News
Okah Tasks RSNC Staff On Hard Work
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah has charged staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) to put in their best in efforts to assist the government reposition the corporation, and make it the best newspaper outfit in the country.
Okah gave the charge in an address at an event to mark the 46th anniversary of RSNC,people’s parliament, end of year party and sendforth ceremony for retired staff from 2015 to date, at the premises of the corporation in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Represented by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Mr Godpower Ordu, the commissioner said that with improved productivity, the corporation would regain its lost glory, and scale-up the circulation of its core product, The Tide, with enhanced visibility and readership.
In his welcome address, General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide, Mr. Vincent Ake charged staff to embrace hard-work for handful rewards.
Ake stressed that it was imperative for staff to contribute positively by discharging their duties with humility, devotion and resilience.
The general manager maintained that for any staff to be honoured, such was expected to take a step forward in their place of work, warning that those whose habit was to loiter and idle around the corporation may not be rewarded but may rather be demoted or recommended for sack.
He encouraged staff to always take their jobs seriously by being punctual to work and diligently discharge their assigned responsibilities efficiently.
Ake, who frowned at lateness to work, urged those staff who were not recognized with an award to continue in their quest for higher productivity by making better inputs into the corporation’s scheme of things.
According to him, “When you do better in your units and departments, you deserve nothing but outstanding recognition for a job well done”.
On the award, he stressed that the staff chosen by the committee were nominated based on merit, appealing to those who could not make it this year to redouble their efforts to make the honours’ list next time.
Those who received the award of excellence for the year 2017 in their departments include, Messrs George Awah of Production, John Onyema Wehuje of Finance and Mrs Victoria Karagbara of Editorial Department.
Others are Mr. Baride Nnordam of Business Development and Mrs Cecilia Eke-Amadi of Administration.
Highpoint of the event include presentation of the state of the corporation as well as question and answer session between management and staff.
While giving the toast for long life for the retirees, Director of Publications, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor, thanked them for their meritorious services to the corporation, and advised them not to turn their back on the workers as they would need their wise counsel from time to time to keep the flag flying.
Highpoints of the event were the presentation of awards to five deserving staff as well as memorable gifts to all 26 retired staff of the various departments of the corporation.
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Tide Chapel, had last Thursday, honoured eight of its members who have meritoriously retired from the service of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC).
The retired staff, who were honoured by the union include Alabo Dagogo Clinton, Chief Sam Nnari, Collins Barasimieye, Rev Soye Young-Itiye, King Osila, Chris Monyanaga, Warisenibo Donald Mike-Jaja and Pastor Ibim Amieyeofori.
Speaking at the sent-forth programme, General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Vincent Ake tasked the retirees to always maintain good working relationship with the corporation and be ready to render their services when called upon.
The general manager, who regretted that the retirees were some of the best hands in the corporation, added that they were retiring when the corporation needed their services most.
Also speaking, Chairman of NUJ, The Tide Chapel, Mr. Felix Okogbule, recounted the reason for the programme, adding that those who worked hard needed to be honoured and rewarded.
He further commended the retirees for their contributions towards the development and successes recorded by the corporation during their service years, adding that the NUJ under his administration has made numerous achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Production, Alabo Dagogo Clinton thanked the union for the honour done them, adding that they would be willing to support the corporation whenever their services are needed.
“The Tide has come a long way, and needs to be sustained. This calls for the re-training of staff, for improved productivity”, he added.
By: Bethel Sam Toby, Christiana Daniel, Huoma Ojum, Lily Silver & Edwin Agbadaru.
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