Rivers

Bishop Petitions Defence Minister Over Harassment By Soldiers

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

Presiding Bishop of the City of Angels International Ministry, Port Harcourt, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje, has petitioned the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) over incessant harassment by soldiers led by one Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Nwigbarene Sorbari.
Masodje alleged that Sorbari, attached to 4 Brigade, Benin City, Edo State, had on several occasions led soldiers to harrass him and members of his congregation at the Church, located along Rumuehara Farm Road, off Igwurita-Eneka Road in the Rivers State capital, accusing him of killing his daughter, late Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene.
Masodje, in the petition signed by his lawyer, Elder David Abuo, a copy of which was obtained by The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the Rivers State Police Command had already investigated the allegation against him following a petition by the soldier and cleared him.
Copied in the Bishop’s petition were the Chief of Army Staff; Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division; the Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin City and the Rivers State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
It reads in part: “That on December 25, 2020 at about 3:00pm, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje received a telephone call from one Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene, a member of the Ministry who informed him that she was going to Benin City to spend Christmas with her family there and he prayed with her and wished her journey mercies and angelic protection.
“That on December 27, 2020, Warrant Officer Sorbari Nwigbarene, the father of the said Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene called him to inquire about the said Beauty’s whereabout and the said Bishop informed him of his conversation with Beauty on December 25, 2020, to the effect that she was traveling to Edo State to spend the Christmas with her family on the said December 25, 2020.
“Subsequently, he got to know of an accident that occurred on December 25, 2020, Along East-West Road, between Ndele and Rumuji (Rivers State), which claimed several lives with three survivors and the said Beauty was one of the later fatal victims as she was being rushed to the General Hospital, Ahoada, Rivers State.
“That the said accident was duly reported and investigated by the Police at Rumuji Police Division to the knowledge and occurrence of MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene.
“Inspite of the said information, MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene, lodged a false compliant of the purported abduction of his said daughter, Beauty to the Military Police at Bori Camp on December 28, 2020 and the Bishop was wrongly/illegally arrested and unlawfully/ unconstitutionally detained by the said Military Police from December 28, 2020 till January 6, 2021.
“Even though he, not being culpable was implicit, he was instead of being discharged, transferred to the Civil Police on January 8, 2021. On January 25, 2021, after a detailed/thorough and painstaking investigation into the false allegation, the Bishop was granted bail without any charge.”

By: Ike Wigodo

Rivers

Ohaneze Ndigbo-Group Hails Eze Umuokobo as Asst Treasurer

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Some concerned stakeholders of the various villages Of Umuokobo Kingdom in Oyigbo Local Government Area have thrown their weight behind Eze Nwankwo Nanna Nwankwo who emerged Assistant Treasurer at the recent Ohananeze Ndigbo world congress at Enugu.

A statement signed by Dr. Obenachi Ekeke, Bishop Chikwem Theophilus, Engr. Chimezie Odomene, Chief Friday Nwadukwa, and Chief Odinakachi Uwakwe described as faceless, radio broadcast casting aspertion on the revered monarch of Okobo Kingdom, HRH Nwankwo, and by extension the Umuokobo Clan, over his emergence as executive member of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

They described the group as faceless for casting aspersions over the radio while they are neither indigenes of Okobo Clan, nor Oyigbo Local Governance Area of Rivers State.

According to them, HRH Eze Nwankwo is a direct descendant of the Okobo/ Okweleze Royal family and the Founder of Umuokobo Clan, and was duely selected and coronated Ezeala IX Umuokobo on April 15, 2017 by the last surviving Kingmaker, the late Chief Nwakanma Okere, and other Paramount Rulers of the component villages.

They asserted that Ohaneze Ndi igbo is a socio-cultural organization and not a political party and as such integrity and experiences of HRH Eze (Sir) Nwankwo, was required to pilot the organization to a higher level.

In the words of the group, “Our revered monarch will not resign and will remain on the throne of his forebears till God calls him. There are a good number of traditional rulers who are members of the Exco, and HRH Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo is no exception”.

They, therefore, called on the general public to disregard qhat they tagged “the baseless and hurtful comments” made against HRH, Eze Nwankwo “as that does not in any way affect his status and integrity’.

