Rivers
Info Perm Sec Hints On Plan To Fence The Tide Premises … Training For Information Officers
The Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications says it has secured approval from the government for the fencing of the premises of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Tide Newspaper.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Honour Sirawoo, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on him by Executive of The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, further said the Ministry has also secured approval for the training of about one hundred information officers.
Sir Sirawoo said the ministry is working hard to start its online publication, adding that to this end, the Ministry’s website, which has been moribund for sometime now, is being revived.
According to him, “We are going to start an online publication. We feel that this ministry can generate revenue just like the media houses.
“Because the only difference between them and us is that we have a full administrative structure, and if we expect them to generate revenue, we should also generate revenue.
“I think they have commenced the process of working on the website.”
The Permanent Secretary further stressed the need for staff of the ministry and its parastataals to be regular at work, adding that the ministry under his watch will not condone absenteeism and lateness to work.
“You know that when you come to work, you must do the right thing even if you are my friend”, he warned.
He said Information Officers at the local government areas must work as a way to realize their expertise, adding that they must report events in their areas to enable the ministry properly inform people about the state.
Meanwhile, Sir Sirawoo has called for collaboration between the NUJ and the ministry.
“We must work together to see that we enlighten people on what is appropriate and what is not appropriate.
“I also want to say that as a union we serve the government of the day, even if you have to critique the government you must get your facts right”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary, who blamed successive leaderships of the union for the dilapidated nature of the NUJ Secretariat, said time has come for the union leadership to work out an arrangement whereby the union’s secretariat can be made to generate revenue and income for the union.
He said one way of doing this is by leasing the edifice to private investors for its management and maintenance.
Sirawoo congratulated the union’s leadership for the peaceful outcome of the just-concluded NUJ election and urged the leadership to work as a team for the realization of set goals.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State Council, Comrade Paul Bazia, described the posting of Sir Sirawoo to the Ministry of Information and Communications as a home coming.
Comrade Bazia expressed optimism that Permanent Secretary will do well in the ministry, especially with his background as a cub reporter who rose from the rank and file to a Permanent Secretary.
“You have grown through the ranks from a cub reporter to become a Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, covered NDDC, and various beats.
“You rose to become chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State on two occasions, President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and you have become a Permanent Secretary.
“You have vast experience on the field as a journalist, and you are in deployment to the Ministry of Information and Communications at this time”, he said.
Mr. Bazia said the NUJ under his leadership is working hard to change the narrative of the state, adding in doing this the state-owned media houses must be revived to meet up its responsibilities.
According to the Chairman, “We are going to showcase the areas where the state has strength and where there are investment opportunities.
“We plan to also host a media summit later in the year around September to also look at the opportunities that we have in the blue economy, the tourism sector”, he said.
John Bibor & Edidiong Johnson
Continue Reading
The Chief of the Rivers State Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Engr. Akobo Monibo, alongside other executive officers of the agency, received the leadership of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), Rivers State Council, during a courtesy and interactive meeting held at the office of the Chief VIO.
The delegation was led by the State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Tamunoiminabo Toby, accompanied by other executive members of the union.
Speaking during the meeting, Engr. Akobo Monibo expressed appreciation to the union leadership for identifying with the VIO at this crucial time and commended the union for its commitment towards workers’ welfare and institutional development.
According to him, the responsibilities of the VIO remain enormous and vital to the development of a safer transportation system within the state.
In his response, the State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Tamunoiminabo Toby, appreciated the warm reception and hospitality extended to the union delegation by the leadership of the VIO.
He explained that the purpose of the courtesy visit was to facilitate the establishment of an AUPCTRE Unit or Chapter within the VIO, noting that the union already has members within the Ministry of Transport and other related agencies.
The chairman further emphasized the benefits of union membership, especially in promoting workers’ welfare, unity, cooperation, and professional representation within government establishments.
Also speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Chief VIO, Comrade Livings Denoi, appreciated the union for the visit and welcomed the move towards establishing a VIO Chapter of AUPCTRE, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening collaboration and staff welfare within the agency.
Other personalities present during the meeting included Sup. Stella Jacks and the State Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Okpeyeme Adebajo, alongside other officials from both organizations.
The meeting ended on a cordial note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to partnership, institutional growth, and the promotion of efficient service delivery in Rivers State.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched its 2026 flood disaster response campaign as flooding threats loom in Rivers and 21 other states across the country.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, flagged off the exercise during a stakeholders’ engagement in Port Harcourt.
