Rivers
Ogonis Endorse Dialogue On Oil Extraction Resumption
Ogoni people in Rivers State have expressed their support for ongoing discussions between Ogoni leaders and the Federal Government regarding the planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland.
This endorsement was contained in a communique issued following a congress attended by Ogoni sons and daughters in Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers.
The Tide’s source recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently met with Ogoni leaders over the proposed resumption of oil activities, which had been suspended since 1993 due to unrest in the area.
The move is part of efforts to increase the nation’s oil production to over 2 million barrels per day before the end of 2025.
Prof. Don Baridam, Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee and signatory to the communique, welcomed the dialogue process.
He stated that residents across Ogoni local government areas, including Eleme, Gokana, Khana, and Tai, supported the dialogue process.
Ignatius Kattey, Archbishop of Niger Delta North, Anglican Church of Nigeria, and Co-Chairman of the committee, read the communique and described the discussions as a defining moment for the Ogoni people.
According to the communique, the Congress of Ogoni People supports the dialogue between the Federal Government and Ogoni leaders and acknowledges the commencement of Ogoni-wide consultations.
“We believe that continued engagement and constructive discussions will lead to lasting solutions that benefit our people and future generations”, he stated.
The communique also recognised the efforts of the facilitators coordinating the process and expressed confidence in their ability to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and transparency throughout the dialogue.
It commended President Bola Tinubu for granting the Ogoni delegation the opportunity for dialogue, saying, it ‘’marks a significant step towards addressing the concerns of the Ogoni people and fostering peace and development”.
It expressed gratitude to National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, and other officials for their support.
It highlighted several confidence-building measures being implemented by the government.
“This includes the signing into law of the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoniland, which is a landmark achievement for educational and environmental advancement in Ogoniland.
“The fast tracking of the completion of the critical East-West Road project from Eleme Junction to Onne Junction, which will enhance connectivity and economic development.
“The implementation of affirmative action to employ Ogoni sons and daughters in key federal institutions, ensuring greater inclusion and representation”, it stated.
The communique further acknowledged the ongoing interventions in infrastructure development, the inclusion of key Ogoni projects in the current national budget, and interventions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
It noted that the steps demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing developmental challenges in Ogoniland and Rivers state as a whole.
“The congress remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice, development, and inclusivity.
“We stand in solidarity with the government in this dialogue process and urge all Ogoni people to embrace unity and cooperation for the greater good of our land”, the communique affirmed.
It, however, reaffirmed the commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement to realise the Ogoni people’s aspirations for development, environmental justice, and economic empowerment.
Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.
It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.
“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.
“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”
“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”
The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.
Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.
To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.
Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.
He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.
Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.
Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.
On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.
The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.