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RSG Reassures On Building Productive Youths

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4 years ago

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The Rivers State Government has stated its willingness to build a brigade of youths that would be productive and worthy Ambassadors of the state and adequately equipped to face the future.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Prince Obi Ohia who gave the assurance when he visited the State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Secretariat, said the ministry would commence implementing programmes already mapped out for the development of youths in Rivers State.
Ohia noted that the government was ready to collaborate with the Youth Council in order to pull the youths from the doldrums of crime and hooliganism bedeviling the nation.
According to him, “the ministry is ready to collaborate with the Youth Council and other relevant youth bodies in order to make landmark achievements this year”.
“The ministry has outlined laudable programmes that would better the lot of youths in the State this year”.
Ohia expressed optimism that given the love and passion Governor Wike had shown towards youths as evidenced in the numerous infrastructural and human capacity development projects in the state, it is certain that the present administration would deliver on all of its promises to the youths.
The ministry he said, was working tirelessly to ensure that the Youth Council begin to receive subventions as was the case in time past, stressing that without subventions, the Youth Council cannot run her secretariat.
The State Secretary of the NYCN, Mr David Apiafi who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo commended the Commissioner for finding time to visit the Youths and pleaded for financial assistance for the Youth Council.
Ihunwo said the NYCN was struggling to carry out their programmes as a result of financial constraints and made a passionate appeal that the yearly subventions to the youth body be restored for the smooth running of the secretariat.
He called for a more robust relationship with the government, adding that the partnership that already exists between the state government and the youths be scaled up.
Meanwhile, the state government has intervened in the crisis rocking the Egbema youth council, constituting a Caretaker Committee that would pilot affairs of the Youth Association in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the area.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Prince Obi Ohia who announced constitution of the committee after meeting with the factions of the youth body, explained that the tenure of the current executive of the body would expire on the 16th of January as earlier pronounced by the courts.
He explained that the Ministry of Youth Development had the statutory responsibility to supervise and oversee all youth activities and to ensure that internal wrangling which may instigate volatility were not allowed to fester within the communities in the state.
Ohia, noted that the State government would not approve tenure elongation in the case of Egbema Youth Association, stating that the Ministry of Youth had to step in to avert any security breaches in the area.
According to him, “we must listen to the pulsations of the people who have agreed that they do not want tenure elongation”.
The Hon. Commissioner stressed that the decision to constitute a Caretaker Committee was predicated on the fact that their constitution and over 90% of the exco members present at the meeting were against tenure elongation.

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Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
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Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him,  he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to  an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)  for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict  compliance to the charge of the  Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is  for people  at the grassroots to also enjoy  dividends of  governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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