Opinion

Wike: Steady Start Of Second Missionary Journey

Published

7 years ago

July 3, 2019

As His Excellency, Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has since commenced his second missionary journey in another term of four years as governor of Rivers State, his course remains accentuated by a complement of great expectations.
These expectations are built on a cocktail of factors ranging from his pre-gubernatorial days, to the legacies he will hopefully leave behind at the end of his eight year run in office come 2023. Just as the African proverb has it that a chick that will be a cock is noticed soon after hatching, so the promise of positives in Wike as governor of the state, was foreseen early by pundits and his sponsors for the exalted office. And by his performance during the just ended first term, the consensus vindicates him as having delivered on his mandate. His widespread endorsement for a second term as governor and the resultant sweep of the votes during the March 9th 2019 polls, only served as a confirmation of his household appeal, across the length and breadth of the Rivers State.
As facts bear out, his first term was prompted less by a burning personal ambition to rule the Rivers State and more as a response to a clarion call to serve – to deliver the state from an impending disaster of tipping over a slippery precipice, courtesy of the hegemonic predilection of his predecessor in office – Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. It is not easy for many Rivers people to forget that in the last days of Amaechi in office as Governor of Rivers State, he virtually rode rough shod over the critical institutions of the state like an incubus which denied its victims any iota of self-expression. Not a few Rivers people also still recall his boast on prime time television sometime in 2014 that of all Nigerian leaders he Amaechi was the only one that “was prepared to lead”. And apparently deluded by such self-adulation, he went on to run the Rivers State as a conquered territory, with his word as law.
Among the outrages that clouded due processes of governance in the state during those dark days of Amaechi, were the placement of the Rivers State judiciary in suspended animation, inducement of chaos in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the denigration of several iconic institutions as well as personages in the state. In the rating of not a few Rivers leaders of thought, the height of Amaechi’s indiscretion was when he rerouted the political direction of the Rivers State as a minority entity in the country’s political landscape, out of its historical predilection of always maintaining accommodation with the centre-point of power. All through the run of contemporary politics in Nigeria, right from the halcyon days of partisan politics and political parties like National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), the Action Group (AG), the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), and others, to just before Amaechi’s political mis-judgement, minority communities and states across the country, including the good people of Rivers State, had always survived the harsh ‘winner takes all’ calculus of Nigerian politics, by aligning strategically with whoever wins power at the centre.
However, for reasons that border on crass indiscipline, rabid megalomania and misguided self aggrandisement, Amaechi was in 2014 to fall out with the leadership of the ruling party at the centre, and which was the very Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which even midwifed his own political ascendancy. Besides, the President at that time was even a South-South citizen – Dr Goodluck Jonathan. It is on record how Amaechi, like a bull in a China shop, deployed all the arsenal at his disposal to betray the PDP and align with the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if all that such would earn him was self-serving political relevance.
There was therefore a need to salvage the Rivers State from Amaechi’s grip and his imposed syndrome of arrested development, at the end of his constitutional eight-year gubernatorial tenure in 2015. It was the circumstances around this consideration that thrust Wike into reckoning as the best-fit factor, to push out his predecessor from office. As events were to prove, Wike was eventually elected the governor of the state that year, but faced all throughout his tenure, the dilemma of a fight-back by forces loyal to and personally led by Amaechi. Their coordinated insidious salvoes against Wike’s administration, and by implication the rest of the Rivers State, remain a story for another day.
Commendably, even with the sundry privations that attended Wike’s first tenure, his administration succeeded largely in pushing through some critical infrastructural and welfare projects which earned him the sobriquet of ‘Mr Projects’ from a most unlikely person – the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, of the ruling rival APC, who could not hide his admiration for the ‘Midas Touch’ of gold which laced all of Wike’s projects.
It is therefore for good measure that Wilke’s second term in office is starting on a mandate given through a popular and unchallenged endorsement by a majority of Rivers people, who voted for him enmasse at the March 9th 2019 polls. Needless to mention that the APC in the Rivers State ended up without fielding even a single candidate for any elective office at both the national and state levels during the recent general polls, including for the governorship – all courtesy of Amaechi’s political, shenanigans.
Wike, on his own part, has demonstrated magnanimity in victory, by extending a hand of fellowship to the severely decimated APC in the Rivers State, along with other political parties in the state, that may be so disposed to fall in line with his administration. The Rivers people are watching how positively or otherwise, the other competing interests in the state will respond to his call, for them to join forces with him and salvage the state from the ravages which were accumulated over a period of more than six years before Wike’s first term tenure, of political, economic and social downturn, in the fortunes of the state.
As for Wike, the new challenge in the second term lies in galvanizing and moving the state towards its next level which he has already laid the foundation for in his first term. Going by his antecedents, he will be guided by the crying needs of the various ethnic nationalities in the state as well as its strategic position in the politics and economy of the country. Rivers State by its geography and endowments remains the unquestionable economic hub of the country – east of the Niger. This confers on Governor Nyesom Wike, the responsibility of lifting the fortunes of the Rivers State directly, and facilitating indirectly, same dispensation for those of the proximate territories, in order to promote the much needed regional integration of the Niger Delta zone, and in a wider context, the development of the country.
The foregoing is the mission which posterity is beckoning on him to execute in his second term, and in respect of which Rivers people – both at home and in diaspora-pray fervently for him to succeed.
Congratulations, Your Excellency.

Monima Daminabo

Opinion

Beyond Physical Intimacy In Relationship

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Love is not sustained by sharing the same bed or displaying affection in public; it is preserved by the daily investment of trust, understanding, empathy, and meaningful conversations. Two people can be physically close yet emotionally distant, because lasting relationships are built not merely on intimacy, but on the consistent nurturing of hearts that remain genuinely connected.”

In an age where relationships are often measured by appearances, social media posts, and outward displays of affection, many couples are discovering a painful truth: physical closeness does not always translate into emotional connection. Two people can share the same bed, hold hands in public, and even maintain a seemingly happy home, yet remain strangers to each other’s deepest thoughts, fears, dreams, and struggles. This reality is captured in the thought-provoking message that emotional intimacy goes far beyond physical intimacy. While physical attraction may ignite a relationship, emotional connection is what sustains it. When emotional bonds weaken, relationships begin to suffer quietly, often long before any visible signs of trouble emerge.

One of the greatest misconceptions about love is the belief that affection alone is enough to keep a relationship healthy. In reality, genuine love requires much more than romantic gestures and physical presence. It requires understanding, communication, trust, empathy, and the willingness to be vulnerable with one another. Without these elements, couples may coexist rather than truly connect. Many relationships today are experiencing a silent crisis. Couples are spending more time together physically but less time engaging meaningfully. Busy schedules, work pressures, financial challenges, digital distractions, and personal ambitions have reduced many conversations to routine exchanges about bills, children, responsibilities, and daily survival. The deeper conversations that nurture emotional intimacy are gradually disappearing.

As a result, many partners feel unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. They may be present in the relationship physically, but emotionally they feel isolated. This emotional distance often creates frustration, resentment, and loneliness. Ironically, a person can feel more alone in a relationship lacking emotional connection than when they are physically alone. The danger of emotional disconnection is that it rarely announces itself loudly. Unlike dramatic conflicts or public scandals, it develops gradually. It starts when couples stop sharing their feelings openly. It grows when assumptions replace communication. It deepens when one partner feels consistently ignored, dismissed, or taken for granted. Over time, the relationship loses its warmth and vitality.This explains why some marriages and relationships that appear perfect from the outside eventually collapse unexpectedly.

Observers are often shocked because they only saw the physical togetherness, not the emotional distance that had been growing for years beneath the surface. Relationships do not usually break down overnight; they deteriorate through the accumulation of unresolved emotional gaps. Building emotional intimacy, therefore, requires deliberate effort. It is not a one-time achievement but a daily commitment. Emotional connection is built through consistent acts of attention, kindness, and understanding. It develops when partners genuinely listen to each other without judgment. It grows when people feel safe enough to express their fears, disappointments, and aspirations without fear of criticism or rejection. Trust plays a crucial role in this process. Emotional intimacy flourishes in an environment where honesty is valued and confidentiality is respected. When trust is broken, emotional walls quickly rise.

Rebuilding those walls requires patience, sincerity, and a willingness to heal together. Another important ingredient is empathy. Every individual wants to feel understood. Sometimes partners do not necessarily need solutions to their problems; they simply need someone who listens and acknowledges their feelings. A relationship becomes stronger when both individuals strive to understand each other’s perspectives rather than merely defend their own positions. Quality time is equally important. In a world dominated by smartphones and endless digital distractions, couples must intentionally create moments of genuine interaction. Simple activities such as sharing a meal, taking a walk, discussing personal goals, or praying together can strengthen emotional bonds significantly.

