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Ogbakor Ikwerre Hails Buhari …As Peterside Makes Job Creation Priority
From Left: Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Mrs Toyin Sanni, Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza and Managing Director, Financial Market Dealers and Quotation (Fmdq), Mr Bola Onadele, during the signing of Fmdq Bond Listing ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday
The umbrella body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide has congratulated the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari on his resounding victory in the just-concluded presidential poll.
In a statement jointly signed by its President General, Prof. Augustine Onyeozu and Secretary General, Chief Augustine Okajile as well as the President of Ikwerre Development Association, Sir Chris Chinwo, the group said “Ikwerre people, with one accord, proudly identify with the voice of the people which, of course, is the voice of God. We are confident that Buhari will obviously take our great nation to enviable heights.
“We take this opportunity to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari in a very civilized manner”, they said.
The group also appreciated the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, for his achievements in the state, particularly on road construction, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
According to the group, Amaechi has distinguished himself in a position as high class achiever.
“We also congratulate our son, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State and director general of Buhari/Osinbanjo Campaign Organisation for being part of this success. As you round up your tenure as first Ikwerre governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, the ‘Ochi Ohnas’ of Ikwerre and members of the National Executive of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide jointly convey this message of sincere appreciation to you for your outstanding performance to date.
“By your excellent performance, you have earned for yourself a distinguished position as high class achiever, along with the class of ex-governor Alfred Diette-Spiff in the state in the 70’s, in different aspects of development, particularly in road construction, education, provision of health services, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
“You have set a new standard that subsequent governors of the state will always struggle to meet. Your developmental strides speak for themselves. Everybody can see that Port Harcourt now wears a new look. We have hardly had it so good.
“Above all, you have reduced to the barest minimum the presence of the ugly syndrome called ‘Upland/Riverine dichotomy’, which had been the bane of our otherwise lovely state. We recognize that the fight against this lacuna is critical for peace and stability in this state. We therefore, support this fight and encourage you not to relent. The Ikwerre ethnic nationality is proud of you”, they said.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside says job creation would be given priority in his administration.
This assurance is coming less than 48 hours to the governorship election in the state. Dr Peterside who said this in Port Harcourt, during a courtesy call on him by Grace Professional, a non-governmental organization in the state, said that the emphasis is on job creation to reduce poverty and check restiveness among the youths.
He said that Governor Amaechi has already set a standard in the areas of job creation and skill acquisition and his administration would toe the same line.
‘We are going to create skill centres with international certification. Governor Amaechi has set a standard with that.
‘There are lots of sectors to provide opportunities for our youths. The creative economy, ICT, oil and gas, sports and so on” he said.
Dr Dakuku said that the first thing his administration would do is to re-orientate the youths with a view to preparing them for work.
“We need to do massive reorientation for our youths who are used to making quick money” he said.
The governorship hopeful also pledged to improve the educational system of the state, adding that emphasis will no more be placed on certificates.
‘For us to achieve all these things, two things are fundamental, one is addressing the issue of security, providing an enabling environment for industries to thrive.
The second is power. We believe that when the issue of power is addressed, a lot of problems will be solved. He urged the group to sensitise the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress during the election.
The convener of Grace Professionals, Deda Okuyiga said the issue of youth unemployment has been a major concern for every administration in the state, adding that this must be addressed.
She also said that the group decided to support the candidacy of Dakuku Peterside because of his road map to develop Rivers State.
John Bibor
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi