News
Nemieboka Recommits To Change Negative Narrative In Ogu …Flags Off Skills Acquisition Scheme
The Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, has restated his commitment to change the negative narrative about Ogu/Bolo in the affairs of Rivers State, and the entire country.
Nemieboka gave the assurance while flagging off the local government’s special skills acquisition programme for 283 youths in various vocations at the Ogu/Bolo Council Secretariat, Ogu.
The scheme is an initiative of the Nemieboka-led Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council as part of his promise to empower the people during his electioneering campaigns in 2021.
The first batch of beneficiaries consisting of 22 persons as scaffold trainees; 58 as heavy duty; 58 forklift trainees; nine driving trainees; 70 make-up artists; and 66 photography/videography trainees.
Speaking during the programme, Nemieboka said he had made a promise to embark on massive human capital development after achieving successful infrastructure development in his first year in office.
He said before he became chairman of the council, he had made promise that after his tenure, that negative narrative of saying Ogu/Bolo has no money and no meaningful projects can be done with the allocations would be changed, and successive chairmen would be made to give account of what they have done.
Nemieboka said the programme was redefined from what the people were familiar with, where trainees were only interested in the starter packs given to them and not the knowledge they acquired from the training.
To concentrate and perform optimally, Nemieboka said he has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as accommodation, feeding and transportation for the trainees.
He said the training would be in three batches and would last for seven months, adding that those with genuine passion would be assisted to set up their businesses.
For the other skills, with the state-of-art equipment in Government Technical College (GTC), Ogu-Ele, Nemieboka said the council would partner the school in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Education to give a six-month intensive training equivalent to the post-primary education.
Nemieboka assured the trainees that they would go through the training uninterrupted, and urged the trainees to make good use the skills they would acquire to help themselves and better the society.
He said that those participating in the empowerment programme would be paid monthly stipends aimed at supporting the people.
He also said that some chiefs and women doing business in the area have included in the programme, and would receive loans to boost their incomes.
The guest speaker of the occasion, Barrister Bright Otobo, admonished participants to take whatever skills they have learnt seriously, giving illustrations of graduates from the university that were making names in business just from the skills they learnt with the likes of Dr Wilson Orunaboka, a renowned baker who owns Wilson Bakery.
He said the acquisition of skills was what the society needs today, and praised Nemieboka for embarking on the largest human capital development project in the area.
In his remarks, the Amayanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Micha Frank, said he was happy with what he had seen, and admonished the trainees to appreciate what they have so that people would value them.
He commended Nemieboka for understanding the plight of the people and making Ogu/Bolo stand out, and prayed that God would strengthen him and give him the wisdom and resources to complete the good work.
Also speaking, Barrister Mela Oforibika, said human capital development was what drives an economy, admonishing the trainees to be good ambassadors of the area after they have completed their training.
Some of the trainees who spoke to newsmen said they were grateful to be part of the programme, and would concentrate on what they were studying so they can make their family and the area proud.
They thanked Nemieboka for coming up with such initiative, and prayed for more resources to complete the programme.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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