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Why We Called For Lokpobiri’s Redeployment -IYC

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2024

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has clarified that the reason it called for the redeployment of the Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, was not borne out of parochial sentiment, but out of genuine desire to address issues bedeviling the petroleum sector.
The IYC in a statement signed by Maobuye Nangi Obu, the IYC Secretary-General; Comrade Miracle Iyaye, National Women Leader; Tamunotonye David Altraide, National Legal Adviser and Comrade Abiye Bob-Manuel, National Deputy Director of Mobilisation, said since the emergence of Dr. Lokpobiri as the portfolio’s minister, there had been unresolved issues from his office, threatening the country’s economy.
The council insisted that Lokpobiri’s continuous stay in the office, where he lacked the expertise, was making life difficult for Niger Delta people and the country.
The council frowned at the negative insinuations its earlier statement generated and insisted that there was no time it called for the removal of Lokpobiri as a minister.
The IYC executive members observed with dismay that instead of addressing their concerns, some persons were already reaching out to the minister to milk him financially with a promise that they would tame us.
The IYC officials said contrary to the position of the IYC Spokesman that the council passed a vote of confidence in Lokpobiri, there was no time a meeting was called for such purpose, insisting that no confidence vote on the minister was passed by the council.
They clarified that only the Secretary-General of IYC reserved the right to convene the meeting of council to deliberate on issues such as confidence votes.
They further added that instead of addressing issues they raised in their statement, the Minister had resorted to using his younger brother, Jonathan Lokpobiri, who is the President of IYC to attack and try to intimidate them.
The officials said: “We are not attacking the personality of the Minister and we are not saying that he is not an illustrious son of the Ijaw nation.
“All we are saying is that the Minister is occupying an office he knows nothing about and that he lacked the knowledge to confront the issues bedeviling the oil subsector of the petroleum industry. His lack of capacity and technical know-how is eroding the gains of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our observations have been confirmed by the President of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOST COM) High Chief Benjamin Tamaranebi, when he led members of his organisation to visit the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, at the weekend.
“Instead of embarking on a witch-hunt against us, we advise the Minister to sit up and address issues causing hardship for Nigerians and giving President Tinubu’s administration a bad name”.
The council said it only wanted the minister to be posted to a ministry where he could utilise his experience and recalled that Lokpobiri performed better when he was the Minister of State for Agriculture.
The executive officials, however, said Lokpobiri could begin to exert himself as the minister of Petroleum, oil, by explaining the current crisis in the petroleum sector and circumstances surrounding the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
The council insisted that in developed countries, ministers, who discovered that there were forces stopping them from discharging their duties either sought redeployments or resign their offices.
The officials said being a Minister in a critical subsector like oil, which is the nucleus of the Nigerian economy, without having the powers to call the shots, would continue to give the occupant of such office a bad name.
The IYC officials said: “Our statement was not borne out of any parochial sentiment. We have highest regard for the Minister having served in different capacities. But what we are saying is that his continuous stay in the Ministry is making things more difficult for people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians.
“What we expected was for the issues we raised to be addressed. But sadly, political jobbers, disgruntled elements and some expired politicians have jumped in to catch on the issue and milk the Minister dry. They want to milk him with the assurance of taming us. He should be weary of them.
“We also want to restate that we didn’t call for his sack as some people have been saying. We only ask for his redeployment which is not out of place. He did far better as Minister of State for Agriculture so if this current position is overwhelming then he should be moved to another ministry.
“We have said that we will not support a non-Bayelsan or ijaw to occupy that office. So, even if he is redeployed we are advocating for his replacement to come from the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
“Those attributing out position to be a declaration of war between the Eastern and Central zone are missing the point. We will not condescend to their absurd level of reasoning and thinking.
“We want to be personal, there are too many things before us that we will unleash but we don’t want to go there. We call on the Honorable Minister to explain to Nigerians what is going on with the Port Harcourt and Warri Refinery and also tell those around him not to aggravate issues”.

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Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor