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Phalga Administrator Lauds Ibas Over LG Service Commission Constitution  …. As commission members hold interactive session with LG staff 

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4 months ago

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The Sole Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Barr. Samuel Kalagbor, has commended the Rivers State Government led by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ebok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) for appointing capable hands to pilot the affairs of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
According to a Press Release signed by Mrs. Carol Mathew, the Information Officer of PHALGA, Dr. Kalagbor made the commendation when members of the Commission led by the Chairman, Sir Isreal Amadi, visited the LG for an interactive session with the Staff.
Barr. Kalagbor expressed optimism that given the pedigree of members of the Commission, they will undoubtedly deliver on their mandate due to the wealth of knowledge they possess.
Describing them as worthy Statesmen, he said “they have been trusted, they have also been tested and they have also proven that they are worthy Statesmen who are experienced, who are competent, and who are trusted in various areas.”
He noted that it is the responsibility of the Commission to recruit competent staff for the  LGAs and ensure their training, discipline and promotion for effective governance at the grassroots.
While stressing that the newly inaugurated members of the Commission has a mandate to re-engineer the workforce at various LGAs in the State, he expressed happiness over the fact that the Commission chose to begin with PHALGA as the Premier LGA.
He thanked the Council staff  for the cooperation he has received from them since he assumed office, and assured  members of the Commission on the cooperation of the staff.
In his speech the Chairman of the Commission, Sir Isreal Amadi, said the purpose of the interactive session was to have a heart-to-heart discussion with the staff  to know their concerns with a view to addressing them within the confines of their mandate.
He reiterated the commitment of the Sole Administrator of the State to improve the workforce at the LGAs, a reason for which he has charged them to “professionalise the LGAs by utilizing the skills/professions of the staff to enhance development, drive reforms that will insolate the LGAs form politics and mediocrity, ensure merit-based recruitment,  training and enforcing standards for safety service delivery.”
He added that henceforth trainings will be harmonized and beneficiaries must use the knowledge acquired to improve their work place.
During the interactive session, some staff shared their concerns on delays and modes of payment of pensions and gratuity, financial benefits after promotion, inconsistency in the dates monthly salaries are paid, etc.
Responding to the issues raised,  the Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Luke Urang, said the delay in payment of pensions and gratuity began after the Local Government Pensions Board was merged with the Commission, and assured them that the newly inaugurated Commission will address the issue in due time.
He also pleaded for time that all the concerns raised will be addressed in the shortest possible time.
In his vote of thanks,  the Head, Local Government Administration (HLGA), Comr. Clifford Paul, thanked the Commission’s Chaiman for his admonition and  assured him that the Council’s staff will abide by the ethics of the Commission and wished them success in their tenure.
The Chairman of the Commission was accompanied  by six Commissioners who have been designated specific LGAs to oversee.
The interactive session is expected to be held in all the LGAs in the State.
By: John Bibor
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Rivers

Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election

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2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.

Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.

The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.

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Rivers

Police Arrest Workman Over Attack On Supervisor 

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2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The Boundary Police Division in Aluu Community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has arrested a workman identified simply as Joshua for allegedly attacking a site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, with a broken bottle, leaving him in coma.
According to information gathered by The Tide, the suspect remained in police custody over the weekend while medical personnel struggled to save the victim’s life at an undisclosed hospital in Aluu.
Speaking with journalists after regaining consciousness, Sokari explained that he had hired the suspect to carry out some work at the site for ?20,000.
Trouble reportedly began when Joshua rejected a ?10,000 part payment, which Sokari had offered with a promise to complete the balance after inspecting and confirming the work.
Sokari narrated how the suspect later trailed him to an eatery near the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover, where he attacked him with a broken bottle even after a food vendor handed the full ?20,000 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the incident.
“I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice”, the victim pleaded.
An unverified video clip circulating online showed Sokari with multiple injuries allegedly sustained during the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, the suspect has been arrested. An in-depth investigation is ongoing”, she said.
By; King Onunwor
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Rivers

Degema LGA Affirms Ngeribrama As Autonomous Community

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2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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The authority of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has affirmed the autonomous  status of Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari land, in the LGA.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Michael John Williams, said to he affirmation was to give clarity and uphold dignity of the traditional institutions.
In his words,”the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.”
He disclosed that “following review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council affirmed that Ngeribrama and its satellite communities were officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.”
He also noted that the community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the Council’s recognition of HRH, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.
The recognition, the Council’s Chairman further stated, “reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.”
Affirming the legitimacy and status of the amayanabo, Dr. Williams   reiterated the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional  ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amayanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.
A statement signed by the Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities,  Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry, said the clarification  has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.
The statement said, “The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”
It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, Daniel  Ngeribrama, Ikata II, the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.
The statement noted that the   autonomous status of Ngeribrama was  recognised across Kalabari Kingdom and affirmed historically, culturally  and traditionally.
It  urged the  public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.
“Ngeribrama, located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), maintains its own traditional governance structure”, the statement emphasised.
Enumerating the  traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama has other supporting structures with a duly constituted Council of Chiefs.
One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George, who is Da-Daigbani II.
The community, it further stated, has Elders’ Council, as well as Women and Youth Leadership.
“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child, his daughter, Princess Iwori, whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama Community”, the statement continued.
It concluded that “Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
By: Kevin Nengia
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