Rivers

Info Perm Sec Hints On Plan To Fence The Tide Premises … Training For Information Officers

Published

5 days ago

August 8, 2025

The Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications says it has secured approval from the government for the fencing of the premises of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Tide Newspaper.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Honour Sirawoo, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on him by Executive of The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, further said the Ministry has also secured approval for the training of about one hundred information officers.

Sir Sirawoo said the ministry is working hard to start its online publication, adding that to this end, the Ministry’s website, which has been moribund for sometime now, is being revived.

According to him, “We are going to start an online publication. We feel that this ministry can generate revenue just like the media houses.

“Because the only difference between them and us is that we have a full administrative structure, and if we expect them to generate revenue, we should also generate revenue.

“I think they have commenced the process of working on the website.”

The Permanent Secretary further stressed the need for staff of the ministry and its parastataals to be regular at work, adding that the ministry under his watch will not condone absenteeism and lateness to work.

“You know that when you come to work, you must do the right thing even if you are my friend”, he warned.

He said Information Officers at the local government areas must work as a way to realize their expertise, adding that they must report events in their areas to enable the ministry properly inform people about the state.

Meanwhile, Sir Sirawoo has called for collaboration between the NUJ and the ministry.

“We must work together to see that we enlighten people on what is appropriate and what is not appropriate.

“I also want to say that as a union we serve the government of the day, even if you have to critique the government you must get your facts right”, he said.

The Permanent Secretary, who blamed successive leaderships of the union for the dilapidated nature of the NUJ Secretariat, said time has come for the union leadership to work out an arrangement whereby the union’s secretariat can be made to generate revenue and income for the union.

He said one way of doing this is by leasing the edifice to private investors for its management and maintenance.

Sirawoo congratulated the union’s leadership for the peaceful outcome of the just-concluded NUJ election and urged the leadership to work as a team for the realization of set goals.

Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State Council, Comrade Paul Bazia, described the posting of Sir Sirawoo to the Ministry of Information and Communications as a home coming.

Comrade Bazia expressed optimism that Permanent Secretary will do well in the ministry, especially with his background as a cub reporter who rose from the rank and file to a Permanent Secretary.

“You have grown through the ranks from a cub reporter to become a Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, covered NDDC, and various beats.

“You rose to become chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State on two occasions, President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and you have become a Permanent Secretary.

“You have vast experience on the field as a journalist, and you are in deployment to the Ministry of Information and Communications at this time”, he said.

Mr. Bazia said the NUJ under his leadership is working hard to change the narrative of the state, adding in doing this the state-owned media houses must be revived to meet up its responsibilities.

According to the Chairman, “We are going to showcase the areas where the state has strength and where there are investment opportunities.

“We plan to also host a media summit later in the year around September to also look at the opportunities that we have in the blue economy, the tourism sector”, he said.

John Bibor & Edidiong Johnson

Rivers

Omoku High Court Reassigns Contempt of Suit To Chief Judge

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, has ordered that the case file seeking for court contempt instituted against

Elder Samuel Okwuchukwu Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni) former Director General of Rivers State Pension Board for parading himself as the King and Paramount ruler of Ndoni be transferred to Chief Judge of the State.

The claimants, Prof Franklin Odua Chukuma and the Omeke ishiale Royal family approached the Omoku High Court for contempt against Elder Ijomah as he continually parade himself.

Justice D.G. Kio in his judgment delivered on November 12, 2024 affirmed Prof Franklin Odua Chukuma as the rightful Paramount ruler of Ndoni Kingdom from Omeke Oshiale royal family.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the case was referred, the lawyer to the claimants, Barrister Frank Okpara, applauded the judge for referring the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment to avoid being accused of bias.

“It is good that the judge referred the case to Chief Judge of Rivers State for onward reassignment, hence previous case was determined by Port Harcourt High Court.

“This contempt of court suit filled by the Claimants was to formally tell the court that Elder Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni Kingdom) did not obey the court ruling, hence he is still parading himself as the King. I believe the reference will be in favour of my clients, because it will finally put to stop anybody parading himself as the King’. Barrister Okpara said.

