Rivers

Fubara Handover Mile 1 Market Phase Two to Traders …Names Seven Man Mgt Committee

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2025

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has opened the rebuilt mile 1 , phase 2 Rumuwoji market for public use and as well handed over the shops to certified owners in response to his administration promises to the traders.

The handover of the market was in compliance to the directives given by Gov. Fubara gave to the commissioner, special duties in the governor’s office, Engr. Basoene J, Benibo that the market be opened to the public for use without further delay following out of court settlement by the various contending parties in the leadership of the market.

It will be recalled that the market was burnt down in 2023 and caused a colossal loss to the shop owners and rebuilt by the state government for allocation to the affected traders but continued court litigations hindered the opening of the market and allocation of the shops to the owners m

Speaking at a brief ceremony held at the market last Monday in Port Harcourt to officially open the market and hand over to the beneficiaries, the state commissioner for special duties Governor’s office, Engr. Basoene J Benibo stated that the state Gov. Sir Siminalayi Fubara while empathizing with the traders held several meetings with the parties that went to court and urged them to settle out of court so that the matter can be settled amicably and the market be open to public use.

Benibo disclosed that in heading to the governor’s appeal, Princess Blessing W.S. Georgewill, Mr Godspower Isiodu and Mrs Tamunoiboma Dappa who were the key litigants in the matter obeyed the governor’s plea and withdrew the matter from the court and it was settled out of the court amicably, adding that the governor then directed that certificates of allocation to the allottees of the various stores should commenced since the matter had been settled and withdrawn from the court.

” We begun on the 12th February 2025 in batches of 200 persons to issue certificate of allocation to the allottees of the various stores.
Although,the issuing of certificates is continuous,we have also commenced resolving complaints from Tuesday 11th march, 2025. To this end, original traders whose names did not appear on the list and have genuine complaints are expected to forward their complaints to the Hon commissioner, special Duties Governor’s office for consideration.” he stated.

He further disclosed that the state governor has further plans to construct additional market in the open land at the Rumuwoji market and in other parts of the state.

Meanwhile, a seven member management committee led by Arc Douglas Jack as chairman as been inaugurated to take charge of the market, others include Hilary Johnbull, rep ministry of special duties, governor’s office, Odum Anthony, from SSG office, Princess W.S. Georgewill, leader, Alhaji Sule Abdulahi, Henry Effiong Okon and Madam Celine Nchelem Dike, leaders of mile 1 market phase 2 traders.

The committee is charged with the sole responsibility of running the affairs of the market, and to conduct election of the first market management officers as as soon as possible among other duties.

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Navy Targets Training Reforms To Boost Maritime Operations

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has pledged to strengthen the training of its personnel to ensure improved performance in both sea and land operations across the country.

The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, made this known on Monday during a handover and takeover ceremony held in Ebubu-Eleme, Rivers.

The Tide’s source reports that Zipele succeeded Rear Adm. Robert Obeya following a recent posting exercise that saw the redeployment of 65 senior officers.

Zipele stated that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, had reiterated his commitment to professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence within the Navy.

“This can only be achieved through effective training and retraining of personnel”, he said.

The FOC added that beyond training, his administration would work closely with the Naval Headquarters to enhance training standards and operational efficiency across all Nigerian Navy training institutions.

“President Bola Tinubu deemed it necessary to appoint new Service Chiefs to restructure the nation’s security architecture.

“In line with this mandate of the CNS, one of our key goals is to review and improve our training systems to address contemporary security challenges.

“The CNS is deeply passionate about personnel training because it is essential to achieving operational efficiency in addressing the current security issues facing our nation,” he explained.

Zipele emphasised that every sailor had a crucial role to play in building on the Navy’s existing successes in combating oil theft, sea robbery and piracy, among other maritime crimes.

He noted that NAVTRAC was responsible for overseeing the training of personnel across its professional institutions to prepare them for emerging security threats.

According to him, the Navy’s training programmes will be enhanced through the integration of modern technologies to ensure greater effectiveness.

“The only way to confront security challenges facing our nation is through intensive and continuous training across all formations and units.

“As I assume command of NAVTRAC, I am confident that with the support of the CNS and personnel, we will elevate the standard of training in the Nigerian Navy to greater heights”, Zipele affirmed.

In his remarks, the outgoing FOC, Obeya, said the command achieved significant progress despite some challenges encountered during his tenure.

He commended the officers, ratings and civilian staff for their cooperation and urged them to extend the same level of support to his successor.

