Rivers
NGO Strategises To Redefine Disability In Children

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Lifeline Organisation For Children Empowerment (LOCE) has organised the first Nigerian Inclusive Play, PLAG Season 8.
PLAG is an acronym for Play, Learn And Grow.
Speaking with The Tide, the Founder/Executive Director of Lifeline, Ngozi Chukwuka, explained that LOCE exists, operates and functions mainly due to children with disabilities, in a world where all children (especially children with disabilities) have access to a good and quality life.
Mrs Chukwuka said Play Learn And Grow (PLAG) is one of its programmes that had run successfully in the last eight years.
Chukwuka explained that it was their own way of responding to the global agenda of ‘Leave no One Behind,’ as every child matters as well deserves to play.
She added that the success stories recorded from PLAG had been overwhelming and phenomenal as many kids had gotten a redefinition of what disability is all about as well exposing many parents to understand what a disadvantage child is all about too.
According to her, over the years, the organisation has made parents to look away kids look away from the seeming limitations on the outside of their kids and explore the limitless man on the inside; on the premise that the man that is really handicapped is the man that has refused to explore his inner strength.
She said such knowledge informed their different themes over the years.
She stated that this year, they considered the theme: Wired to lead” to drive home the truth, “Leadership is not answering a title but bridging the gaps. A leader is one that identifies a gap and closes it. He identifies a problem and mobilizes resources towards solving it.
“We are crafted by God to be the answer to the world’s problems. There is an exact problem we all are meant to solve. I encourage every child to activate the leader in him. No one should exclude himself or be excluded in leadership on the bases of physical disability, because disability is in the mind,” she charged.
According to her, “About 15% of the global populations live with some form of disability; of those, 2–4% experience significant difficulties in functioning.
“A World Health Organization source maintains that about 40% of Africa’s population consists of people with disabilities, including 10-15 percent of school-age children. Global disability is on the rise due to population ageing and the rapid spread of chronic diseases.
“According to 2016 population estimates, the population of Rivers State is 7,303,900, using the universal estimate of 10% of any population being made of children with disabilities, over 730,390 will be living with disabilities of various categories in Rivers State alone, although there are no accurate records in the state of people living with disabilities, people with disabilities continue to live with great physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers in their daily lives,” Chukwuka added.
The Tide reports that PLAG is held yearly to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities worldwide, through PLAG.
LOCE advocates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creates awareness of the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for children with disabilities. It is an inclusive play that provides equal opportunity for all children to play.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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