Rivers
Ex-Radio Rivers Staff Emerges King In Ogbogolo Kingdom
A former staff of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Rivers) Odinakachukwu Osundu has been crowned the Obenemema Ibe (King) 111 of Ogbogolo Kingdom in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
The ceremony, which was performed by the oldest man in Ogbogolo Kingdom, Elder Dakipiri Okwarisi, at Egboama Ogbogolo, Ahoada West LGA, had in attendance key stakeholders in the Kingdom, including the youths, women, and the elderly.
Elder Okwarisi, who spoke shortly after the coronation advised the Obenemema Ibe of the Kingdom to rule with the fear of God.
He urged him to embark on a reconciliation programme in order to instill oneness and unity in Ogbogolo Kingdom, adding that as one of the oldest persons in the Kingdom, he is ready to assist him through advice to enable him succeed.
Also speaking, one of the women, Mrs. Sarah Osundu, described the ceremony as one of the best things that has happened to the Kingdom this year.
“Today’s coronation is a very peaceful and loving one. In fact, it is the happiest day I have ever seen through out this year and today we are here coronating His majesty, Odinakachukwu Osundu.
“So I’m here to say thank you to everyone that came”, she said.
She also advised the new king to rule with the fear of God, stressing that he should put God first in all that he is going to do in the kingdom.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation, the Obenemema Ibe, HRM, Osundu, promised to liaise with companies operating in the area and the government to bring development to Ogbogolo Kingdom.
He, however, expressed regret over the backwardness of Ogbogolo Kingdom, adding that he will use his new office to attract development to the area.
He also told newsmen that the Stool of Obenemema Ibe of Ogbogolo Kingdom is not hereditary, stressing that ascension to the throne of Obenemema Ibe of Ogbogolo Kingdom is either through election or selection by the gods of the land.
HRM Osundu said his ascension to the throne of the kingdom was through the gods of the land.
“The stool is not hereditary, ascension to the throne is through the gods or election.
“In my own case, I was chosen by the gods. I know that the Kingdom has no road network and electricity, so, I will network with companies operating in the kingdom and the government to see how we can link up the kingdom to the rest of the state”, he said.
King Osundu advised the people of Ogbogolo Kingdom to shun all forms of social vices and unite for the progress of the area.
He pledged the loyalty of his people to Governor Siminalaye Fubara and the Rivers State Government.
Other stakeholders also praised the peaceful nature of the ceremony and pledged their loyalty and support.
By: John Bibor
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In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.
The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.
He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.
“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.
He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.
The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.
He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.
Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.
Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
Rivers
Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach
A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.
Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.
According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.
He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.
“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.
Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.
He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.
He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.
The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.
To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.
He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.
The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.
Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.
“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.
He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.
Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.
While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.
The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.
According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.
He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.
Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.
He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.
The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.
In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.
Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.
The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.
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