Rivers

MOSIEND Sues For Peace, Not Criminality – President

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2023

Foremost Mass Mobilisation Organisation in Niger Delta region, the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, has urged stakeholders from Izon nations to sue for peace, ensure true Izon struggle and shun criminality.
MOSIEND also appealed to the stakeholders to ensure that the Ijaw territories are peaceful, safe and conducive for businesses to thrive.
National President, MOSIEND, Ambassador Kennedy Tonjo West, made that call to newsmen during an interview in Port Harcourt.
“In the face of insensitivity of government actors, multinational companies have kept the region and its citizens in a difficult situation, where weak minds engaged in one form of criminality or another to survive.
“There’s need for a paradigm shift, as these activities, over the years, have brought nothing but pain, underdevelopment and misery upon the people.
“The people must now look inwardly and eke out a living through legitimate, business, favourable environment, through the abundance of natural resources deposited in the Niger Delta, such as agriculture, fishing and mining, etc, rather than engage in unholy practices”, he said.
He urged the youths to desist from violent behaviors, such as killings, sea piracy, oil theft, kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy, blackmail and pull down syndrome among Ijaw sons and daughters for selfish reasons.
West attributed these acts to poverty and unemployment amongst the youths across Ijaw nation which have had negative toll on the people.
“The time has come to draw the line between the Ijaw struggle and criminality. The two are like light and darkness which never mix.
“It is time for everyone to understand that the development they yearn for may never come, if people continue to engage in activities that drive away investors or cause instability, panic and uncertainty”, he stated
Ambassador West also emphasized the need for stakeholders and other players to collaborate with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) to better the lots of the people and attract development n to the communities.
“There is more to achieve in working together with these Federal Government institutions, rather than going to war over personal, insignificant matters which have never yielded any positive result”, West emphasized.
The MOSIEND leader appealed to those with political power and influence, nationally and internationally, State or Federal level to use the opportunity to better the people of the Niger Delta.
He said this is, “so that poverty, hardship, underdevelopment, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and other vices can reduce drastically, thereby increasing the chances of building a better and safer Ijaw nation which will be the envy of all”.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

Published

9 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

10 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

10 hours ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor