Rivers

Books Donation To Schools Excites Obio/Akpor Communities

Published

10 years ago

July 6, 2016

Parents and guardians of stu
dents of secondary schools in some communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have continued to express excitement and gladness about one week after the donation of more than 20,000 customised exercise books for the use of their children and wards by Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) (CCNCC) for Wike 2015 General Elections in the state.
Among those eulogising the gesture are parents and guardians of the 20 best students in each of the junior school cadre in JS1-3, including Clinton Success Ezeugo, Godwin Sunday, Innocent Gold, Emezue Victoria’s, as well as the paramount ruler of Rumuepirikom community, Eze Barry Amaewhule Opara Owabie.
It would be recalled that the CCNCC, last Wednesday, handed over the first batch of 20,000 customised notebooks as part of the celebration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s one year in office, to Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom.
Speaking to The Tide in an interview, Owabie said, the gesture was the first of its kind in the community in many decades, and praised the commitment of the group in assisting the government’s efforts to advance academic excellence in the state.
The paramount ruler, who spoke through the community’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Chizzy Egwurugwu, said the people of the area were very happy that the NGOs were encouraging the young ones to take their studies seriously through the book donation, and urged other organisations, philanthropic bodies and individuals as well as corporate citizens to emulate the kind gesture of the CCNCC in efforts to make the state more educationally advanced and stable in the country.
Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs Nsirim Gladys, had said since the school started in 2007, this was the first time it was being supported by private groups to advance the education of the children through strategic book donation.
She commended CCNCC for presenting the free 80-leaf notebooks to students of the school, adding that both the students and the more than 108 teachers in the school would benefit from the donation.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal, Mr Barnabas Ogbonka, who rolled out the names of the best performing students of the school, promised not only to put the books into good use, but to also ensure that the donation spurs the students to do better in their academic pursuits and not disappoint their parents, the government and the donors of the books.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide, Vice President, CCNCC, Dr Obot Gideon Daniel, said the donation was a dream come true, and challenged other groups to identify with the Wike administration’s dogged efforts to take education in the state to the next level.
Also, the Public Relations Officer, CCNCC, Comrade Rowland Rafael, revealed that the donation, which kick-started at the school in Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor, would soon be extended to other schools in the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

INEC Urges Peaceful Rivers Assembly Bye-elections

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections scheduled for February 21.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Gabriel Yomere, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.

He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

“The bye-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two Local Government Areas.

“We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election”, he said.

Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during the primaries scheduled to hold by January 23.

“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or violence”, he said.

He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.

Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.

He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on January 5 across all registration centres in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful bye-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.

Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.

“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state”, he said.

Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.

He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dangers of electoral violence and its consequences.

Adepoju appealed to youths, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun violence and promote peace.

He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and properties for the conduct of free and fair elections.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.

“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state”, Onyekere said.

He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.

Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the bye-elections would be peaceful and successful.

Rivers

PH To Host 2026 NBA Conference

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) says Port Harcourt will host its 2026 Annual General Conference with an ambitious theme: “Beyond Limits.”

Its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, disclosed this at its National Secretariat on Friday.

The theme, the President said, serves as a strategic mandate for legal practitioners to shatter traditional constraints and pivot toward innovation in justice delivery and governance.

Osigwe emphasised that bringing the flagship event to the South-South region is a calculated move to foster national inclusion and ensure that the association’s activities resonate deeply with members across every geographical zone.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, assured the legal community that early preparations are focused on delivering a high-caliber experience that aligns with international organisational standards.

The day’s proceedings also took a significant turn toward professional development with the inauguration of a new co-working space for young lawyers.

Located at the National Secretariat, the facility is a direct response to the structural and economic hurdles facing early-career practitioners.

It offers a professional setting for client consultations and collaborative research, ensuring that junior members remain vibrantly engaged in active practice.

The co-working initiative, spearheaded by the NBA Welfare Committee, was personally funded by its chairman, Chief James Onoja, SAN, and coordinated by Welfare Secretary, Mr. Auta Nyada.

In a tribute to professional excellence, the space was named after former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, whose legacy of mentorship and ethical advocacy served as the inspiration for the project.

While urging local branches to establish similar hubs at their respective bar centers, the NBA also confirmed that registration for the 2026 conference is now officially open, with more details on the speaker lineup and session schedules to follow.

By; Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Wobodo Pledges Support For Ex-Service Men, Others

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, said he would not renege on his administration’s commitment to support ex-servicemen and other security personnel within the Local Government area.

Wobodo made this known during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held in Isiokpo, the Headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government.

He said the event provided an opportunity to honour men and women who paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty.

The council chairman described fallen servicemen as national heroes whose sacrifices must never be forgotten by government and citizens alike.

According to him, his administration remains committed to strengthening the local security architecture to enhance peace and safety across Ikwerre communities.

He disclosed that the council has provided operational vehicles and other forms of support to security agencies operating in the area.

The Kelga Council Chairman noted that beyond serving officers, the local government is also focused on the welfare of retired and disabled security personnel.

He also assured that widows of fallen servicemen would not be neglected, stressing that they would be included in the council’s social welfare programmes.

The chairman further emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between the local government and security stakeholders to sustain peace and development.

As part of activities marking the remembrance event, Wobodo made a cash donation to members of the Nigerian Legion in the area.

He urged the legionnaires to maintain a cordial relationship with the local government and to continue supporting peace initiatives.

One of the Ex-service men, Major Joseph Wonuma, stated that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was a significant occasion and appealed to the Council chairman to prioritise welfare, employment and empowerment programmes for ex-servicemen and their families.

By: King Onunwor