Earlier, Chief Obi lkwumadi, a prominent member of the Ndoni Council of Chiefs, had said that the court in its wisdom confirmed Prof. Franklin Odua Chukwuma as king and Awoh of Ndoni Kingdom respectively and advised people of the kingdom to obey the court judgement.

He equally stated that the State Government and former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili should not recognize Elder Ijomah as the king, after

perceived plans to coronate him during Easter period and consequently present staff of office to him.

“We the Omeke Oshiale royal family reaffirms our commitment to uphold the traditions and customs of Ndoni Kingdom, ensuring peace and stability in the community”, he said.

It will be recalled that Elder Samuel Okwuchukwu Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni) former Director General of Rivers State Pension Board who is now parading himself as the King and Paramount ruler of Ndoni was not in the suit No: PHC/2230/CS/2020, between Engr. Prof. Franklin Oduah Chukuma and Dr. Dunelm Esumei, Arch. Alex Esumei, Chief Frank Amifor , chief Albert Ajieh and Mr. Chuks Ikenga.

The judgement clearly stated that Engr. Professor Franklin Odua Chukuma is the rightful Paramount ruler of Ndoni Kingdom from Omeke Oshiale royal family, in accordance with customs and traditions of the Kingdom.

Rivers

Police Recover 22 Vehicles From Car-snatching Syndicate In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has dismantled a 12-member car-snatching syndicate accused of stealing more than 22 vehicles across the country.

Spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the arrests followed an intelligence-driven raid conducted across several states.

Iringe-Koko said the operation commenced in September 2024 after one Mr Enoch Daniel reported that his Toyota Hiace bus had been stolen at Trailer Park, Onne, in Port Harcourt.

She stated that investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 40 and 45 respectively.

The police spokesperson said the two suspects, who were both ex-convicts, confessed that they were hired by somebody to steal the vehicle, using hammers.

“The ex-convicts were each paid N90,000 for carrying out the theft”, she said.

Iringe-Koko explained that further intelligence from the suspects resulted in the arrest of other members of the syndicate in Kano and Akwa Ibom states.

She said in Kano, the police apprehended two suspects who were found in possession of two stolen vehicles, while a dismissed police officer was arrested in Akwa Ibom, with 11 vehicles believed to have been stolen.

The police spokesperson continued that further investigations revealed that the syndicate is coordinated by a suspect, currently at large, whose network spanned Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Delta, Enugu, Kano and Rivers states.

She said stolen vehicles were smuggled via the suspect’s agent (now in custody) and sold in Cameroon either whole or dismantled for parts.

Iringe-Koko mentioned another 53-year-old suspect and ex-convict and the Port Harcourt liaison for the syndicate, who admitted receiving more than N5 million in payments over eight months.

Others, she said, were two suspects who were both auto-electricians modifying stolen vehicles for export as well as a 45-year-old suspect who was the group’s spiritual leader and broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market in Onitsha.

She also said that another suspect, an ex-convict, acted as the syndicate’s field operator in Port Harcourt, while yet another was arrested attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry car.

“These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers State a hostile environment for criminals to operate freely.

“All 12 suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” she stated.

Iringe-Koko said efforts were ongoing to arrest both the ring leader of the syndicate and other identified suspects still at large, urging residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information.

She assured the public of the command’s commitment to the safety and security of the people of the state.

“These operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and sustain public confidence in law enforcement,” the police spokesperson said.

Rivers

APP Threatens To Boycott LG Elections In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

The Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State has threatened to boycott the local government elections slated for August 30 in the state.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Sunny Wokekoro, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide’s source on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the decision to boycott the election is based on a directive from the party’s National Secretariat and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Wokekoro noted that the party’s apex body and IPAC had advised political parties to steer clear of the election.

“Despite our decision to opt out of the elections, we (APP) remain a formidable political force here in Rivers.

“We all know how we recorded a landslide victory in the annulled Oct. 5, 2024 local government election.

“Our present position does not signify the end of the APP in the state”, he said.

The APP Chairman also dismissed rumours that he was no longer the state party leader.

According to him, I remain the only recognised party chairman in the state .