Rivers

Group Decries Claim Over Bukuma Royal Stool

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

The Council of Chiefs in conjunction with the amalgam of all statutory bodies in Bukuma, “Agum Itu Omora”, Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has decried claims by one Mr. Precious Elekima that he is the paramount ruler of Bukuma.

In a Vanguard news report of Thursday, January 23, 2025, titled: NNPCL Disobeys court order on cluster establishment, Mr. Precious Elekima was addressed as the “Paramount ruler of Bukuma”.

Reacting to the claims of Precious Elekima, the Chairman of Agum Itu Omora, Dr. Igbarima Alex, said it was a “gross misinformation, a deliberate intent to mislead the public and an affront on the sensibility of the people of Bukuma Community to address Mr. Precious Elekima as ‘Paramount Ruler of Bukuma’.

He stated that King Stephen J. Tobins, Akee X remained the only recognized Royal Highness of Bukuma.

According to Dr. Alex, while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, His Highness Tobins is recognized by the Rivers State Government and is a member of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and can only be derecognised by the Rivers State Governor.

He continued that “the claims of one Mr. Precious Elekima over the royal stool of the community is spurious and lacks validity, for there cannot be two monarchs in a community at the same time.

Speaking on behalf of the Council of Chiefs of Bukuma (Agum), Chief Usman Ngeribo Douglas, the Public Relations Officer of the Council, also stated that there was no time Precious Elekima was installed a Chief in the community.

Giving historical antecedents of ascendance to the royal stool of the community, he said Precious “is not an installed chief of Bukuma and does not belong to the Royal family, and so cannot be a traditional ruler of the community.

“Ascendance to the kingship stool of the community alternates between the Attah and Alalibo Families of Krigbo Group of families since the reign of King Akee (1771-1801) who succeeded King Odu of the extinct Omoh Group of Families.

“Historically, the 10 kings that have ruled the Bukuma Community from the 16th Century A.D. when the people settled at the present place of abode, none is from the family of Mr. Precious”.

He stated past monarchs from Krigbo Group of Families as: King Akee IV (1771-1801); King Ekine, V (1801-1838), King Attah, VI (1840-1884); King Alalibo, VII (1886-1904); King Ikiriko, VIII (1906-1952); King Stanley Tobins, IX (1962-2005).

“To put the records straight, the present King, Stephen J. Tobins, X was installed in 2013 and was subsequently recognized by the Rivers State Government”, he added.

Douglas urged the public, the Rivers State Government, Degema Local Government Area Chairman, NNPCL, AGIP, NLNG and all multinational companies to discountenance claims of Precious as being the monarch of Bukuma Community.

The spokesmen described such claims as “the antics of a self-seeking and over ambitious personality that can only happen in this case only when elephants can fly like birds”.

Rivers

100 Days: UPTH CMD Harps On Brain Drain, Anti-Corruption

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Chituru Godswill Orluwene, has identified brain drain and corruption as critical challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.

Orluwene, who made this known during a press briefing to mark his first 100 days in office, in Choba, declared that his administration is tackling both issues headlong as part of efforts to reposition the institution.

He noted that the stewardship session was aimed at rendering account of his leadership and setting a transparent benchmark for performance going forward.

“This 100 days is to render stewardship and give account of our activities, while we tackle corruption headlong within the system”, he said.

Addressing concerns over the exodus of medical professionals, the CMD said, poor working conditions have contributed significantly to brain drain, but that ongoing reforms are beginning to address these challenges.

He expressed optimism in the efforts of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that, Government is repositioning the health sector, especially in remuneration and infrastructure.

On corruption, Prof. Orluwene stressed, “We have taken decisive steps to block all financial leakages and ensure accountability in our operations.”

He disclosed that a staff verification exercise exposed irregularities, stating that “Out of over 4,000 staff on the payroll, only about 2,000 presented themselves for verification.

“As a result, over 1,000 salaries have been stopped due to discrepancies identified during the exercise.”

Highlighting policy reforms, the CMD said, feeding of patients has now been standardized at ?5,000 for three meals, while other charges have been reviewed downward.

On infrastructure, he said “The Accident and Emergency Department was in a poor state before, but today it has undergone massive renovation.”

Speaking on power supply, he revealed: “With the solar power project on ground, UPTH will soon enjoy 24-hour electricity supply. Our goal is to make UPTH a hub for medical tourism in the near future.”

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Social Welfare Ministry Accepts UNIPORT’s Training, Vulnerable Database Proposal

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation has revealed that it will consider new proposals by the University of Port Harcourt to engage its staff on refresher training and a state-wide database initiative for vulnerable persons, to ensure efficient service delivery and data-driven planning in the state.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lauretta Davies-Dimpka, disclosed this when she received a delegation from the University of Port Harcourt, led by a Professor of Social Work and Community Development, Prof. Daniel Uranta, which also include some of his PhD students, during a courtesy visit to her office, Friday.

She described the visit as “timely to get our staff up to speed regarding current standards in social work practice”, and assured the visiting team that their proposals, including a one-month certificate programme for staff and a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee, would be reviewed.

She added that the ministry’s doors are open for collaboration and partnership, noting that with collaborative effort, social work will achieve greater impact and professionalism in the state.

Earlier, Prof. Uranta said the visit was to formally introduce himself and seek collaboration to strengthen the existing partnership between the university and the ministry.

He proposed four key areas of cooperation: refresher training for ministry staff, a one-month certificate programme on social work for staff, development of a state-wide database for vulnerable persons across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, and strengthening of a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee.

The UNIPORT Professor noted that the proposals are aimed at improving case management and welfare response across the state.

The courtesy visit ended on a cordial note, with both parties expressing willingness to collaborate and review the proposals.

Rivers

Ogoloma Fishermen Association Laud Okrika Chair On Grassroots Dev

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2026

The Tide

The Fishermen Association of Ogoloma Community has commended the Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, for his commitment to grassroots development and the empowerment of local fishermen.

The Association made the commendstion during a courtesy “thank-you” visit by members of the association to the council chairman, following the distribution of fishing equipment aimed at boosting productivity and livelihoods within the riverine community.

Speaking during the visit, Chief Tobin expressed gratitude to the fishermen for their show of appreciation, noting that their success remains a top priority of his administration.

He stated that the empowerment initiative through the provision of fishing canoes, nets, and hooks was designed to enhance economic activities and improve living standards in Ogoloma and other parts of Okrika.

“I am encouraged by your visit and your progress so far. This administration is committed to supporting our local fishermen to thrive. There will be a second phase of the human capital development programme, and we will do even more to uplift the fishing community,” the Chairman assured.

The Chairman reiterated his administration’s dedication to inclusive development, stressing that empowering local industries such as fishing is key to sustainable economic growth in the region.

Responding on behalf of the Association, its spokesperson, Elder Kaizer Kiniminabo, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the council boss.

He acknowledged the impact of the empowerment programme on the fishermen’s productivity and welfare.

“On behalf of our matron, Hon. Linda Stewart Somiari, and Hon. Royal Ateke, we express our sincere gratitude to the Executive Chairman for his magnanimity and commitment to the well-being of fishermen in Ogoloma. We pray for the continued success of his administration,” Kiniminabo stated.

As a token of appreciation, the association presented gifts, including dry fish and other locally sourced items to the chairman, symbolizing their gratitude and support.

The visit highlights the growing collaboration between local authorities and community stakeholders in fostering development and economic empowerment across Okrika Local Government Area.

By: Michael T. Abraham