Rivers
RSG Condemns Acts Of GBV … Calls For Collective Action
The Rivers State Government (RSG) has condemned acts that constitute Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the State.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, who made the condemnation, weekend, at an end of year/staff appreciation event organised by Divine Mercy Properties Limited, in Port Harcourt, said such acts are inimical to the growth and development of women and children in the society.
In line with the UN declaration of 16 days of Activism against GBV globally, the Commissioner led a sensitization campaign against child molestation, women trafficking and child labour to the even, in commemoration of the 16 days.
Speaking at the went, Dr. Uranta described GBV as crimes “not only against women and children, but also against humanity at large”.
She, therefore, called for greater support from the menfolk to ensure that GBV crimes are completely eradicated from society.
She emphasized on the critical role of women in nation building and encouraged the men to assist the women to express their individualists and make them gain self actualization, which, she said, “would help in boosting the confidence of the women”.
A statement by the Head of Press in the Ministry, Joy Sarima Ibi Briggs, said the Commissioner called on “men generally to emulate the leadership style and culture of inclusive as exemplified by the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara”.
The statement quoted the Commissioner as noting that the Governor “had given women in the state the opportunity to assert themselves and be part of strategic decision-making processes and positions in the state”.
Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and former Deputy Governor of the State, Alabo GTG Toby, commended the management of Mercy Divine Properties for putting in place a commendable reward system in honour of staff who have put in dedication and hard work during the current business year.
He encouraged staff and partners of the organization who were being rewarded with various gifts, ranging from cars to landed property in choice locations within the city, not to “drop the ball, but work harder to achieve greater success and cover more milestones in the coming business year”.
On her part, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Divine Mercy Properties, Mrs. Mercy Amatemeso, said her organisation had been in the business of giving back to society for the past 23 years, adding that she was pleased to identify with the Rivers State Government and gave assurances of stronger partnerships with Government.
Attributing her success to God, she stated that beyond staff of the organization who were being rewarded, agents and clients who have distinguished themselves in carrying out their responsibilities during the year were also being rewarded to serve as a morale booster and source of encouragement for them to do more in the future.
Mrs. Blessing David Muyiwa and Blessing Ugha, both staff of Mercy Divine Properties who all got car gifts at the ceremony, expressed joy at the gifts they received, saying they got nominated by a dint of hard work and dedication to their responsibilities.
About five widows nominated by the State Ministry of Women Affairs were presented with bags of rice by the organisers, in support of the advocacy and sensitization campaign on 16 days of activism against gender based violence in the state.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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