The Rivers State Government has distributed food and non-food relief materials to flood-affected residents of Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas as part of efforts to alleviate the hardship caused by flooding across the state.
The distribution exercise took place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS Pathfinder) Operational Base, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, where the relief materials were handed over to representatives of the two local government councils.
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, disclosed that the intervention was part of the state government’s deliberate efforts to support families affected by flooding.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Odu explained that the distribution was being coordinated in collaboration with local government chairmen, community leaders, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and other relevant community representatives to ensure that the most vulnerable and severely affected residents received assistance.
She acknowledged the hardship experienced by flood-affected communities and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing relief to victims across Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor, however, emphasised that the relief materials were temporary measures intended to cushion the immediate effects of the disaster while the government continued to pursue lasting solutions to the recurring flooding problem.
She urged residents to support government efforts by avoiding practices that contribute to flooding, particularly the obstruction of drainage channels and waterways.
Odu noted that while some flooding incidents were attributable to natural factors, including the state’s topography, human activities also contributed significantly to the problem.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere, his Chief of Staff, Dr. Daniel Doorka, assured residents that the relief materials would be distributed to those most in need.
Bariere expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for the gesture, describing the intervention as a demonstration of concern for the welfare of flood-affected residents of Khana.
He also commended the Deputy Governor and the Flood Prevention and Management Committee for their efforts to provide succour to communities affected by the disaster.
Similarly, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Hon. Confidence Yima Deko, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Dugbor Baritoesan, praised Governor Fubara and his deputy for their intervention.
Deko noted that the provision of relief materials demonstrated the government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of flood victims and addressing the challenges confronting affected communities.
He expressed hope that the intervention would provide much-needed support to residents struggling to cope with the consequences of the recent flooding.
The Rivers State Government reiterated the importance of cooperation among government authorities, community leaders and residents in tackling flooding and mitigating its effects on vulnerable communities.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has identified responsible parenting, discipline and sound moral values at home as critical to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that policing alone cannot guarantee a safe society.

Disu stated this while serving as chief launcher at the unveiling of a book titled _Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force (1955-1996)_, authored by 96-year-old retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dame Stella Okuyiga, in Port Harcourt during the week.

The IGP said the foundation of a secure society begins at home, where children should be taught discipline, respect for the law and positive values that promote responsible citizenship.

“Parents have a significant role to play in shaping the character and conduct of their children. Failure to instil appropriate values at an early age could contribute to delinquency and some of the security challenges confronting the country,” he said.

According to him, effective policing requires the support of responsible families and law-abiding communities, as well as stronger cooperation between the police and members of the public.

Disu emphasised that the task of ensuring security should not be left to security agencies alone, urging families and communities to complement police efforts by promoting discipline, mutual respect and adherence to the law.

Beyond the security message, the IGP used the occasion to celebrate the contributions of pioneering female officers who helped shape the history and development of the Nigeria Police Force.

He described the book unveiling as more than a literary event, saying it provided an opportunity to recognise the courage, sacrifices and achievements of the early women officers who broke barriers and created opportunities for succeeding generations.

The police boss also highlighted the significance of the event coinciding with the International Week of the Girl Child, stressing that gender should not constitute a barrier to the ambitions, aspirations and opportunities available to girls.

Disu paid tribute to Dame Okuyiga, whom he identified as one of the first 20 women admitted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955, describing her generation as trailblazers who established a place for women in an institution where opportunities were once limited.

He noted that the experiences and achievements of the pioneer officers deserved recognition, adding that documenting their contributions would help preserve an important part of the history of policing in Nigeria.

The book, which chronicles the history of women in Nigerian policing and Okuyiga’s personal journey in the force from 1955 to 1996, is expected to provide valuable historical insight into the struggles, sacrifices and progress of female police officers over the decades.

King Onunwor

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, says Nigeria’s economic reforms and tight monetary policy have helped ease inflation, strengthen external reserves and restore investor confidence.

Cardoso said this during a debate on the global economy, with the theme, “Forging Resilient and Dynamic Economies for the Future”, in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.

He said that the reforms, including foreign exchange market adjustments and aggressive monetary tightening, were necessary to address economic challenges and restore credibility.

According to him, inflation, which peaked at about 34 per cent, has gradually declined to approximately 15 per cent.

The CBN governor said that Nigeria’s external reserves had risen to their highest level in 18 years, reflecting improved investor confidence.

He said the CBN raised interest rates aggressively in 2024, even as other economies began easing monetary policy.

He said that the measures helped to address weaknesses in monetary policy transmission and align market expectations with the bank’s policy decisions.

The CBN governor said that clear communication and consistency in implementing reforms helped prevent market panic and also strengthened confidence in the CBN.

Cardoso said that Nigeria had tackled severe external financing challenges, including net external reserves falling to about three billion dollars and outstanding foreign exchange obligations exceeding seven billion dollars.

The CBN governor said that an orthodox monetary policy approach helped stabilise the economy, settle the outstanding obligations and attract investment.

“Diaspora remittances were a major source of foreign exchange diversification, as that monthly inflows increased from 200 million dollars to 600 million dollars within a year.

“Nigeria subsequently targeted one billion dollars in monthly remittances, with inflows reaching about 950 million dollars in July.

“The improvement is partly due to digital solutions, engagement with Nigerians abroad and the removal of bottlenecks affecting international money transfers,” he said.

Cardoso said that Nigeria must sustain its reforms and diversify revenue sources beyond crude oil to strengthen economic resilience.

He cited the Dangote Refinery as an example of domestic value addition that could reduce dependence on exporting crude oil and importing refined petroleum products.

He said improved macroeconomic stability had also supported Nigeria’s return to international market indices, including the FTSE and JPMorgan bond indices.

Cardoso said that the country would maintain its reform momentum, stressing that credibility depended on consistent action rather than promises.

He said Nigeria, a major African economy with a large population, had a responsibility to demonstrate that sustained reforms could deliver lasting economic change.