These moments communicate an important message: “You matter to me.” Respect also forms the foundation of emotional closeness. Partners who consistently speak respectfully to each other, even during disagreements, create a healthier environment for intimacy to thrive. Emotional connection cannot flourish where there is constant criticism, ridicule, or contempt. Perhaps the most important lesson is that emotional intimacy is not built by grand gestures alone. It is cultivated through small, consistent actions repeated over time. A thoughtful conversation, a sincere apology, a word of encouragement, or a genuine expression of appreciation can have a profound impact on the health of a relationship. Ultimately, the strength of any relationship lies not merely in physical proximity but in emotional accessibility. The question is not whether two people occupy the same space, but whether they truly know and understand each other.

Lasting love is sustained when hearts remain connected even amid life’s challenges. As society continues to grapple with increasing relationship difficulties, couples must remember that emotional intimacy is not optional; it is essential. Physical attraction may bring people together, but emotional connection keeps them together. It is built daily through communication, trust, empathy, respect, and intentional effort. When emotional intimacy is nurtured, relationships become more resilient, fulfilling, and meaningful. And when two hearts remain genuinely connected, love does not merely survive—it flourishes

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Yahoo Culture And Nigeria’s Moral Fabric

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

The Tide

Quote “A society that celebrates wealth without questioning its source gradually breeds a generation that despises hard work, glorifies fraud, and ultimately destroys itself from within.”

Nigeria’s battle against insecurity is not limited to terrorism. Another destructive force—popularly known as “Yahoo”—has steadily eaten into the nation’s moral and social fabric. Internet fraud, which has become synonymous with “Yahoo” in local parlance, poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s image, economy, and future. The activities of internet fraudsters have tarnished the country’s reputation globally. As a result, many law-abiding Nigerians abroad or seeking legitimate opportunities overseas often face suspicion and discrimination because of the notoriety created by these criminal elements. Originally, Yahoo was merely the name of an internet search engine created in 1994 by Stanford graduates Jerry Yang and David Filo. In Nigeria, however, the term has evolved into a culture driven by greed and materialism. It has become a disturbing subculture with its own language and values.

Expressions such as “mugu fall, guy man chop” celebrate the exploitation of unsuspecting victims, portraying fraud as intelligence and deceit as success. Yahoo boys are notorious for flaunting their ill-gotten wealth. They parade expensive cars, spend lavishly, and often display arrogance towards elders and society. Their extravagant lifestyle has even been blamed for rising rents and increased cost of living in cities such as Port Harcourt. Following crackdowns in Delta and Edo states, there have been concerns over the growing presence of these elements in Rivers State. What is particularly disturbing is that many of these young men and women, some as young as teenagers, have no legitimate source of income yet live in luxury. Their actions have ruined businesses, impoverished victims, and in some cases pushed people into depression, heart attacks, and suicide.

Yet, they continue to operate openly with frightening confidence. The prevalence of Yahoo culture reflects the deep moral decay in society. Sadly, some families not only tolerate the illicit activities of their children but celebrate and pray for their success. Anyone who condemns the practice often becomes the target of abuse and ridicule. A Port Harcourt-based pastor once experienced fierce backlash from Yahoo sympathisers after speaking against the menace. Nigeria’s permissive environment has unintentionally allowed the practice to flourish. Weak institutions, compromised law enforcement, and families unwilling to question the source of sudden wealth among unemployed youths have all contributed to the problem. The virtues of patience, diligence, and integrity are steadily being replaced by greed and a desperate desire for quick riches.

Perhaps one of the greatest casualties of Yahoo culture is education. The value of years of hard work and academic excellence has been diminished. Many young people now dismiss formal education as a scam, while apprenticeship and vocational training are increasingly looked down upon. The obsession with easy money has encouraged school dropout rates and undermined the culture of honest enterprise. An even more disturbing dimension is the emergence of what many describe as “Yahoo Phase II”—a phenomenon associated with ritual practices and occult beliefs. Although stories surrounding these practices are often difficult to verify, reports of ritual killings, organ harvesting, and other horrific crimes have heightened public fears. Young people seeking wealth at all costs are said to subject themselves to bizarre and inhumane instructions from self-styled spiritualists, resulting in unimaginable tragedies.

Regardless of the myths and realities surrounding these claims, one fact remains undeniable: the pursuit of wealth without values has devastating consequences. Society is increasingly witnessing cases of substance abuse, mental instability, and mysterious deaths among youths whose lives are built on criminality and desperation. Nigeria cannot afford to remain indifferent while a generation is consumed by greed and moral bankruptcy. Combating Yahoo culture requires more than arrests and prosecutions. Families must instill values of honesty and hard work. Religious leaders, educators, and community leaders must consistently promote integrity. Government institutions must strengthen the rule of law and ensure that crime does not pay. Above all, society must stop celebrating wealth without questioning its source. No nation can attain sustainable development when fraud is admired, hard work is ridiculed, and criminality is rewarded.

