Editorial
Well-Done ‘Governor Wike’
Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom
Ezenwo Wike assumed office about one
year ago, on May 29, 2016 but the feeling this administration has planted in the minds of the many Rivers persons and indeed residents is that of an-age of good works. In just one year, the word for the Governor all over, is ‘Bravo’.
Unlike any other State, the ascension into the office of the Governor of Rivers State in the year 2015 was nothing short of war. From the time it became clear that Chief Nyesom Wike was interested in taking over the Brick House, it was conflict as never seen. As God would have it, he eventually had the last laugh.
Not only was he able to defeat his political opponents on and off the election grounds, he has performed so well and completed projects that former administrations feared to undertake. He has given Port Harcourt, the State capital and its environs facelift and inspired smiles on the faces of workers, motorists and the business community like never before.
That is why all Rivers people must hurry and join all men of goodwill to congratulate the Governor of the State on his attainment of one year in office. Now, it is difficult to say if he is a silent achiever or a bulldozer or a submarine, but everyone seems to agree on the fact that he is the emancipator of Rivers State from the hands of those who did everything to sell it out.
On Sunday, May 29, 2016, Rivers State and its people will rise to appreciate Governor Wike for restoring the pride of the Rivers man. He has shown that the Rivers man can fight and cannot be cowed always. With him, nowhere would anyone ask ‘who is there in Rivers State”. Of course, Rivers State has men.
Even as he will be too humble to accept, Governor Wike is a political phenomenon of no fixed quantity. He is a toast of democracy and a mobiliser par excellence. He is now the sweetest name in Rivers State, the dragon slayer and the one the people of Rivers State have taken into their collective hearts with pride and confidence.
In just one short year, he has made possible some landmark developments that humble the opposition. His footprints can be seen on the Eleme/Onne Road, because of him the Trans-Amadi business district in Port Harcourt is open again, while the people in the Borikiri, Diobu and Port Harcourt Township Areas now enjoy a fresh lease of life and comfort.
It would have taken only a man, God had anointed to remember the Iwofe area of the city. As for the Eagle Island that was linked to mainland Port Harcourt for the first time, residents cannot stop thanking God, even for the quality of the job that opens that Island to business.
In fact, the uncommon wisdom to complete projects abandoned by previous administrations shows a man who is selfless and determined to save the assets of the State. It is his ability to raise money to restart the State after the 2015 elections that marks him out as a man of inestimable abilities. The former Governor had said, “come and pay salaries let me see” and did even more.
Governor Wike assumed office with nobody to take over from, neither handover note nor money to start with. He took over a state completely raped and ripped apart. The Government was looted and the Government House violated with human wastes, most of official state vehicles were stolen including the ceremonial vans of the State. He took over a Civil Service that was owed three months salary, a judiciary and legislative structures that were shut down.
Governor Wike inherited a State capital that was covered in wastes, because refuse disposal contractors were not paid for several months. He took over a city that had parts cut-off by bad roads and many roads ridden with potholes and ditches that were the nightmare of motorists. He took over a frightened and largely disillusioned citizenry.
All that changed in a matter of months and today, the Rivers man has regained his fighting spirit, his dignity and focus because of what the people have come to know about the Governor. The continued attacks from his political enemies have only served to make him more popular, more supported and prayed for.
On this occasion of his first anniversary in office, we can only urge the good people of Rivers State to thank God for giving Rivers State a man like Governor Wike. We can only pray for more wisdom, health and protection for our Governor. This we must all do because the enemy is still hurt that every step against Governor Wike fails.
Finally, we say congratulations, Bravo! Welldone.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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