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PH Security Operatives And Street Carnivals
The New Webster’s Dictionary Of English Language, International Edition, defines Carnival as any public festivity usually with processions, dancing and side shows.
If this definition is anything to go by, it is therefore, not surprising to see that governments all over the world, corporate organisations and individuals make huge budgetary allocation to develop and promote the social, religious, intellectual and artistic potentials of the citizenry through various forms of carnivals particularly, culture.
A typical example of such fiesta in Nigeria was the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture tagged “FESTAC 77” under the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo when different cultural troupes and Artistes show-cased the rich cultural heritage and intellectual potentials of the country.
Since then, the Carnival landscape of the country has witnessed one form of festival or the other as the federal, states and local governments organised annual cultural festivals to develop and harness the rich talents of our youths as well as tourism potentials of the country.
Here in Rivers State, the present administration under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has done enough to provide platform and opportunities for the indigenes and residents of the state to develop their God-given potentials in all human endeavours.
To be precise, Rivers State government sponsored over 1,000 participants who represented 30 different groups and officials in the just-concluded Abuja cultural fiesta, the largest contingent of the festival.
Again, the government has also kick-started the on-going cultural Carnival tagged “CARNIRIV 2009” to further demonstrate its commitment towards promoting and developing social, intellectual, artistic and tourism potentials of the state.
According to the programme of events, this year’s CARNIRIV has been expanded to one week in order to accommodate more than 500 different cultural troupes from various parts of the state at the Elekahia CARNIRIV Village, Port Harcourt.
It is against this backdrop that one is skeptical about the sudden emergence of youth Carnivals in the street of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital in recent times.
Although, one is not against the development of youths talents and potentials through street Carnivals but it is imperative to point out the security implications of such youths gatherings in the Niger Delta region particularly Rivers State, since the experience of cult clashes is an open wound in the state.
Infact, feelers from some of the street carnivals indicate that if nothing is done to nip them in the bud, the state may be in for another round of cult war or at best, street clashes in Port Harcourt.
For example, the police in mile three area of Port Harcourt metropolis was said to have averted what would have been an ugly clash at Ojiegbu Street in Diobu area when the residents of the street resisted an attempt by the organisers of the street carnival to extort money from them for the street carnival.
Similarly, last Tuesday, there was a pandemonium at Obidianso Street also in Diobu area of Port Harcourt when some residents of the street resisted an attempt to impose a levy of N2,000 each on the premises by the organisers of the Street Carnival billed to commence next week.
From the fore going, it is obvious that Rivers State government and indeed, security operatives in the state should act decisively now before the Port Harcourt Street Carnivals metamorphose into cult groups.
Nwankwo is the editor’s guest.
Isaac Nwankwo
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.