The future of Nigeria depends on raising a generation that values character above riches and integrity above material possessions. If this dangerous culture is left unchecked, the consequences will be severe. But if the nation collectively chooses the path of morality, accountability, and industry, there remains hope that the tide can be reversed and the country’s dignity restored.

By; Confidence Adoo

Opinion

Good Health Through Socrates’ Prescription

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “In an age of advanced medicine and endless health information, the greatest prescription may still be the oldest one: know yourself. True health begins when we understand our bodies, emotions, habits and choices.”

The 21st century has ushered in extraordinary progress in science, technology and medicine. Diseases that once claimed millions of lives can now be prevented or treated. Information is available instantly, while fitness applications, health trackers and modern healthcare facilities have become part of everyday life. Yet, despite these advances, many people continue to struggle with physical illnesses, emotional stress, anxiety, depression and lifestyle-related diseases. This contradiction raises an important question: Why are people becoming increasingly unhealthy in an age of remarkable medical advancement? Part of the answer may lie in the timeless wisdom associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates: “Know thyself.” Though spoken more than two thousand years ago, these words remain profoundly relevant today. They remind us that genuine wellbeing begins with self-understanding.

Knowing oneself goes beyond knowing one’s name, occupation or social status. It involves understanding one’s body, emotions, habits, strengths, weaknesses and aspirations. It means recognizing how daily choices affect physical, mental and emotional health. In many respects, self-knowledge forms the foundation of healthy living. One of the greatest health challenges today is the tendency to ignore warning signs until serious problems emerge. Many people neglect symptoms such as persistent fatigue, poor sleep, chronic stress, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. Because they are disconnected from their bodies, they fail to recognize that their health is gradually deteriorating. A person who truly knows himself pays attention to these signals. Such an individual understands which foods nourish the body and which habits undermine health. They recognize when rest is necessary,

when stress levels become dangerous and when professional medical attention should be sought. Self-awareness encourages preventive action long before illness develops. The same principle applies to mental and emotional health. Modern life is filled with pressures. Social media often encourages unhealthy comparisons, while economic challenges, family responsibilities and workplace demands create enormous psychological burdens. Many people suffer silently because they have not learned to understand or manage their emotions. Knowing oneself means recognizing emotional triggers, vulnerabilities and sources of stress. It involves identifying feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger or frustration before they become overwhelming. Self-aware individuals are more likely to seek support, adopt healthy coping mechanisms and maintain emotional balance.

Self-knowledge also promotes discipline. Many of today’s health problems are linked to lifestyle choices. Excessive consumption of processed foods, alcohol abuse, smoking, substance misuse, physical inactivity and poor sleeping habits contribute significantly to disease burdens around the world. Most people are aware of these risks. The challenge is often not a lack of information but a lack of self-understanding. Individuals who understand their motivations, weaknesses and tendencies are better equipped to resist harmful habits and develop healthier routines. In this way, self-knowledge becomes a powerful tool for self-control. Socrates also taught that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” While philosophical in origin, this statement has practical implications for health. Examining one’s life encourages honest reflection. Are we eating wisely? Are we exercising enough?

Are we sleeping adequately? Are we managing stress effectively? Are we maintaining healthy relationships? These are not merely philosophical questions. They are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Honest answers can reveal habits that require improvement and inspire positive change. Ironically, while technology has made health information more accessible, it has also made self-understanding more difficult. Many people spend hours following social media trends and public personalities while paying little attention to their own health. They know more about celebrities than they know about their blood pressure, sleep quality or emotional wellbeing. A healthier society will require more than modern hospitals and advanced medications. It will require citizens who actively seek to understand themselves. Preventive healthcare begins with personal awareness.

Parents, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals and policymakers all have important roles to play in promoting self-awareness. Young people should be taught not only academic subjects but also emotional intelligence, self-reflection, healthy lifestyle habits and personal responsibility. Ultimately, Socrates’ ancient wisdom remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago. A person who understands himself is more likely to make healthy decisions, maintain emotional stability, build resilience and seek help when necessary. The journey to good health does not begin in a hospital, pharmacy or gymnasium. It begins within. As the world continues to confront complex health challenges, perhaps the most powerful prescription requires no expensive technology or medication. It is the enduring wisdom that has stood the test of time: know yourself. In understanding ourselves, we discover one of the surest paths to healthier, happier and more meaningful lives.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi