Rivers

Neglect: Rivers Assembly Visits Ahoada Communities

Published

9 years ago

September 2, 2016

The Rivers State House of
Assembly Joint Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions has visited three communities of Oshiugbokor, Ogbele and Obumeze in Ahoada East Local Government Area to address complaints of neglect and abandonment by an indigenous oil firm as part of its oversight functions.
The committee, headed by Hon. Evans Bipi, was in the communities, to ascertain the veracity of the claims that they were being grossly neglected and underdeveloped by the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR).
The company, it was learnt, had been operating in the area since 2005, and had extracted over eight million barrels of crude oil with an average of 6,000 barrels per day.
During the visit, the committee first held a meeting with the NDPR management to understudy and appreciate the company’s operations and challenges.
While at the firm’s premises, the committee members were conducted round the facility by the Head of Public Relations and Security, Alhaji Buba Umaru.
Briefing the committee on the activities of the company, Umaru, told members that his company had a number of development projects of immense benefit on the ground in the communities.
He reeled out PowerPoint presentation of a litany of projects and empowerment programmes that the communities were beneficiaries of, including; payment of bursaries to students, skills acquisition, electricity, provision of water borehole, construction of Community halls, roads, among others.
But three lawmakers: Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Edison Ehie and Hon. Smark Adoki, were not satisfied with just the electronic presentations, and insisted that the committee must visit the communities to see things for themselves.
At Ogbele, the committee members were greeted with all manner of placards bearing inscriptions such as: ‘NDPR, Worse Nightmare To Ogbele Community’, ‘NDPR Is heartless: No Employment, No Community Project’, ‘NPDR Is Fraudulent’, ‘NDPR Is A Disaster To Ogbele’, among others.
Welcoming the committee members to the community, the Vice Chairman, Council of chiefs, Chief Christian Nwoka, explained how they had suffered in the hands of the company, yet patient and non-violent.
“What I want you to know is that our people are suffering. You are advising us to remain calm; we will be calm, we will advise our youth to be clam, but please, help us”, he pleaded.
Also speaking, the Eze Ele Ogbele, Wilfred Ejimaji, said the committee had shown good example by visiting them, and would use the opportunity to see whether the people were exaggerating the underdevelopment of the community or not.
“We understand that you sat last time to discuss the problem between us and NDPR, and now, you have come to see what the company has done to us. Please, help us, what you have heard is true, Ogbele is suffering, we will be happy if you tell the people of the state what you have seen here today”, he lamented.
Earlier, the Chairman of the joint committee, Hon. Evans Bipi, had said they were in the community on a fact-finding mission.
He explained that the finding was still on-going, and advised them to be calm and never engage in violence.
According to him, “Very soon, you will hear from us”.
The committee also visited the other two communities where the members to took a tour of what was left of the development projects there.

Rivers

Fasthire, PHCCIMA, CIPM Host CareerFest 2026 In PH

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

Fasthire Services, in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Rivers State Chapter, is set to organise a two-day career development and job creation event in Port Harcourt, from February 27-28, 2026.

The event, known as “Fasthire CareerFest 2026”, is expected to attract over 1,000 job opportunities, with employers actively recruiting across various sectors.

CareerFest 2026 is designed to be a high-impact platform that goes beyond a traditional job fair, and will also feature career exhibitions and professional guidance sessions, aimed at helping participants navigate career pathways, professional development, and long-term career planning.

There will be virtual sessions and industry conversations on February 27, and physical conference and job fair in Port Harcourt on February 28.

The hybrid event will feature three core components career and Industry Conference – keynote sessions, panel discussions, and fireside chats with HR leaders, business executives, policymakers, and industry experts.

The organisers said CareerFest 2026 is open to students, fresh graduates, job seekers, professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and anyone seeking career clarity, growth, or new opportunities.

They called on members of the public, employers who have vacancies and want to recruit, and professionals to register and participate in what is positioned as one of the most impactful career and employment-focused events in the South-South region.

The vision for CareerFest was originally conceived by Fasthire Services and has since received strong buy-in and strategic support from PHCCIMA and CIPM Rivers, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce development, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment.

Other strategic partners supporting the event include NTA, 3MTT, Google Developer Group (GDG) Port Harcourt, SMFest, and other companies and organisations that are committed to skills development, innovation, and employment creation.

With strong institutional backing, a clear employment focus, and a growing network of partners, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping careers, strengthening the workforce, and driving inclusive economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.

Rivers

Police Raise Alarm Over Rise In Officers’ Impersonation

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command has raised the alarm over a disturbing rise in criminal activities involving individuals impersonating police officers and extorting members of the public across the state.

The Command described the trend as a serious threat to public safety and trust, urging residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious at all times.

In a press release by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt, the Police said the suspects allegedly operate by dressing in black outfits and posing as law enforcement officers while setting up illegal checkpoints to harass and intimidate unsuspecting citizens.

According to the release, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, also expressed concern over the development and assured the public that decisive steps have been taken to curb the menace.

He said a robust monitoring and intelligence mechanism has been activated to identify, apprehend and prosecute those behind the criminal acts.

Police authorities noted that the actions of these impostors not only amount to extortion and impersonation, but also undermine the credibility of legitimate security operations within the state.

The Command warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

The statement further clarified that no police officer or security agent has the legal authority to stop citizens on the road or at checkpoints to search their mobile phones, laptops or other personal electronic devices.

Such actions, the Police said, are unlawful and should be resisted through proper reporting channels.

Residents were also cautioned against complying with demands to accompany any individual to a Point of Sale (POS) operator, bank or other financial outlet for the purpose of withdrawing or transferring money, as this is a common tactic employed by the criminals.

The Police Command also called on members of the public to be alert and to take note of their surroundings, especially when confronted by suspicious persons or hostile checkpoints that do not follow established policing procedures.

To strengthen community participation in tackling the problem, the Command provided several emergency contact numbers for immediate reporting of suspicious activities.

The numbers include the Complaint Response Unit hotlines: 07057605256, 08120822987 and 09035774814.

Additional contact lines include the Police Public Relations Officer on 09014273818 and the Command’s Control Room on 08032003514, all of which are available for prompt response to distress calls.

Security analysts have observed that impersonation of law enforcement officers has become a recurring challenge in urban centres, often thriving where public awareness is low.

They stress that timely reporting by citizens is critical in dismantling such criminal networks.

The State Police Command reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property across the state.

It also appealed to the public to continue supporting legitimate police operations with credible information.

The statement further emphasized that cooperation between the Police and the public remains essential to ensuring a safe and secure Rivers State.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the state.

He gave the assurance during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream I corps members on Friday at the Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of the state.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, the Governor emphasised that no nation could develop or attain greatness without harnessing the potential of its youths, who are the leaders of tomorrow.

He assured the corps members that the ongoing renovation and upgrade of facilities at the camp would soon be completed.

The State Governor also stated that new infrastructure would be constructed to accommodate the increasing number of corps members deployed to the state.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, thanked the Governor for constructing a 1,000-capacity hostel accommodation for both male and female corps members at the camp.

Oleghe announced that a total of 2,638 corps members, comprising 1,007 males and 1,631 females, had completed their registration, while more than 300 corps members were yet to register.

The oath of office was administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, who was represented by another judge, Justice Chika Mini.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso