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Court Resolves 13-Year Obumise Land Dispute

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2 years ago

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The Omoku Division of the Rivers State High Court has resolved a 13-year-old dispute over the ownership of Obumise land at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The case filed in 2008 in Suit No.OHC/45/2008 was between Kingsley Nnagu, representing both himself and the Olisha family, Umusota Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, and Victor Igwelatu, Ofioma Ufeh, as first set of respondents as well as Morris Chukwukere, representing both himself and Umu-Nkweke and Umu- Anyagshim families in Okwuzi, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, as second set of respondent.
In a ruling, the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Sobere Biambo, ordered the partitioning of the land into two for the existing two family units being Amadinwoka and Nkweke family units since the Onwukama family is extinguished for having no male successor or offspring in his life time.
“That the Obumise land situate and lying at Okwuzi is hereby partitioned into two for the existing two family units being the Amadinwoka and Nkweke family units since the Onwukama family is extinguished for having no male successor or offspring in his life time”.
The court also directed the fourth defendant to pay all monies, royalties/compensation/benefits acruable and due to the Amadinwoka and Nkweke family units equal portions to them.
“That an order is hereby made directing the 4th defendant henceforth to pay all monies, royalties/compensation/benefits acruable and due to the Amadinwoka and Nkweke family units equal portions to them”.
The court further said, “upon partition of the land in dispute into two, owners of each part shall resolve among themselves all alienations made outside the two land owning family units of Amadinwoka and Nkweke.
“That the claim for damages against the 4th defendant arising from connivance, collusion and deliberate exclusion is not proved and is hereby dismissed”.
It further said there shall be no order as to cost.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Solomon Kelechi Nwaribe, said he was happy with the judgment.
He said the judgment has brought peace among the contending families, adding that the judgment has been executed since it appears that nobody is appealing it.

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Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
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Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him,  he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to  an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)  for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict  compliance to the charge of the  Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is  for people  at the grassroots to also enjoy  dividends of  governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

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2 weeks ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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