Nation

Rivers Youths Endorse NYCN Annual Conference, Pass Vote of Confidence on Amb. Okpor

Published

2 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

Over 200 community-based youth leaders drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Council, led by Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor.

The vote of confidence followed an extraordinary stakeholders’ meeting held at the NYCN State Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

At the meeting, the youths also endorsed the 2025 Annual Youth Conference, scheduled to hold in December 2025.

Moving the motion for the vote of confidence, Comrade Ahiakwo Chuks, representing Rivers West Senatorial District and President of the Igburu Youth Federation, said that within a few months in office, the Okpor-led NYCN had taken superlative steps aimed at improving the welfare of youths across the state.

According to him, the leadership’s ideals and programmes are clearly youth-centred, adding that Rivers youths are solidly behind Amb. Okpor as he works to change the narrative of youth development in the state.

Seconding the motion, Ambassador Amadi Emmanuel, representing Rivers East Senatorial District and President of the Etche Youth Federation, described Amb. Okpor as a leader with the capacity and genuine interest to transform the lives of Rivers youths.

He noted that, in the history of the NYCN in the state, the current chairman has demonstrated uncommon passion and commitment toward addressing youth-related challenges, while commending youths for rallying behind a vibrant and energetic leadership.

Also speaking, Comrade Chinedu Onyike, President of the Omoku Youth Federation, said the Okpor-led NYCN has fostered unity and love among Rivers youths.

He stated that under the present leadership, youths in the state are now united in purpose, committed to contributing meaningfully to state development and active participation in governance.

In his remarks, Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, Chairman of NYCN, Rivers State Council, renewed his call on the Executive and Legislature to embrace peace and work together in the interest of the state, particularly for the benefit of youths.

He said Rivers youths have endured a lot and do not desire further political turbulence in the state, stressing that peace remains the only pathway through which the dividends of democracy can reach the people.

Amb. Okpor disclosed that the proposed youth conference, aimed at alleviating youth suffering through skills acquisition and empowerment, would be formally communicated to the youth-friendly Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

He emphasized that although the NYCN remains apolitical, it will continue to work constructively with the government of the day to address youth challenges.

Assuring youths of his commitment, Amb. Okpor stated that it would no longer be business as usual, adding that his leadership remains resolute in speaking for the collective interest of Rivers youths.

“The trust Rivers youths have placed in this leadership will be evident to all. Youth activism has been reactivated for the overall good of Rivers State,” he said.

He described the unanimous endorsement of the forthcoming youth conference as evidence that Rivers youths are now speaking with one voice.

Amb. Okpor further noted that youth initiatives under his leadership are in consonance with the policies of the current administration, declaring a new dawn for youths in the state.

He called on youths to embrace unity as a strategic tool in engaging International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the government, adding that their plans can only come to fruition with maximum support for the government of the day.

[12/21, 7:53?AM] Mr. Done Tide: National President, Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria(AELN), Prof Samuel Dike(3rd right), with Gospel musician, Mr Asu Ekiye(4th left); Managing Director, Oilserv Limited, Engr(Dr) Kenechukwu Kingsley Nwangwu(3rd left); and other FGAN Award recipients, during the 2025 Annual Dinner, Awards and Investiture ceremony of AELN in Port Harcourt.

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.

The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.

The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.

Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.

While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.

Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.

“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.

The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.

He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.

Nation

Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.

The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.

He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.

Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”

On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.

He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:

Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market

Construction and reconstruction of urban roads

Establishment of two sports centres

Healthcare interventions

Youth skills development programmes.

Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.

Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.

Nation

Christians Convert To Islam or die As ISWAP burns down Christian village

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Christians in Adamawa have been asked to Convert to Islam or die as commanded by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

.The ISWAP forcedly burnt down Christian village in Adamawa Nigeria as reported on January 1, 2026.

The Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, has continued to wreak havoc on Christian communities in the Northeast, Nigeria.

This comes as ISWAP burned down a Christian village in Adamawa State.

A security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.

“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.

The move is perceived as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes by the Nigerian and United States military against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Recall that five days ago, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US military launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.