News
Woji Gets First Public Secondary School

Woji Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has joined other communities across the state with government-owned secondary school.
The move followed the foundation laying of the first government secondary school in the community by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, yesterday.
The school, known as Woji Community Secondary School, had the construction of its initial 19-classroom blocks, staff offices, administrative block, head teachers’ office, and public conveniences.
Speaking during the flag off of the project, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, said the project was inline with the council’s desire to boost education in the local government area.
Ariolu, who described education as agent of development, said the school would serve as breeding ground for future leaders of the area, adding that the contractor has been mobilised to site.
He said it would also improve the economy of the area through the creation of employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council has restated its commitment to produce quality manpower for the area.
Inline with this, the council has instituted a policy of ensuring the production of 150 PhDs and 150 Masters’degree holders within the next three years.
Ariolu said during the flag off ceremony of the first public secondary school in Woji, that the council was producing 50 PhDs and 50 Masters’ degree holders every year.
He said the first batch had completed their programme,while forms for the second batch was out and was being processed.
According to him, candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degrees were paid N700,000.00 while their Masters’ degree counterparts get N500,000.00.
He charged the people of Woji to cooperate with the contractor handling the project with a view to ensuring speedy completion of the project.
While performing the foundation laying ceremony, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom, thanked the chairman of the Obio/Akpor local government council for embarking on strategic people-oriented projects.
He also commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for giving opportunity to the people of Obio/Akpor to elect Ariolu as their chairman.
Mmom said the project would greatly impact on his ministry,adding that in a few months from now, Woji would be celebrating its first public secondary school.
Also speaking, the member representing Obio/AkporFederal Constituency, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said Ariolu had embarked on projects that most state governments in the country have not been able to do.
He said the massive turn out of the people of Woji for the event shows that the project was rooted in the community.
Chinda said the project was in consonance with the philosophy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of providing democratic dividends to the people.
On his part, the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, said the project would impact positively on the people.
He commended Governor Nyesom Wike for showing the way in project execution,adding that most states in the country were envious of Rivers State.
Earlier in an address, the people of Woji community, said they were overwhelmed with joy at the landmark project.
“Our happiness stems from the fact that this event brings to fulfilment all efforts in the past to have a public school in Woji Town”.
The Woji Chiefs and Elders Council also described Woji as the largest urban community in Obio/Akpor but regretted that until yesterday, it had no public school.
“The matter is made worse by the fact that the school in the nearby Rumurolu community is overpopulated because of the influx of people from in and around the area.
“This is one of the reasons we cherish this landmark project being flagged off today”, the chiefs said.
The address, which was read by the Secretary, Woji Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Ernest Chinwo, also expressed the hope that the project would be delivered in record time.
According to the community, it was their desire to have comprehensive primary and secondary school complex in the location as the entire land mass was not under any litigation.
By: John Bibor
News
Hausa Community Debunks Saidu’s Appointment Report

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.
News
Suspended Commissioner Denies Disruption Of Empowerment Programme

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
News
HYPREP Solicits Regulators, Asset Owners’ Support

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
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