Niger Delta

Rivers, Only State With Culture/Event Centre – Otumba Runsewe

Published

5 years ago

September 27, 2019

Director -General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for constructing the best Cultural Centre to promote culture and tourism.
Speaking during a late night show on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Jigsaw, last Wednesday, Otunba Runsewe stated that the Rex Lawson Cultural Centre is of International Standard and has the capacity to transform the nation’s culture and tourism sector.
According to him, he discovered the beauty of the Rex Lawson Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt during the 2018 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) hosted by the Rivers State Government.
He noted that the quality of that facility is such that key National and international cultural events should be hosted in the Garden City.
The Director-General of NCAC praised the Rivers State Governor, for delivering a cultural centre of that magnitude to Rivers State and Nigeria.
“In the whole of Nigeria today, only one state has a truly cultural event centre (Rex Lawson Cultural Centre). That state is Rivers State. I was there and I was marveled.
“The floor is synthetic. The walls, sound proof. Their walls have microphones that pick sounds and there is a control room for technical coordination.
“This Cultural Centre was the one that the Ooni of Ife commissioned in the state. We had NAFEST last year at the centre. We must remove sentiment from this matter. I was marveled. I had to beg them in Rivers State to give me the contractors profile, so that we take similar thing to every state of the Federation.
“The Cultural Centre in Cross River State is not like that of Rivers State. Oh God of Israel, in Rivers Cultural Centre, you can have eight events at a time. The Rivers Cultural Centre has a VVIP section that you can receive the President of other countries in audience before you come for the show.
“We have a good centre (Rex Lawson Cultural Centre) in Port Harcourt which Governor Wike has put in place” he said. Why can’t we take some national and international events to Port Harcourt.

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Hails RSG Over Asari’s Chieftaincy Recognition

Published

13 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has commended the Rivers State Government for recognizing the stool and Ascension of His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area.

Dokubo was officially proclaimed the Amanyanabo (traditional ruler) of Torusarama Piri (Elem Ama), an ancient Ijaw Kingdom in Rivers State.

This was contained in a statement by National President, MOSIEND, Ambassador Kennedy Tonjo West and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Tonjo West said the ascension officially acknowledged by the Rivers State Government marks a pivotal moment for the Ijaw ethnic group and underscores the enduring importance of traditional institutions in modern governance and cultural identity.

The President said the recognition by the government will lead to unity, cultural safeguarding, and socio-economic development in the region.

“His Royal Highness, Allhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo has been officially proclaimed the Amanyanabo (traditional ruler) of Torusarama PIRI (Elem-Ama), an ancient Ijaw kingdom in Rivers State, Nigeria.

“This ascension, officially acknowledged by the Rivers State Government, marks a pivotal moment for the Ijaw ethnic group and underscores the enduring importance of traditional institutions in modern governance and cultural identity.

“MOSIEND joins in celebrating this feat and considers it a remarkable achievement that will further solidify the craving for development of Ijaw Communities, it’s people and Institutions.

“The yearnings of Ijaw Communities for a better deal in its leadership is a result of their veneration for their traditional structures, and the confidence reposed in Alhaji Asari Dokubo’s benevolence and leadership style will bring the expected development.

“I commend the prompt recognition by the State Government, for it is an example of the synergy we have been advocating for, a case where traditional institutions will be recognized as an important starter for the development of communities and regions”, he said.

According to Dr. West, “a new era dawns for the citizenry of Elem-Ama and the Ijaw Nation as HRH Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo is known for his indomitable belief in the Ijaw course and unwavering advocacy, leadership and fervent devotion to the well-being of his people”.

The MOSIEND leader noted that HRH Asari Dokubo’s leadership will attract modern and fast-paced development to the Kingdom, endear unity, cultural safeguard, and socio-economic development for the nation.

Amb Tonjo West also noted that the community is the center of strong cultural heritage, strategically located in the Niger Delta.

MOSIEND appealed to the international community, cultural organizations, development partners, communities,and the Ijaw population to stand behind Alhaji Asari Dokubo in support of his developmental plan.

Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Yenagoa Becoming Modern City Under Our Stewardship – Diri

Published

13 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration’s urban renewal programme will transform Yenagoa, the state capital, into a modern city.

Senator Diri stated this against the backdrop of the recent relocation of inter-state commercial transporters to the new state-owned transport terminal at Igbogene.

Speaking recently during the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the Governor said centralised motor parks were features of modern cities, which Yenagoa was gradually turning into.

He warned against touting around the vicinity of the terminal, saying that all travellers were expected to go into the terminal for booking and boarding of vehicles.

Diri also stressed that the relocation would curb crime as passengers coming into the state would now be monitored.

“I visited the new terminal and saw its beauty. This is what every modern society does.

“For those who play politics and are still criticising, I am very sorry for them. Bayelsans are however happy with what we have done. It is only those who do not know what a modern society looks like that make derogatory statements about me and the government.

“For the first time in our state, we are seeing what a city is like. We want to actually turn Yenagoa into a modern city. We want to bring Yenagoa to a better place.

“I am happy that the terminal is bubbling. Nobody should act like agbero (tout) in that place. That park is a modern one with everything provided.

“For those who want to come into Bayelsa to commit crime, we have stopped them with the movement to the new terminal”, he said.

Commenting on the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide period, the Bayelsa helmsman commended security agencies for their collaborative efforts that ensured the state was secured throughout the festive season.

He also noted that there was a boost in tourism and entertainment during the period, and particularly commended dancehall music star, Enetimi Odon (popularly called Timaya) for giving back to the state through his annual Timaya Day concert held every 1st January.

He observed that the event attracted a huge crowd of mostly youths and that the show had great tourism potential for the state.

“In the whole of these festivities, what I consider as the final lap was the January 1st Timaya Day that had to do with youths of our state.

“Instructively, there was no incident of crime. I was there. The youths were well behaved and they became security by themselves.

“From what I saw, I believe there is hope for this country and for our state. We all need to do what is right”, the Governor added.

Commenting on an ugly incident at Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area, Diri thanked the leadership of the community for maintaining the peace and for not taking the laws into their hands.

He assured that ongoing investigation would unravel those behind the dastardly murder of a chief in the community.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Diri Leads Deligation’s Visit To Late Commissioner’s Family, Accident Victims

Published

13 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, members of the State Executive Council, and the leadership of the State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently paid a condolence visit to the family of the State’s late Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei.

The Tide learnt that Mrs. Bidei died after a brief illness on December 30, 2024 aged 67.

Governor Diri, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, recalled how Mrs. Bidei and her husband, Jackson Bidei, a former African wrestling champion, retired Director of Sports and Permanent Secretary, were his staunch supporters from the beginning of his political journey.

He described her as an active PDP member, a woman of valour who contributed a lot to the growth and development of the state through the various positions she occupied.

“Mrs. Bidei and her dear husband stood by me from the beginning of my political journey till date. They never wavered for one second. It is so sad that we are here for a condolence visit.

“We cannot query or question God. This brings to fore the fact that every one of us are just mortals and only what we do will speak when we are gone.

“Today, our compatriot, active party woman, a member of our State Executive Council and a woman of valour, who we all thought would continue to contribute to the growth and development of our state, is no more. I never imagined that we would be paying tribute to this woman.

“But in everything, the Bible says we should give thanks to God. On behalf of the government and people of the state, I extend our condolences to the family”, the Governor said.

Diri said the government will take care of the funeral expenses, being a commissioner who died in active service to the state.

Responding, spokesman of the family, Mr. Ebikabowei Otobo, and Mr. Bidei expressed appreciation to the Governor for demonstrating exemplary leadership in personally visiting with members of his cabinet.

The delegation included lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency One, Mr. Bonnie Ayah; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Bayelsa PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Agwana; the Secretary, Gesiye Isowo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe; his deputy, Irorodamie Komonibo; Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segibo; the Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema; and other top government functionaries.

The entourage also visited recuperating victims of last Friday’s fatal accident in Sagbama that claimed the life of the paramount ruler of Ofoni Community, HRH Auditor Onakpohor, at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa