Rivers

Traditional Ruler Tasks Govt On Land Grabbing In Etche

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2023

The Ochimba/Paramount Ruler of Elele Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Innocent Anaemeje, has called for government intervention to save the local government from incessant land grabbing activities.
He said this while conducting newsmen round a land called in Etche language as “uzor Mmiri Umuajaka”, which, he said, was sold by their fathers to Hydrotech and famap Nigeria limited, but now under threat by activities of land grabbers.
He also said land grabbing is fast becoming a cult in Etcheland and must be put to a hold immediately to avoid crisis.
Eze Anaemeje said the land in question was sold by their fathers to Hydrotech and famap Nigeria limited, an agrobased company, by their fathers since 1984.
He said the company, which was into agriculture, operated for some time in the area before pulling out and assigned some one to take care of the land.
The Traditional Ruler said since the land was already sold by their fathers to the companies, the community does not have any right over it.
Eze Anaemeje said land grabbers are now selling portions of the land to unsuspecting members of the public.
He also said the company’s warehouses situated in the land was destroyed by the land grabbers, adding even his life is being threatened.
The traditiona ruler said he has already warned the public against buying plots of lands in the area.
He stressed the need for the government to come into the matter as his life and that of his chiefs are under threat.
According to him, the matter was reported to Ozuzu Police Station, but the police has done nothing about it.
He warned members of the public not to buy land from anyone in the area as the land has been sold.
Affirming the traditional ruler’s position, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Umuajaka Elele, Mr peter Onuegbu, said those claiming the land are illegally doing so, as Hydrotech and famap Nigeria limited have all the documents, including customary right of Occupancy as far as the land was concerned.
The CDC Chairman called for Government intervention to save the community from crisis.
On his part, a traditional ruler in the Community, Eze Aba Nnodim, called for urgent Government intervention in the matter.
Nnodim said the community cannot take back the land since it has already been sold by their fathers, adding that all of them benefitted from the proceeds of the land.
He also warned land buyers against buying any plot of land in the area.
Also speaking, Eze Onuegbu Chukwuma said the community cannot fold it’s hands and allow people take away what does not belong to them
He also called on the government to come into the matter to save the community from crisis.
One of the managers of the companies, Mr Ndubuisi Omaguluchi, said the land was bought by the companies as far back as 1984.
He said the company has all the necessary documents including an injunction from a competent court of jurisdiction relating to ownership of the land.
According to him, the land stretches from Umuajaka to Abara behind the campus of the Rivers State University.
Omaguluchi said the situation has been reported to the police both at Ozuzu and Okehi, including state Criminal investigation Department.
He expressed regret that despite the court injunction people are still selling and buying the land.
Omaguluchi, who spoke onbehalf of the management of the companies, urged Government to intervene in the matter to save the community from crisis.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Eld Ogbu Bags Adventists Men Award…Pledge For Humanitarian Service

Published

5 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.

Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.

Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.

Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.

Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.

In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more

He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.

Rivers

Rivers Landlords Petitions IG Over Alleged Move to Demolish Their Estate

Published

5 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.

The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.

Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.

Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.

Rivers

NLNG, NCDMB Launch ICT Hub To Boost Tech Skills In Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.