Rivers
RSG Tasks NIPR To Project Rivers Good Image
The Rivers State Government has called on members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Rivers State Chapter, to always project the image of the State in good light.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Press Secretary to the Head of Service, Dr Eric Godam, and made available to The Tide.
According to the statement, the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George C. Nwaeke, made the call while addressing the Executive members of the NIPR who were on a courtesy visit to his office in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Nwaeke explained that the NIPR was in a vantage position to market the image of Nigeria as a nation and Rivers State, especially, as the emerging energy hub of the country due to its long term experience in image and reputation management.
According to the Head of Service, many prevailing crisis in the world today are traceable to poor Public Relations management and urged the Institute to galvanize more effort in ensuring effective communication in the society.
He assured the readiness of the Rivers State Government to synergize with the Institute to ensure proper cadrerization of its members in the State Civil Service as ordered by the National Council on Establishment.
Dr. Nwaeke also charged the Institute to lobby the National Assembly to make laws that would ensure the eradication of quackery from the system to pave way for the engagement of professionals in Public Relations management in the country.
He, described the Institute’s visit to his office as apt, especially now that the State was battling with the opposition’s determined efforts to demarket the state.
The Head of Service further assured that the State Government was ready to partner with the Institute to ensure the workforce is trained on issues of reputation management for better service delivery.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of NIPR, Rivers State Chapter, Reverend Francis Asuk, had thanked the HOS for hosting the Institute and congratulated him on his appointment as the Head of the Civil Service in the State.
He intimated the HOS of NIPR’s readiness to partner with the government in managing the image of the State in order to preserve its hard earned reputation.
Rev. Asuk sought the support of the State Government in domesticating the 2023 Memo from the National Council on Establishment regarding the proper cadrerization of its members practicing Public Relations in the Civil Service.
According to him, the cadrerization will assist the Institute in driving home its efforts in combating quackery in the practice of Public Relations in the State and indeed, the nation at large.
Adding his voice to the narrative, former Chairman of the Institute and currently a Member of Council, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, eulogized the effort of the HOS in galvanizing swift changes that have ensured good governance in the civil service in the state.
He advised the State Government to key into the domestication of the cadrerization process in order to avoid picketing from the National Council.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare, Office of the Head of Service, Dr I. Mrs Inyingi Brown, thanked the Institute for the visit.
She assured that the State Government would be ready for developmental partnership with the Institute in order to build the capacity of the state workforce.
John Bibor
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The Rivers State Police Command has foiled what appeared to be a criminal operation and recovered an illegal firearm ingeniously concealed inside a loaf of bread during a routine security operation in Port Harcourt.
This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the operation formed part of intensified crime prevention measures directed by the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, aimed at strengthening internal security and curbing criminal activities across the state.
The Command disclosed that the breakthrough occurred along Azikiwe Road by Red Cross Junction, Port Harcourt, when operatives on routine stop-and-search duty intercepted a vehicle and carried out a detailed screening of passengers and their belongings.
During the search, officers reportedly discovered a Browning pistol carefully hidden inside a loaf of bread allegedly belonging to one Braya Nanas, identified as a male resident of New Road, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, who was travelling in the vehicle.
Police said the unusual concealment method immediately raised suspicion, leading to the suspect’s arrest and further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm.
Preliminary findings, according to the Command, revealed that the recovered pistol had no visible serial number, creating concerns over its source and possible intended use.
Investigators further quoted the suspect as allegedly admitting ownership of the weapon and stating that he purchased it in Okrika at the rate of N800,000.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, warned that criminal elements continue to adopt increasingly deceptive methods to evade security checks and law enforcement surveillance.
He urged residents of Rivers State to remain alert and security conscious, stressing that the discovery of a firearm hidden inside an everyday food item underscores the need for heightened public vigilance.
The Police Commissioner also cautioned members of the public against accepting, transporting or keeping items whose contents are unknown, noting that such actions could unknowingly aid criminal activities.
The Command, therefore, called on residents to sustain collaboration with security agencies through timely and credible information sharing, insisting that effective policing remains dependent on active community participation and collective responsibility in building a safer Rivers State.
King Onunwor
As part of efforts to enhance his administration’s commitment to economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development across the Local Government Area (LGA), the Chairman of Okrika LGA, Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, has officially flagged off the second phase of the Tobin Akuro Prosperity Pathway (TAPP) Programme.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Conference Hall of the LGA’s Council Secretariat, marked another milestone in the council’s drive to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents through targeted empowerment initiatives.
The event attracted key government officials and stakeholders, including the Secretary to Okrika Local Government Council, Hon. Oforiokuma Kwani; the Special Adviser on Empowerment, Hon. Adokiye Ogbogara; members of the Empowerment Committee; and other council officials.
In a symbolic presentation during the ceremony, the Empowerment Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon. Kingsley Ibanichuka, presented a specially designed photo frame and a commemorative photo book showcasing the achievements and impact of the first phase of the programme.
The committee also unveiled and presented the official branded polo shirt and fez cap for Phase II of the empowerment initiative to the Chairman.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman commended members of the Empowerment Committee for their dedication, transparency, and commitment in implementing the programme.
He noted that the success recorded in the first phase had encouraged the administration to expand the initiative in order to reach more residents and create greater economic opportunities.
According to the council boss, the Tobin Akuro Prosperity Pathway Programme was conceived as a strategic intervention aimed at reducing poverty, stimulating local enterprise, and equipping youths and entrepreneurs with the resources and skills needed to become self-reliant and productive members of society.
He disclosed that under Phase II of the programme, about 400 business owners and traders across Okrika would receive cash grants to strengthen and expand their businesses.
The intervention, he said, is expected to boost small-scale enterprises, enhance household incomes, and stimulate economic activities within the local economy.
Tobin further revealed that hundreds of youths would benefit from sponsored vocational and technical skills acquisition programmes in various fields, including scaffolding, fashion designing, welding, makeup and gele artistry, Total Glam, and several other vocational trades considered relevant in today’s economy.
The Chairman emphasized that the initiative goes beyond financial support, stressing that the programme is designed to build human capacity, encourage entrepreneurship, and create a pathway for sustainable wealth creation among beneficiaries.
“Our vision is to empower our people with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to succeed. We believe that when individuals are economically empowered, families become stronger, communities become more prosperous, and development becomes sustainable”, he stated.
He urged prospective beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by applying themselves diligently to the skills training and utilizing the grants responsibly to achieve long-term economic growth.
Tobin also reassured residents that his administration would continue to implement people-oriented policies and programmes aimed at improving living standards and expanding opportunities for all segments of society.
Observers at the event described the TAPP initiative as one of the most impactful empowerment programmes undertaken by the present administration, citing its focus on entrepreneurship development, youth engagement, and poverty reduction.
Meanwhile, the main empowerment event has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during which beneficiaries are expected to receive cash grants and vocational training support packages.
Since its inception, the TAPP has emerged as the flagship empowerment programme of the Okrika Local Government administration, touching lives across communities and reinforcing the council’s commitment to inclusive growth, economic prosperity, and the overall welfare of the people of Okrika.
The commencement of Phase II is expected to further consolidate the gains of the programme, while opening new opportunities for hundreds of residents seeking economic advancement and self-sufficiency.
Michael T. Abraham
The Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Amairigha Hart, has said the Ministry has intensified efforts to improve the safety of buildings through stronger collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
Amairigha, who said this at a strategic inter-agency meeting held in Port Harcourt, weekend, disclosed that the collaboration is aimed at establishing a unified operational framework to prevent overlaps and ensure coordinated action among agencies involved in the built environment.
Stressing the importance of collaboration in preventing structural failures and building collapses, the Commissioner said the regulatory and emergency response agencies must work together to ensure strict compliance with approved building standards and due process at every stage of construction.
He commended the prompt response of the Federal Housing Authority and NEMA to the recent building collapse along Peter Odili Road, describing their swift mobilisation as crucial to ongoing rescue efforts.
Providing an update on the incident, Hart disclosed that search, rescue and evacuation operations were still in progress.
He added that technical teams were carrying out a controlled demolition of the remaining lift shaft and stair core to prevent a secondary collapse and safeguard rescue personnel as well as neighbouring properties.
The Commissioner further emphasised that collaboration among agencies should go beyond emergency situations, noting that proactive monitoring and enforcement are essential to preventing future construction-related disasters.
The meeting ended with participants harmonising operational information and agreeing on measures to strengthen supervision, compliance monitoring and joint inspections of ongoing and future construction projects across Rivers State.
The resolution is expected to enhance coordination among state and federal agencies and promote safer building practices in the state.
King Onunwor
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