Rivers
LG Boss Tasks Traditional Rulers On Security
The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Chief Erastus Awortu, has told traditional rulers in the area to ensure sustenance of peace and security in their respective domains.
Awortu made the call, Monday, during the quaterly meeting of the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council with him at the council headquarters, Ngo Town.
Speaking shortly after he declared the meeting open, the Chairman lamented that the crisis and hatred experienced among the leadership and various communities in the area were often orchestrated by some merchants of division and conflict in the area.
Awortu expressed the need for the support of royal fathers, chiefs and stakeholders in tackling certain issues to maintain the existing peace and harmony installed by his administration.
He urged them to use thier traditional positions to bring unity and peace among the various communities in their domains.
“Yours is a call as royal fathers and traditional rulers to serve the people through quality leadership and selfless sacrifice.
“As traditional rulers, you are fathers to all in your domains. You are the custodians of the values, customs, and traditions of the people.
“We urge you to use your position as royal fathers to unite all the people and promote peace and harmony in your various Kingdoms.
“Our local government needs everyone in formal and informal positions of leadership to speak up for, and to uphold a common humanity.
“Too many merchants of hate and division menace our land, they seek to have their bread buttered by the suffering and destruction that violence brings.
“They promote a persistent victim mentality, pushing a narrative that relegates and diminishes people and inclines them to base conduct.
“They package ordinary people into the mistaken and dangerous belief that the dice is always loaded against them because of politics and chieftaincy wrangling, thereby fuelling a baseless sense of rage and hate.
“When and wherever violence wreaks havoc on life, they see opportunity to feather their nests, rather than embrace their responsibility to work to ensure everyone’s right to life, movement and residence is respected.
“These merchants of division do all these for their personal relevance and bank accounts. Most of them live safely away from the theaters of the violence they induce.
“Many have homes in the safest parts of Port Harcourt, Abuja and cities abroad. Their children and youth are tucked safely away in private schools within Nigeria and abroad, with the proceeds from the relevance that violence and hatred earn for them”, he said.
The chairman explained that his administration was desperately into bringing the incessant attacks and killings that have claimed so many lives and properties in various communities in the area to an end.
He disclosed that the local government council is able to achieve on some developmental gestures because of the relative peace, adding that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.
He urged the traditional rulers to give support to the government in restoring the lost glory of the LGA, and consolidating on the ongoing initiative to bring development among the people.
“This government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to security and peace building not only in Andoni, but in every parts of the neighbourhood LGAs, we explored various avenues for peace and we got it.
“We don’t want anyone in the name of chieftaincy wrangling or community crisis to drag our dear LGA back to the era of doom again.
“There is no doubt that security efforts and intelligence gathering must improve and we will continue to discharge our responsibility to uphold security and uphold the laws of the land.
“But we must all soberly acknowledge that the ultimate guarantee of peace is the willingness of people to live together in harmony and mutual respect”, Awortu said.
In his remarks, the new Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru, promised to synergise with the council chairman to bring sustainable peace and socio-economic development to the area.
He said: “We will adopt more proactive measures to sustain peace and unity in our communities.
“I will embark on sensitization of my people to be law abiding, live in peace and be security conscious and love one another.
“I will gather all the various entities in our area to promote peace. We shall pay special attention to the youths, efforts would be made to provide jobs for the youths”.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Asarama Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers and member of Andoni Area council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Daniel Okikere Ibani, thanked the Council Chairman for the developmental gesture across the LGAs.
Ibani, the partamount Ruler of Iwoma Community in Andoni, also thanked the Council Chairman for his re-inclusion into the Andoni Area Council of Traditional Rulers to represent Asarama Division in the Area.
He promised to promote peace, unity and also join hands with the council Chairman to sustain the existing peace and development in the area.
Ibani warned that his administration as chairman of Asarama Divisional Council traditional rulers will not tolerate any form of gangsterism among the chiefs, youths and the entire people of Asarama Kingdom, saying that the era of compromise and grace had elapsed.
By: Enoch Epelle
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, under the dynamic leadership of Amb. Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, has called on the result-oriented National President, Amb. Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo, to re-contest.
This call stems from the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerian youths, based on his outstanding track record, charismatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth development.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men, yesterday.
Amb. Akpor explained that under the leadership of Amb. Sokubo the NYCN has experienced unprecedented progress in youth empowerment, advocacy, and national unity.
“I want to say that Amb. Sokubo’s ability to maintain harmony, sustainable peace, and foster an inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership structure is a testament to his visionary and tactical approach to leadership.
“The Rivers State Chapter, with other progressive and stakeholders, believes he is best positioned to continue piloting the affairs of the Council towards greater heights”,he said.
The youth council chairman in the State further appeal to Sokubo to answer this noble call to serve once again, for the sake of continuity, growth, and the collective aspirations of Nigerian youths across the country.