Rivers
NDDC Splashes N60m On Rice Farmers To Boost Production
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has provided financial support to 300 rice farmers in the Niger Delta, each receiving starter packs worth N200,000 to enhance rice production.
The Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said this in a statement in Port Harcourt.
The statement was issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
The starter pack was presented to the beneficiaries during the closing ceremony of the second batch for the NDDC-sponsored training programme for rice farmers.
Ogbuku, represented by the NDDC’s Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Winifred Madume, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector in the region.
According to him, the programme aimed to expose farmers with essential skills in modern rice farming techniques, processing, and agribusiness strategies.
“The scheme is designed to enable farmers to enhance rice production, establish cooperatives, and explore further partnerships with relevant agencies and financial institutions,” he stated.
Ogbuku also highlighted the NDDC’s ongoing collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to provide apprenticeship training for farmers in the Niger Delta.
“We remain committed to implementing impactful agricultural empowerment initiatives to enhance food security, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the region,” he added.
On his part, the Deputy Director of Agriculture and Fisheries in NDDC, Mr. Wale Oretan, said 300 farmers from Abia and other states in the region participated in the training.
He explained that the training covered both theoretical and practical aspects of rice production, processing, and entrepreneurship.
“Each participant received a starter pack worth N200,000 along with a certificate of completion,” Oretan stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their businesses and boost rice production across the nine Niger Delta states.
The President of the Abia Rice Farmers Association, Mrs. Uzoma Ochulo, expressed gratitude to NDDC on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Ochulo said the beneficiaries would share their knowledge with other farmers in their communities to increase rice production in the Niger Delta.
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Antenatal care and immunization services recorded high patronage during the just-concluded Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week as residents in various communities across Port Harcourt took advantage of the free healthcare interventions.
The exercise, which was aimed at improving maternal and child well-being, attracted women, caregivers and children to different health facilities where a range of free healthcare services were provided.
Findings from selected health centres visited during the exercise showed encouraging participation by beneficiaries despite a few operational challenges experienced by health workers.
At Ozuboko Health Centre, the doctor in charge, Dr. Flag Amachree, said the facility recorded a good turnout throughout the exercise.
The Tide gathered that the team of immunization officers embarked on outreach immunization activities to schools to ensure that more children benefited from the programme.
She, however, identified inadequate supplies of deworming tablets as a challenge, noting that available stocks were being carefully managed to meet demands.
One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuella Edwin, who visited the facility for antenatal registration, expressed satisfaction with the services provided by the health workers.
She commended the staff for their dedication, professionalism and friendly disposition, adding that the registration process was stress-free and without any major challenge.
Similarly, Mrs. Esther Abbey said she registered for the free medical services offered during the healthcare week and described the process as smooth and simple.
She added that the programme also created an avenue for her daughter to benefit from immunization services through arrangements by her school.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Philomena Ezekiel, said she was unable to access the service for her children after she was informed that a National Identification Number (NIN) was required before the test could be carried out.
At Amadi Health Centre, the Medical Officer in charge, Dr. Ebere Ikonwa, attributed the low turnout recorded at the facility to inadequate community mobilization, noting that no town crier was assigned to create awareness.
Despite the situation, she said the facility carried out outreach immunization services successfully and recorded significant patronage in antenatal care and immunization services.
By: Esuuk-Awaji Oyet, Princess Akinyemi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in advancing national stability, public trust and sustainable development.
The summit, scheduled to hold on June 18 and 19, 2026, will bring together key actors in governance, security and the media sector to deliberate on pathways for improved engagement in addressing contemporary national security concerns.
Themed, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, the gathering is expected to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue on responsible information management and enhanced institutional cooperation.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, who disclosed this in a statement, said the initiative was conceived as a high-level engagement to deepen understanding between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding the country.
She explained that the summit would provide opportunities for critical conversations on crisis communication, information sharing, conflict reporting and strengthening citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
According to the statement, the event will attract senior government officials, heads of security agencies, media executives, editors, civil society groups and other stakeholders drawn from across the country.
According to the organizers, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend as Special Guests of Honour.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will host the summit.
Also expected to chair the occasion is the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The statement noted that the summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges, growing concerns over misinformation and heightened public anxiety over national issues.
It emphasized that structured engagement between the media and security institutions has become imperative in improving crisis communication, reducing panic, combating fake news, and ensuring the dissemination of timely, accurate and responsible information.
Participants at the summit are expected to examine issues such as responsible reporting of security operations and conflict situations, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information and the safety of journalists covering security-related assignments.
Other areas of focus include countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech, as well as building mutual trust and professional respect between journalists and security personnel.
The summit will also feature goodwill messages, panel discussions, breakout sessions, experience-sharing by frontline reporters, and interactive engagements with security chiefs before concluding with the adoption of a communiqué and an action framework to guide future collaboration.
The NUJ restated its commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism and promoting national peace, security and democratic governance.
By: King Onunwor
Rivers
Anaka Community Seeks Development, Unity … Advocates Devine Guidance In 2027 Leadership Selection
The Paramount Ruler of Anaka Community in Akpor Clan, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, HRH. Eze Marcus Oriji, has reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to unity, development, and peaceful coexistence among its people.
HRH Oriji, who spoke through his son, Alloy Marcus, in an interview with newsmen in the community, said the community is committed to peace.
He described Anaka as a community known for peace and unity, noting that the kingdom continues to attract visitors and residents because of its welcoming nature.
According to him, while the leadership of the kingdom has recorded progress in various fronts, several challenges still remain.
Anaka Community, he continued, has faced developmental challenges similar to those confronting many communities across the country.
He identified the provision of key infrastructure, including a modern market, schools, healthcare facilities, and a police station, as critical areas requiring attention to enhance the growth and development of the kingdom.
On concerns raised by residents over the poor condition of the road linking St. John’s to Ogbogoro, Eze Marcus commended the Rivers State Government under the leadership of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara,ii for commencing work on the Ring Road project, which he described as a significant development for the area.
Marcus explained that Anaka Kingdom stands to benefit from the project and appealed to the government to accelerate construction efforts, particularly on sections connecting St. John’s and other adjoining communities, to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility.
Expressing optimism about the project’s completion, he said improved road infrastructure would not only enhance movement within the area, but also attract investors, businesses, and visitors to the kingdom.
Commenting on the 2027 general elections, Eze Alloy Marcus called for divine guidance in the selection of leaders, stressing the need for God-fearing individuals who would govern with integrity and commitment to national development.
He also advised young people to shun electoral violence and resist being used by politicians for unlawful activities such as ballot box snatching and election-related disturbances.
He urged youths to play constructive roles in strengthening democracy by supporting free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The royal representative emphasized that sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and peaceful democratic processes remain essential for the continued progress of Anaka Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole.
By: Azubuike Chiwendu, Akpelu Godspower
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