lives and properties.
“Inspite of the negative reports about insecurity in part of the country, I want to assure the people and residents of Elele Alimini of adequate protection of their lives and properties, hence the need for water-tight security throughout the nooks and crannies of Elele Alimini.
“Following the influx of people into Rivers State, particularly Elele Alimini right now, I want to charge chiefs and landlords in our kingdom to profile their tenants, religious leaders of the various faith-based organizations and commercial transporters in our domain”, Eze Wagbara said.
The retired Commissioner of Police stated that despite the violence and banditry in parts of the country, chiefs and elders as well as leaders of thoughts within his area would work closely to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents of Elele Alimini, adding that “it is one God, one Elele Alimini, and one destiny” under his reign.
He commended members of Elele Alimini Council of Chiefs and Elders as well as the CDC Chairman and the Youth President for their contributions toward the socio-economic development of the area.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Elele Alimini Gospel Ministers Forum (EAGMF), Apostle Hope Abikari, said there were a lot of churches serving God in Elele Alimini with different doctorines and practices and stressed on the need for confidentiality in handling of religious matters and related issues in the area.
“Eze Sir, I want to inform you that there are a lot of churches at Elele Alimini today serving God. In fact, this invite to religious leaders at Elele Alimini is very crucial. There is need to arrange for a fresh private meeting with religious leaders in Elele Alimini, which should be confidential. I suggest that a committee be set up to look into the activities of churches in Elele-Alimini”, he added.
He described Eze Wagbara as a Monarch who has the interest of his subjects at heart, and lauded Eze Wagbara and his Council of Chiefs, as well as members of Ogbakor Elele Alimini for their quality leadership in the kingdom.
On his part, the Chairman of Motor Cycle Operators Union of Nigeria, Elele Alimini Branch, Comrade Obuah Emeka, said members of the union who operate within Elele Alimini and Elele Okinali would render efficient services to commuters/passengers in the area.
Comrade Emeka explained that members of the union were not involved in crimes, noting that they do not constitute nuisance to the society.
He, however, promised to co-operate with the leaders of Elele Alimini in order to ensure safety within the area.
The management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENOOLY), Bori, has matriculated a total of 4, 350 students into the 2025/2026 academic session.
The management said the matriculation ceremony is officially admitting students into various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in sciences, Engineering, Environmental and Management Technology, spreading in five different schools of the institution
Speaking at the event, the Acting Rector of the school, Dr. George Chile Wadike, told the matriculants that “the matriculation marks the beginning of a long and challenging, but fulfilling journey in your academic development. I implore you to be resilient, focused and dedicated to the primary reasons you are here”.
The polytechnic, Wadike said, “does not tolerate any form of indecency from students, social vices like examination malpractice, theft, cultism and other violences in any form, which attract outright expulsion.
“The Polytechnic is a place where you enjoy a lot of freedoms, but that freedom often comes with some corresponding obligations as your freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins.
“So, not only must you protect your rights, privileges and freedom, you must also ensure that you do not trample on the rights, privileges and freedom of Others.
“I, therefore, recommend that you emulate the examples of your mentors and lectures in self discipline, self care, good mode of dressing, fedelity to studies and work and general comportment so that you will not be found wanting.”
He continued that “Kenpoly is positioned to be a trailblazer in good governance, accountability and transparency within the firmament of Nigeria’s educational system.
“We have no doubt that this polytechnic is strongly positioned to solve some of the nations problems of unemployment by graduating not only self-employable youths, but also youths that are themselves employers of labour.”
He announced to the matriculants and parents that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has introduced a new intervention line with the Career Development Centers.
Wadike said the new intervention is purposely for the initiation, taking-up and continuous maintenance of Student Career Guidance.
By: Chinedu Wosu
A group under the aegis of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), Rivers State Branch, has called on the state government to build a designated traditional medicine hospital in the state.
They said this will enable the state government actualise full realisation of its healthcare service delivery programmes and maximize the potentials of its members in the state’s health sector.
The State Chairman of the MTMPN, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu, made the call after the group’s general meeting in Port Harcourt, weekend, noting that the modern traditional medicine practitioners in the state are ready to partner with the government to contribute their own quota towards the development of the health sector.
Eze Ogbu, who is a member of the Rivers state government approved Board of Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), urged members to choose area of specialisations and not be jack of all trade, while also exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in their practice, and conducting their operations in a clean environment.
The Onye Ishi Agwuru of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of the state hinted that a committee has been set up by the TCAM Board to clamp down on unlicensed practitioners and use the opportunity to call on the state government to invest in traditional medicine to boost revenue and create jobs.
Also speaking, the Chairman of MTMPN, Obio/Akpor LGA Chapter, Dr. Dede Temple Owhadah, said the association is training members on modern practices in order to improve their efficiency in the treatment of patients across the state.
He called on herbal and traditional medicine practitioners in the state to get trained and be educated in their areas of specialisation to remain relevance in the practice
Owhadah warned that the taskforce will go after unlicensed practitioners after the training period and urged governments at all levels to work with the registered professionals in their domain to flush out unqualified practitioners and to tap into the profession’s human resources to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state.
He stressed that members of the group are celebrated researchers who have manufactured certified drugs as cures for various diseases and ailments.
“What we are doing is that we are training and educating our members to improve on their proficiency and modern practices they desire to operate with. After this, we are going to come after those unqualified practitioners and clampdown on them across the entire state.
“Whether you are selling herbal medicine in the street, bone setters, or using any form of herbs and alternative medicine to treat people, we are going to shut such areas down without any recognised government approval at the end of the training session”, he stated
On her own. Dr. Gorgeous Chinyere Adichie commended the group for the education and training of their members to update them with the needed professional experience in the practice.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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