“During my command, we prioritised the use of technology, certification, and the accreditation of Nigerian Navy professional courses.

“We developed strategies to revitalise naval training in line with the new platform acquisitions, ensuring that our graduates can compete favourably with their counterparts across the world”, Obeya said.

He added that the command had addressed statutory training requirements and conducted a curriculum review to align with current security realties.

He, however, noted a shortage of the skilled manpower required to effectively deliver training in naval institutions.

Rivers

New Year Festival: Dokubo Urges Citizens’ Reorientation In Cultural Values

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2025

The Tide

The Paramount Ruler of Torusaramapiri, Kalabari ethnic group in Rivers, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has called for citizens’ reorientation in cultural values and heritage.

He made the call at the second edition of the Kalabari New Year festival, organised by the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation at Elem, Kalabari, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Dokubo said it represented a return to the traditional values of the Kalabari people.

He also stressed the need for the people to prioritise their cultural norms and values to preserve their ancestral identity.

“This is not just about celebration, it’s about recreating ourselves, bringing us back from death; it is not just Kalabari, it’s about all of us and our values.

‘’It is time we began to re-evaluate ourselves, join hands, revive our traditional values and heritage so that we don’t loose our cultural identity and spiritual trajectory”, Dokubo said.

Speaking, the Chief Administrator and Chairman of Kalabari Renaissance Foundation (the organisers of the festival), Mr. Awolayeofori Harry MacMorrison, said the event marked the beginning of a new calendar year for the Kalabari people.

He explained that the festival was an annual ritual, observed after November 15 when the tide cleansed the pollution from the popular Sombrero River, describing the annual occurance as a renewal of the Kalabari people.

MacMorrison said though the festival was not new to the people, the initiative by the Renaissance Foundation had made it more unifying.

“It is the renewal of the people, Kalabari area is a saline environment and at specific period of the year, the Sombrero River flows in and pollutes the river.

“However, November 15, across Kalabari, the tide turns and takes all the fresh water that polluted the saline river back to the Sombrero River”, he said.

He explained that with the natural occurrence, the Kalabari calendar year ended every November 15, while November 16 would mark the beginning of the year in the community.

On his part, the President, Tourism Association of Nigeria (EFTAN), Mr. Badaki Aliyu, commended the organisers and the people for preserving their age-long culture.

He also applauded the paramount ruler for sustaining the trend, saying that the festival would continue to promote unity in the area.

“We won’t take this visit for granted, we will do a lot of research and publicity on this.

“We would also ensure that these natural toursm potentials are properly channeled for the economic good of the people”, Aliyu added.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Ikwerre Council Boss Bans Scavenger Operations

Published

2 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, has banned scavenger operations within the area, citing rising security threats, vandalism, and environmental degradation linked to the activity.

Wobodo made the declaration during an unscheduled visit to one of the scavenger sites in Elele Community, recently.

He also expressed concern over the illegal operations being carried out under the guise of scrap collection.

Accordingly, he said the council could no longer tolerate activities that endanger lives and properties.

The Chairman, who was visibly displeased with the level of disorder and environmental nuisance at the site, said several reports had linked scavengers to cases of theft, vandalism of public infrastructure, and unwholesome environmental practices.

“From what I have seen here today, it is clear that these scavengers are operating outside the law. We cannot allow this to continue”, he said.

According to him, the council’s decision to impose a total ban was informed by the increasing security challenges and complaints from residents and community leaders.

“We have received numerous reports of missing cables, stolen manhole covers, and break-ins traced to scavengers. Enough is enough!”, he declared.

Wobodo further disclosed that security agencies had been directed to immediately seal all scavenger sites in the local government area and arrest anyone found operating or aiding such activities.

“Anyone who buys from these illegal operators will be treated as an accomplice. We are determined to rid Ikwerre of all forms of criminals disguised as scavenging”, he said.

During the visit, the chairman ordered the immediate evacuation of all waste materials and condemned the unhygienic state of the site. He described the location as a potential health hazard and an environmental risk to surrounding residents.

Speaking with The Tide after the chairman’s visit, a resident of Elele, Mr. Bright Eke, commended the council’s decision, noting that scavengers had become a source of insecurity in the area.

“We’ve had several cases where they steal electric cables and invade people’s compounds. This action by the chairman is long overdue”, he said.

Meanwhile, the people have called on the KELGA boss to form Environmental and Security taskforce teams in order to begin immediate enforcement of the ban in Elele and other major communities in the area.

By: King Onunwor