The campaign is themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria.”
Represented by the agency’s Acting Director, South-South Zonal Directorate, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, Umar said the campaign was designed to drive early and coordinated action to save lives and livelihoods before the imminent flood.
”The campaign further seeks to promote proactive disaster management through stronger institutions and define clearer responsibilities among stakeholders.
“Each year, lives are lost, livelihoods are disrupted, and public and private infrastructure worth billions of naira are damaged.
“Communities also bear the burden of injuries, displacement, and the loss of life savings due to unmitigated flood events and their secondary effects”, she said.
Umar continued that the 2026 flood outlook predicted that 22 states and the FCT, covering 132 local government areas, fall within high flood-risk zones.
She added that another 14 states, covering 148 local government areas, had been classified as moderate-risk areas.
The NEMA boss explained that the agency had already convened an expert review meeting to assess the implications of the forecasts and develop strategies to minimise anticipated impacts.
She identified likely challenges to include delayed or erratic rainfall, shorter growing seasons, above-normal rainfall in some areas, prolonged dry spells, and rising temperatures.
“These factors are expected to affect key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, water supply, education, and overall public wellbeing”, she said.
She further disclosed that NEMA had developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to reduce flood impacts nationwide.
According to her, the framework includes capacity building for local responders, simulation exercises, strict adherence to weather advisories, prepositioning of relief materials, infrastructure integrity assessments, and development of community evacuation plans.
The NEMA boss said the agency had also identified flood risk profiles for vulnerable communities through its flood early warning system and procured vulnerability maps to support planning.
“Beyond this engagement with stakeholders, the agency is deploying technical teams to all states of the federation for direct community outreach.
“These efforts will be supported by State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, and community volunteers”, she said.
Umar called on traditional rulers, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and private sector to support the dissemination of early warning information.
Also speaking, the Head of Emergency and Disaster Management at the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Tamunosiki Ogbanga, said the agency had commenced evaluation and monitoring of flood-prone areas across the state.
Ogbanga said SEMA, under the Rivers State Ministry of Special Duties, had begun reviewing possible mitigation measures and monitoring flood flashpoints to reduce the impact of flooding on residents.
“Our plan for the evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas is part of our ongoing evacuation and monitoring exercise”, he said.
Ogbanga explained that residents in vulnerable communities would be relocated to safer locations whenever the need arises.
“Where they cannot get a safe place, SEMA will relocate them to temporary Internally Displaced Persons camps and provide the necessary support”, he added.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response across Rivers State.
Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty King Leslie N. Eke, has attributed the steady development witnessed in Rivers State to what he described as the peaceful and purposeful leadership style of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Eke stated this recently while chatting with newsmen at his palace in Woji Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The chat was part of his reactions on the activities marking the 59th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State and the celebration of the Governor’s three years in office.
The royal father noted that since the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, the state had passed through different political, economic and security challenges, but that the present administration had sustained relative peace across the state.
According to him, peace remains the bedrock of development, stressing that no society can attain meaningful growth and infrastructural advancement in an atmosphere of rancour and instability.
The Nyerisi Eli Woji cum Eze Woji XII, commended the Governor for promoting unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state, adding that “the Governor’s calm disposition and inclusive style of governance had contributed immensely to the prevailing harmony being enjoyed in many parts of the state.”
The monarch, who is also the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, observed that the administration had continued to record visible achievements in critical sectors of the economy despite prevailing political tensions in the state.
He further stated that the Governor had demonstrated maturity and commitment in the handling of state affairs, particularly in security and community relations, which he said had encouraged investors and businesses to operate without fear.
King Eke explained that traditional rulers across the state remained key stakeholders in the sustenance of peace, noting that the synergy between the government and traditional institution had helped in addressing communal disputes and youth restiveness in some areas.
The first class monarch urged Rivers people to continue supporting the present administration in order to consolidate on the gains already recorded in infrastructural development, healthcare delivery and human capital development.
He also called on political actors and stakeholders in the state to place the interest of Rivers State above personal ambitions, saying that the progress of the state should remain a collective responsibility of all citizens.
The royal father appealed to youths in the state to shun violence and criminal activities, while embracing dialogue, education and legitimate means of livelihood that would contribute positively to the growth of the state.
He expressed optimism that Rivers State would continue to experience greater peace, unity and development under the Governor’s leadership, and prayed for wisdom and strength for him as he pilots the affairs of the state.
King Onunwor
-
News1 day ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News1 day ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Niger Delta1 day agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support