Rivers
Rivers Pledges Support For Enhanced Maritime Security
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enhance maritime security, protection of national assets, and economic growth.
Ibas made the remark during a visit by the participants of the Nigerian Naval Warfare College Course 9, who were on a study tour in Port Harcourt, on Monday.
He lauded the initiative of the study tour, themed, “Optimizing Technology for Effective Maritime Security Operations.’’
Ibas emphasised the importance of leveraging modern technology to safeguard national assets, coastal communities, and ensure sustainable economic development.
He commended the Nigerian Naval War College for prioritising technological innovation in maritime security.
Ibas mentioned some of the key maritime security challenges as sea piracy, smuggling, and environmental hazards, saying that the increase requires advanced solutions.
The Sole Administrator reiterated the state readiness to collaborate with federal security agencies and invest in strategic infrastructure and cooperative frameworks to enhance safety on land and at sea.
He urged the participants to ensure that the study tour strengthened collective stakeholder resolve and broadened professional approaches to achieving sustainable maritime security outcomes.
In a speech, the Commandant of the Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, highlighted Rivers’ strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the state accounted for 30 per cent of Nigeria’s coastline, approximately 853km and over 40 per cent of the nation’s crude oil output.
Olodude also noted that the state accounted for 33 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings.
He said that due to the critical assets, transitioning from traditional maritime security methods to optimizing technology ‘’is imperative for addressing contemporary challenges in Rivers’ diverse maritime environment.”
Olodude explained that the study tour underscored the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to fostering operational excellence and technological advancement in maritime security, with the state playing a pivotal role in the national effort.
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The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Eze Godspower Woke Onuekwa, has reiterated that the Ikwerre people have no affiliation with the Igbo ethnic group.
Onuekwa made this statement during the August Meeting of the Okpo Club, hosted by Professor Samuel C. Dike in Port Harcourt, weekend.
He expressed concern that despite the numerous challenges facing the Igbo people, they continue to focus disproportionately on asserting a perceived Ikwerre-Igbo affiliation.
According to him, Ikwerre has its own unique historical and cultural identity, and should be free to associate with any ethnic group of its choice based on mutual respect and free will, not coercion or imposed affiliations.
The Ogbakor Ikwerre leader also stated disappointment that some Ikwerre natives still claim Igbo ancestry, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of their distinct heritage.
In a bid to strengthen the intellectual foundation of the Ikwerre nation, Onuekwa called for a deliberate push to produce at least 700 professors in the near future.
He emphasized that such a move would elevate the Ikwerre people’s status in Nigeria’s competitive academic and socio-political landscape.
“Some tribes in Nigeria already have up to 600 professors. With the current momentum in academia, Ikwerres may soon surpass that figure if we remain focused”, he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Okpo Club, Dr. Promise Iwezor, pledged to provide visionary and inclusive leadership that will drive the group and the entire Ikwerre nation towards its academic and developmental goals.
Iwezor emphasized the need for unity, commitment, and collaboration from all stakeholders, stating that these are key ingredients in overcoming any obstacles to progress.
The host of the meeting, Prof. Samuel C. Dike, a renowned Environmental Law expert, expressed appreciation to members who braved unfavorable weather conditions to attend the event, especially OCJ Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the growth and success of the association.
The Tide gathered that the Okpo Club’s 2025 End-of-Year Meeting and Thanksgiving will include a special honor for Emeritus Professor, Semion C. Achenehu, and Hon. Blessing Eddie-Amadi, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to academic advancement in Ikwerre land.
By: King Onunwor
The Evo III of Evo Kingdom, HM King Leslie N. Eke, Chairman Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, Eze Gbakagbaka, has again called for greater unity, peaceful coexistence, and a renewed national focus on development that benefits all Nigerians.
Eke made this known during a media interaction at his palace in Woji, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at the weekend.
Speaking in a calm and thoughtful tone, the revered Eze Woji XII/Nyerisi Mbam Oro Evo, noted that the strength of any nation lies in the unity of its people.
He also encouraged Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace tolerance, understanding, and dialogue as a way forward for sustainable peace and progress.
“Nation building is a collective task. Every citizen has a role to play, whether in leadership or followership. We must all begin to see ourselves as partners in progress, not as rivals or opponents”, he said.
Eke, who is also the President of the Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, highlighted the importance of traditional institutions in fostering communal harmony and development.
The Evo apex King noted that governments at various levels have made efforts, stronger collaboration with traditional rulers would help deepen trust and improve policy implementation at the grassroots.
On youth development, he advised the younger generation to remain focused, innovative, and positive-minded.
He stressed the importance of education, skill acquisition, and good character as tools for personal and national advancement.
“Our young people are full of potential,” he said. “With the right support and encouragement, they can become drivers of change and not just beneficiaries of it.”
On achievement in infrastructure and social development in Rivers State, he said it’s commendable, but expressed hope that more communities, especially in peri-urban areas, would feel the direct impact of government programmes.
Responding to questions from journalists, the monarch emphasized that peace and development go hand in hand.
He urged families, schools, religious bodies, and community leaders to teach values that promote honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Eze Eke reassured the people of Evo Kingdom of his continued commitment to justice, fairness, and the general wellbeing of all residents.
He pledged to work closely with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure his domain remains peaceful and progressive.
He concluded with a message of hope, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future.
“Let us not lose hope”, he said, “with patience, dialogue, and determination, we can overcome our challenges and build the Nigeria of our dreams.”
By: King Onunwor
Experts have decried abusive use of the digital space by youths and adolescents, and made a strong case for maximisation of opportunities digital technology offers to improve their lots in the society.
The Keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony of the 4th Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Youth Health Development held on Thursday, 14th August, 2025 in Port Harcour, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, made this known in her presentation.
El-Imam, who is also the Commissioner for Health, Kwara State, spoke on yhe theme of the conference, “The Evolving Adolescent and Youth in a Digital Age : Building Resilient Young People in a Changing World.”
In her presentation, she said, “digital addiction can lead to decreased physical activity and poor mental health.”
While acknowledging that “enhanced communication using digital technology fosters social connectivity and opens doors for innovation”, she said it has its downsides, such as “cyber bullying, fraud, misinformation, stress, and anxiety.”
She, therefore, advocated that youths must build resilient through “digital literacy, responsible use of digital technology, mental strength and emotional intelligence.”
Resilience, she explained, is “the capacity of anybody to adapt positively to adversity and change”.
Welcoming participants to the event, the President of Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health In Nigeria (SAYPHIN), Professor Adesegun Fatusi, said this year’s conference “focuses on one of the greatest developments, dynamics and dilemmas in the annals of the world and development of young people – digital technology.”
A renowned Professor of Community Medicine, Fatusi, described the conference as the biggest convening of stakeholders in the adolescent and young people’s health and development field in Nigeria,
“Digital technology has so much potential for good and yet an open door to so many challenges”, he said.
Fatusi continued that the conference is designed to see how participants can be “better positioned to harness the amazing opportunities that digital technology presents for a better future for our young people and nation, equip them with new knowledge, skills and partnerships to address huge challenge that comes from compulsive and abusive use of digital technology by some young people”.
To ensure that the interventions from the conference are pragmatic and implementable, the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the Conference, Professor Omosivie Maduka, said, “we are organising this conference with the adolescents and youths across Nigeria. This is to know the challenges they face and solve them collectively.”
The conference, which was organised by the SAYPHIN, was attended by youths and adolescents in Nigeria, academics, policymakers and supported by development partners, such as UNICEF, UNFPA, and Girl-Effect.
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