The Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission (RSLGSC), Sir Israel N. Amadi, has charged members of the Ad-Hoc Biometric Verification Complaints Committee set up to address issues arising from the just-concluded biometric verification exercise to be prudent and timely in the discharge of their assignment.
Amadi, who gave the charge at the inauguration of the committee in Port Harcourt, weekend, said the committee was constituted to provide an avenue for workers who were not captured during the exercise, and those who felt they were wrongly affected by its outcome, to present their complaints for proper consideration.
He urged the members to approach the assignment with fairness, diligence and objectivity, stressing the need to carefully examine every complaint brought before them. According to him, the committee’s work was particularly important because the biometric verification exercise had generated concerns among some workers, adding that genuine cases should be given proper attention.
The Chairman continued that the Commission expected the committee to complete its assignment within the stipulated period and submit its findings for further consideration.
He disclosed that the 12-member committee will be headed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Dr. Mina Jaja, and has one month to complete its assignment.
Other members of the committee are: Dame Tong Awani; Dr. Gwara L. Nuka; Dame Josephine Chukwujwe; Sammy Apiafi; and the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Hon. Alwell Ihunda.
Others are the President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State Council; the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Council; and the Biometric Verification Consultant, Charles Emini.
The Assistant Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Rivers State, Samuel Epogo, and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, are to serve as observers to the committee, while Warisenibo Ubani I. George, is the Secretary of the committee.
Speaking on behalf of the members, Jaja assured that the committee would justify the confidence reposed in it by being thorough, diligent and objective in handling the complaints before it.

King Onunwor

There are strong indications that the Federal Government has paused the push for resumption of oil prospecting in Ogoniland.
The Tide gathered that the development was the outcome of a meeting held in Abuja last Thursday with stakeholders involved in the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC).
The meeting was presided over by the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Olaka Nwogu, who appeared to take a coordinating role in the new arrangement.
One of the major developments from the meeting was the reported dissolution of the previous harmonisation ew members. committee and the constitution of a new committee with new members.
To this end, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU ) is expected to be entered with a number of new changes aimed at addressing some of the Ogoni stakeholders. concerns raised by Ogoni stakeholders.
The new harmonisation team is expected to review and reconcile the various interests and submissions surrounding the Ogoni dialogue process.
It was also disclosed that the names of the 40 Ogoni youths associated with the process, and the names of contractors handling the Confidence Building Projects, will soon be made public.
The disclosure is expected to provide greater clarity on the beneficiaries and contractors rounding the process.

Involved in the projects and address concerns over alleged lack of information surrounding the process.
Another key decision from the Abuja meeting was the commitment to greater access to information for members of the ODC.
Participants were reportedly assured that information concerning the dialogue process would no longer be restricted, with emphasis placed on inclusiveness and broader participation.
Recall that a fortnight ago, the Ogoni socio-cultural group, KAGOTE, organised protests and addressed a press conference over concerns about transparency, inclusiveness and the handling of the process.

Kevin Nengia

The Founder/ Executive Director of Mother of Good Counsel Initiatives (MOGCI), Lady Doris Onyeneke, and the Face of the Campaign for the 2026 Sexual and Reproductive Health Summit, Dr. Vetty Agala, have called for concerted action to address the growing vulnerability of the girl-child to early sexual activity, poverty, cultism, kidnapping and other social vices.
They made the call recently when MOGCI and stakeholders visited the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Port Harcourt, as part of preparations for a pre-summit dialogue on the theme, “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sustainable Development: The Nexus.”
Onyeneke said poverty, certain cultural practices, inadequate parental control and poor upbringing had contributed to the challenges confronting girls and young women in some communities, stressing that families, communities and relevant stakeholders must work collectively to protect the girl-child.
The MOGCI chief expressed concern that some girls were compelled by circumstances to begin catering for themselves at an early age, without adequate parental guidance, training and economic support, thereby exposing them to early sexual relationships and other negative influences.
According to her, poverty remained a major factor driving the vulnerability of some young girls, while parental negligence and inadequate upbringing could further compound the situation, particularly where parents were unable to provide the necessary care, supervision and guidance.
Onyeneke also raised concerns over cultural and family practices that could weaken parental control, noting that where parents failed to establish appropriate boundaries and monitor their children, young citing their future girls could become increasingly exposed to negative influences and circumstances capable of affecting their future.
She identified peer-group influence as another major factor responsible for early sexual activity among girls, stressing the need for parents and guardians to maintain closer relationships with their children, understand their challenges and provide the guidance and support required as they grow.
She said the consequences of vulnerability went beyond sexual and reproductive health, noting that young people deprived of adequate parental care, education and positive opportunities could also become exposed to cultism, kidnapping, theft, conflicts and other social vices.

King Onunwor