Connect with us

News

Don Blames Ravaging Floods On Lack Of Planning

Published

on

The Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University and Professor of Energy and Environmental Law, Prof Samuel Dike, has identified lack of planning by government and its agencies for being responsible for the ravaging floods affecting several parts of Nigeria including the Niger Delta region and the Lokoja area of Kogi State, among others.
Dike, who gave this indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the inability of the government at all levels to put preemptive measures in place to avert the ravaging floods after the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Air Space Authority (NASA) had predicted them, is partly responsible for the unimaginable environmental problem affecting the country today.
He regretted that Nigeria is good in embarking on knee-jerk responses after being hit by natural disasters like the current flooding, describing the scenario as the real bane of the country.
Dike, who is the National President of the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN), said the current flooding ravaging parts of the country is a sad commentary and development that would have been prevented if efforts had been made to heed to the timely warning given by NIMET and other agencies to address it.
“It is unfortunate that we wait for problems to occur before we can respond. And this has not helped us”, he said, contending that the government at all levels had not performed well in the area of either mitigating the impact of the flooding or developing adaptive response measures when it had not happened.
Dike also blamed the current floods on climate change which has resulted to a noticeable sea level rise all over the world; a scenario which he said made coastal cities, communities and villages very vulnerable to flooding.
Besides, he noted that the location of the Niger Delta region and the Lokoja area, within the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, accounts for the areas being worst hit by the floods and called on government at levels to begin right away to plan against future occurrences.
Dike said the Federal Government does not have the requisite wherewithal and capacity to handle the current problems created by the floods, and stressed the need for it to invite Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), foreign governments and partners, both home and abroad to come to the aid of the country.
Dike said the current challenge requires all hands to be on deck to be tackled, and for Nigerians to begin to think out of the box.
“We should begin to plan ahead to forestall future occurrences. We should study other coastal nations which have similar terrains and geography like ours, to find out how they handle the problem of flooding. It is not all about attending conferences or signing climate change treaties. It is about implementing decisions reached and working the talk; keeping down zero emissions and not cutting down trees”, he said.
While commending Governor Nyesom Wike for doling out N1billion to cater for the flood victims, the university teacher stressed the need for desilting of all gutters and the Ntawogba Creek in Port Harcourt and building of embankments to protect the Garden City before it is submerged by flood, and commiserated with victims of the current floods. He urged public spirited individuals, corporate organisations and churches to follow Governor Wike’s footsteps.
Dike condemned in strong terms the deplorable condition of the Eleme axis of the East-West Road, which has claimed several lives in recent times, and called on the Federal Government to declare the road an emergency.

By: Donatus Ebi

Continue Reading

News

NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

Published

on

The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

Continue Reading

News

Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

Published

on

The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

Published

on

A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

Continue Reading

Trending