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Journalists, Others Mourn The Tide Editor
The remains of the Editor of The Tide on Sunday and a former member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr Friday Benruth Nwinudee, have been interred at Kono, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. Late Nwinudee, a former Secretary of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) died in April at the age of 51.
Speaking at the funeral service held at the Kono Secondary School field, Saturday, the priest in charge of the Kono Circuit of the Methodist Church, The Revd Dee Baridilo Legbara said death is the beginning of a new life, as it marks the moment of transition from the mortality to be with the creator in eternity and warned on the need for all to live carefully with the fear of God.
According to him, funeral service was not just to commit the deceased to God or eulogise him for what he may have done while he lived, it was a time for the living to understand that he has limited time on earth and that he should reflect on himself to ensure that he was in good standing with God.
He admonished the family and associates of late Nwinudee to support the family and ensure that the children he left behind do not suffer. “Nobody should trifle with whatever Friday Nwinudee has left to help the education of his children including whatever is due him from his place of employment,” the priest said.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide newspapers, Mr Celestine Ogolo, on behalf of the Commissioner for Information and Communications, assured the corporation’s commitment to ensure that the late Editor gets his due.
The chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State, Mr Opaka Dokubo, described late Friday Nwinudee as a core professional who gave his all to journalism, and expressed hope that from the same creator would emerge his ashes.
A former colleague of Late Nwinudee who represented the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Fred Fabor conveyed the sympathy of the NGE President, Mr Gbenga Adefuye, stated that the deceased was in the National Executive Council of the Guild as a thorough-bred investigative journalist, adding that the late editor had challenged all journalists on what legacy to have for posterity.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, described late Friday Nwinudee as an excellent and prolific writer who will be missed by his people, adding that his contributions to the development of his society would not be forgotten.
The former deputy speaker in the House, Hon. Charles Befii sympathised with the family, and remarked that the death Friday Nwinudee had again brought into focus the vanity of life.
Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State and member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke said the deceased was an astute writer who set out to revolutionalise the society, adding that Nwinudee gave very positive direction to journalists as secretary of the NUJ.
Prince Nwuke promised to support the family of the deceased and fund the education of the two daughters of Nwinudee.
Alphaeus Paul-Worika
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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