Urging the public not to be swayed by mischievous individuals, they assured of the ability of the traditional ruler to discharge his royal functions fairly and justly to everyone in the kingdom and beyond.

Warning the sponsors of the faceless group to desist from mischief, the stakeholders harped on the need for peace and development in Umuokobo and Oyigbo in general.

Kevin Nengia

Rivers

Appreciate God, Elder Statesman Urges Nigerians

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

An Elder Statesman and highly respected son of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria, Sir Achebelema-Igah, has urged Nigerians in general to always appreciate God for any good gesture they receive.

He harped on the importance of demonstrating appreciation to God, saying such gratitude will atteact more devine blessings into their lives and families.

Sir Achebelema-Igah made this declaration recently while speaking with newsmen during a Thanksgiving Service organized by his bossom friend, Chief Joseph Orubo, at his country home in Okirika, Rivers State, to show appreciation to God.

According to Chief Achebelema, most Nigerians hardly realize the fact that both their wealth and lives solely depend on God’s grace, hence “there is need to always show appreciation for all that one is and able to achieve, even for life itself”.

According to him, “no one chooses where or when to be born, to be rich, poor, healthy or sickly. Rather, one makes effort and had to rely on grace or providence to see him through.

“That is why we should always acknowledge the giver of lives and wealth (God Almighty), as my friend, Chief Joseph Orubo has done.

“Chief Joseph Orubo, did not just organize the service to show-case his wealth to the public. But he did the Thanksgiving service with the little he has, to simply appreciate God”.

Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Chief Orubo, said acknowledged that God has been very nice to his family, especially last year, 2024, so he decided to appreciate God in form of Thanks-giving service.

The occasion attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, especially, members of Okirika Council of Chiefs, the academia, government officials, friends and well wishers.

Rivers

Dep Gov Hails LG Boss Over Development … Says ONELGA’ll Always Stand With Fubara

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has commended the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, for his developmental strides within his First 100 days in Office.

Prof. Odu gave this commendation recently during the ONELGA Empowerment Programme to celebrate the Chairman’s First 100 days in Office at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Omoku.

She noted that Governance is about touching the lives of the people who ordinarily would not have been remembered, saying that the dream of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is to ensure that Rivers People get a new lease on life.

According to her, the presence of prominent dignitaries at the event demonstrates the fact that the Chairman is doing well and following the footsteps of the Governor.

“I want to appreciate the Chairman, who is doing like his father. I want to thank Umejuru and tell him that he has not disappointed us in any way.

“Your achievement is huge, what you owe the Governor is prayer and loyalty because he does what he says. So, now is the time for double empowerment”, she said.

Prof Odu said the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area would continue to stand with the dreams and aspirations of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Edison Ehie, praised the Administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for its commitment to the Orashi people, stating that they have never had this good in Governance.

He highlighted the Governor’s continuous recognition of the region through key appointments and the execution of critical infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, and hospitals.

Dr. Ehie contrasted the current Administration’s efforts with the immediate past Government, which, he said, offered little benefit to the Orashi people despite their significant contributions to its success.

According to him, “Orashi people took all the risks. We were at the forefront to ensure Wike became Governor and succeeded, but benefited nothing. But under Governor Fubara’s Administration, what they promised and could not fulfill, is now a reality”.

He further noted that several key projects, including the near-completion of Omoku Zonal Hospital, Ahoada-Omoku Road, the completed Omoku-Egbema Road, and the ongoing Elele-Ikiri-Omoku Road, demonstrate the Governor’s commitment to the region.

“Who then is your true brother, if not Governor Fubara, who has initiated all these?”, he asked.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, described ONELGA as a peaceful and welcoming LGA, attributing this to Governor Fubara’s leadership style, while assuring the Governor of their continuous support.

Hon. Umejuru also outlined some of his Administration’s achievements within its first 100 days in office, including the completion of several markets, renovation of healthcare facilities, distribution of cars and tricycles, and financial support for small and medium enterprises.

The delegation had earlier visited the Palace of HRM, Eze Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, Barr. Nwachukwu Nnam Obi lll.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso