News

Trouble Brews in Egi Kingdom Over $30m Total Energy Gas Eruption Fund

Published

16 hours ago

August 18, 2025

Trouble is currently brewing in Egi Kingdom of Rivers State over the alleged dethronement of the Eze Egi, HRM Victor Egbo Elenwa, by the Egi Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.

The Tide learnt that the alleged dethronement was in connection with the $30 million Total Energy gas eruption fund to Egi community.

According to the chairman of the Egi Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Chief Zion Nwabueze Omekwe, the Eze Egi was dethroned because of his alleged move to convert the money for his personal use.

According to Chief Zion, after discovery that the money was intact contrary to earlier speculation that it was embezzled, the council of chiefs called on Eze Victor to forget about the prosecution of sons and daughters of the Kingdom but he refused.

Chief Zion who spoke to newsmen during the Igwu Achi festival at his palace at Obiyebe, recently, said there was a problem in the council concerning the refusal of Eze Egi to forgo the prosecution of some sons and daughters of the Kingdom.

He said, “There is a problem between Eze Egi and sons of Egi kingdom over $30 million. I am the chairman, when we went into the matter, we find out that we were accusing some people wrongly.

“We called on Eze Egi that now that we have found out that this money ($30 million) is intact, there is no need prosecuting our sons and daughters, let us make peace so that Egi kingdom will move forward but he refused, not knowing that he had a hidden agenda whereby this money will be paid to his own personal account.”

Chief Zion alleged that the Egi monarch even went as far as tricking them by employing the services of one Oceania contractor to raise a document for them to sign so that the money will be paid to his account

“Upon all the advice we gave to him, he refused, but rather he is focused in getting the money.

“This money is an eruption money. This money was in agreement between Egi people and Total Energy which is $30million and this $30million are specified in different positions.

“The institutions have their own quotas, the Egi people have their own quotas and the one we will use for projects in Egi “he said.

He said despite the Council’s plea, the Egi monarch went on to suspend him and the secretary of the Egi Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Chief London Oleanya from the Council.

Corroborating Chief Zion’s allegation, Chief Oleanya said Eze Elenwa breached the constitution of the Council by suspending him and the chairman of the Council.

He said $30 million was paid by Total Energy to the Egi people in 2014, adding that after several litigations, a consent judgement was reached between the people and Total Energy.

Oleanya said even the Inspector General of Police and the EFCC received petitions to this effect from Eze Elenwa and advised them to go back home and resolve the matter amicably.

He, however, said the issue of their suspension from the Council is already before an Omoku High Court

However, in a reaction, the Special Assistant on Media to Eze Elenwa, Engr Denis Ile, described the alleged dethronement of the Egi monarch as provocative, adding that both Eze Zion and Chief Oleanya have no powers to dethrone the Egi monarch since they are no longer members of the Egi Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.

According to a WhatsApp message he posted

“The Egi Kingdom Traditional Institution has issued an official response condemning the recent false and provocative statements made by the suspended former Chairman and Secretary of the Egi Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Chief Zion Omekwe and Chief Oleanya London.

“In a press statement released at the weekend, the Egi Kingdom Council described the duo’s claim of “dethroning His Royal Majesty, Eze Victor Egbo Elenwa JP (Eze Egi III, Eze Ogba-Ukwu of Ogba-land) as baseless, laughable, and legally invalid.

“Eze Victor Egbo Elenwa remains the undisputed and legally recognized monarch of Egi Kingdom.”

Ile called on the public to disregard the falsehoods and support the preservation of the sacred traditional institution.

He further called on the Rivers State Administrator and the security agencies to call Chief Zion and Chief Oleanya to order, as their actions could cause breach of peace and communal war in the oil rich Egi kingdom.

By: John Bibor

News

Church Renders Free Medical Outreach, Others To Host Communities

Published

15 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

16 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

16 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.