Rivers

Group Flags Off Empowerment Scheme For Widows, Orphans

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Michael Abraham

A group, United Friends of Okrika,has kickstarted an empowerment scheme for widows and orphans in all nooks and crannies of Okrika.
“Speaking on the inaugural occasion, held at Adedeme-Biri in Okrika Local Government Area, recently, the President of the group,Mr. Tamunonengiyeofori David, highlighted the purpose of the organisation: to raise youths that are self-reliant and able to provide a helping hand to those in need.
David said, he and his friends could not afford to see the orphans and widows in society and walk pass without assisting them, adding that, that has been the basis of this intervention. He called on well-wishers, who are like-minded to support the group.
He went further to say, that the Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) business about to be started for them would be monitored in order to see how effective and committed they are in terms of growing the business.
He also stated, how the orphans would be assisted in their education also, and that every year educational funds shall be raised for them, because some of them are more than two in a family who have been left behind, after our to door to door survey was carried out and to sustain the business for their survival, we have to take care of the educational part of it.
A word of charge was given to them by Pst. Michael T. Abraham, in “Six Leadership Skills of an Eagle”, that they should remain firm and united as their name imples.
“Avoid character assassination and rancour, but focus on what the Lord has assigned you to do,” the man of God added.
“Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Onengiye Leonard, spoke extensively on the issue, saying it is rare for friends to decide on how to help the needy in society, especially in their local environment.
He said, on receiving his invite and seeing what was written in it, he decided to partner with the organisation in such a programme and made a donation to back what he said.
The father of the day, former Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon. George Otta, said it was very encouraging that young ones were helping the needy and charged them to remain united, focused, and determined to do more even in the face of future challenges.
He assured the organisation that he would be part of the scheme and ensure that international bodies partnered with them and made donations as he said.

Rivers

JONAPWD Elections: Commissioner Inaugurates 5-Man Committee

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, has inaugurated a 5-man electoral committee to oversee the forth-coming elections of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the State (JONAPWD).

Members of the committee were carefully selected from five clusters, representing various categories of persons with disabilities, including visually and hearing impaired, spinal cord injury, physically challenged, and persons with albinism, to ensure that the electoral process is inclusive.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in his office in Port-Harcourt, Mr. Arugu emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process and charged the committee members to “conduct the election with integrity, impartiality, and the fear of God”.

The Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner also tasked the committee with developing a comprehensive plan for the election within two weeks and to report any challenges they encounter within the same timeframe to ensure prompt solutions to facilitate a seamless election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Nwankwo Ndubuisi, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner on behalf of his colleagues for entrusting them with the mandate and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

“I’d like to thank the Commissioner for this opportunity, and I assure him that we’ll work diligently to ensure a successful election”, the Chairman said.

Mr. Ndubuisi also thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation, saying, “We’re dedicated to making this election a reality, and we’ll work together to achieve our goal”.

This inauguration marks a crucial milestone in addressing the leadership vacuum created by the expiration of Mr. Kie Obomanu’s tenure as Chairman of JONAPWD.

A statement by the Head of Press, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Martha Igbiks, said, “the Ministry’s initiative is a welcome development which demonstrates its commitment to promoting inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance, ensuring that persons with disabilities have a voice and are actively involved in the decision-making process”.

Rivers

Orazi Gas Explosion: 3 Confirmed Dead

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Three persons have been confirmed dead in the Orazi Gas explosion in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, which occurred last weekend.

Recall that the Rivers State Government confirmed that 16 persons were initially admitted into the hospital as a result of the explosion.

According to information, the dead, which include a father and two of his daughters, were among those receiving treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, saying the 16 survivors from the incident were carried immediately to the RSUTH.

She also confirmed that some of them were in critical conditions when they were taken there.

“In fact, we are currently managing 16 patients that arose from the explosion at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

“They have various degrees of burns and thankfully we have a highly specialized unit that is providing expert attention and care to the patients”, she said.

Dr. Oreh said the explosion took place in a residential area without proper guidelines.

“The gas explosion took place in a residential area without adherent to guidelines on how gas cylinders that are commercialized should be operated.

“This is definitely beyond the ministry of health and that emphasizes the fact of what we call social determinants of health and so we work very closely with other ministries”she said.

She also said the Rivers State Government, through the various ministries, is carrying out activities with the view to streamlining the activities of such service providers so that clear guidelines are communicated to them to ensure that the lives of and property of the people of Rivers state is protected.

John Bibor

Rivers

Commissioner Commends Gov Over Support For Ministry

Published

21 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Isreal Lebura Ngbuelo, has commended the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, over the practical steps taken and support given to the ministry during the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

Hon Ngbuelo made the commendation during the Ministry’s Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the State’s achievement as the over all best State at the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024, held at the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Passover Parish in Port Harcourt.

He expressed gratitude to God for the support given to the ministry by the State Governor, noting that it contributed to the success of the Ministry at the Carnival.

“We are here to thank God for success He accorded us at the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

“We left Rivers State with over 700 contingent and emerged as the over all best winner for the Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

” We are here also to thank God for the staff of the Ministry and the peace in the Ministry, which increased us as a people and we can attest to it that by the grace of God we have a Governor that has passion for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“That we came back without any injury is a thing of joy”, Hon Ngbuelo stated.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barr. Tomonialadieokuma Ishmael, said the Ministry organized the Thanksgiving Service to express gratitude to God for successful outing at the Abuja International Carnival.

He said the success of the Ministry at the event was another landmark for the state, adding that it was not the first time the ministry has been the over all best in the tournament, noting that “the peace in the State has been showcased to the entire world, not just Nigeria, that Rivers State is rich in culture and Tourism.

“We went to Abuja and emerged champions, so we are happy for State and for the ministry”, Barr Ishmael said.

Kiadum Edookor