The Rivers State Association of The Deaf has called on the State Government to strengthen the implementation of disability rights laws, and construct more schools for deaf children in the state.

It also called for the expansion of employment and empowerment opportunities for persons with hearing impairments in the state.

The association made the call recently at the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week held at the Women Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt,

The week has as its theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights: Advancing Deaf People’s Human Rights in Rivers State.”

The programme, organised by the Rivers State Association of the Deaf (RSAD), was aimed at raising awareness about the rights, welfare and challenges of deaf persons and promoting theirinclusion in governance, education, healthcare, employment and other aspects of society.

The South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Henry Obotu, said one of the major challenges confronting deaf persons in Rivers State was their exclusion from government activities and inadequate access to public information because of communication barriers.

Obotu called for the effective implementation of disability rights legislation, stressing that deaf persons should enjoy equal opportunities and participate fully in public life.in public life.

He noted that government announcements and other important information were often disseminated without sign language interpretations, thereby making it difficult for deaf persons to understand issues affecting them.

Obotu urged media organisations to incorporate captions and subtitles into their broadcasts and public information materials to ensure that members of the deaf community were not left behind.

According to him, the establishment of specialized schools and learning centres for deaf persons, their educational and communication needs required appropriate attention and support.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Association of theDeaf, Comrade So-oriari T. Beneth, called for greater government support for the deaf community, including skills acquisition programmes, employment opportunities and improved educational facilities.

Beneth expressed appreciation to the state government for its support for the association, but stressed the need for sustained commitment to the welfare and empowerment of deaf persons.

He identified education, economic empowerment and accessibility as key areas requiring government intervention, and urged authorities to provide adequate resources for schools serving deaf students and expand vocational training and employment opportunities.

According to him, investing in the deaf community would enable its members to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of Rivers State.

Godslove Justice, Sunday Naomi &Christopher Kelechi

The Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Leslie N. Eke, has declared zero tolerance for land grabbing, fraudulent land transactions and unlawful destruction of properties in hos kingdom, and warned  perpetrators to desist or face prosecution.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Human Rights and External Relations to the monarch, Chief Omenazu Jackson, in Port Harcourt.

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom expressed displeasure over reports of illegal land acquisition, demolition of buildings, destruction of farmlands and displacement of residents from their homes by suspected land speculators across Evo Kingdom.

He described the alleged activities as a serious threat to the ancestral heritage, economic livelihoods, security and peaceful coexistence of the Evo people, saying that the kingdom would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the lawful rights of its people.

“Evo Kingdom is not a no-man’s land, and we will not surrender our ancestral heritage to land grabbers, fraudulent speculators or their willing collaborators. Our ancestral lands are not available for unlawful acquisition, intimidation or destruction”, the statement quoted the monarch.

He stressed that the protection of ancestral lands was fundamental to preserving the identity, history and collective heritage of Evo Kingdom, warning individuals and groups against laying claim to, selling or developing land without establishing legitimate legal ownership.

He also cautioned prospective land buyers, property developers and investors to conduct proper investigations, verify land titles and ensure that transactions complied with applicable laws and recognised landholding procedures before committing their resources.

The Eze Oha Evo III called on the Nigeria Police Force, relevant security agencies, land administration authorities and prosecutor institutions to investigate reported cases of land grabbing, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He urged community leaders, landholding families and residents to cooperate with lawful authorities by reporting suspicious land transactions, illegal encroachments, threats and acts of destruction of property.

While reaffirming his commitment to peace and the peaceful resolution of disputes, the monarch said the protection of Evo Kingdom’s ancestral heritage must not be compromised by individuals seeking unlawful personal gains.

He stated that ancestral lands throughout the kingdom must be respected, legitimate property rights protected, and anyone involved in illegal land grabbing held accountable through appropriate legal processes.

He advised residents, landowners, investors and prospective property developers to respect the territorial heritage of Evo Kingdom and ensure that all land-related transactions were conducted transparently and in accordance with the law.

King Onunwor

The Head of Chiefs in Nkpolu, Rumuigbo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Ogwutum Ezekiel, has decried the deplorable condition of schools in the community, disclosing that pupils have stopped attending the secondary school due to the challenges facing the facility.
Eze Ezekiel, who made this known recently in an exclusive interview with Tide, in Rumuigbo, also lamented the poor state of the community’s primary school and roads, calling on the government to urgently intervene to address the situation.
He expressed concern over the state of educational infrastructure in Nkpolu, stressing the need for the relevant authorities to restore conducive learning conditions for children in the community.
The traditional leader said the situation required urgent attention, noting that access to functional schools was essential to the educational development and future of children in the area.
He also called on youths and other residents of Nkpolu to maintain peace during elections, and urged eligible voters to cast their votes peacefully and return to their homes afterwards.
He warned against violence and the disruption of electoral activities at polling units, stressing that “youths and other members of the community must conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after elections.”

On the relationship between Nkpolu and neighbouring communities, he explained that Nkpolu falls under Apara, which is also under Egbema, adding that the paramount ruler of Apara hails from Nkpolu.
He stated that there was no dispute between Nkpolu and the neighbouring communities, and that their traditional and communal relationships remained peaceful.
Speaking on land grabbing, Eze Ezekiel said he had not experienced any case of forceful land acquisition in the community, saying that the land in question had been sold and was almost fully developed.
On development projects, the community leader identified the ongoing installation of solar streetlights as one of the developments in Nkpolu.
He also mentioned a hall constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), existing streetlights and road repairs among projects associated with the commission, while reiterating the need for further infrastructural development.
The paramount ruler further disclosed that his traditional stool had yet to receive official government recognition, but expressed optimism that it would eventually be recognised.
He appealed to the government to address the challenges confronting Nkpolu, particularly the poor condition of schools and roads, while urging residents to sustain the peace and unity necessary for the community’s development.

By: Goodness Emelue & Fruitful Wodi