Rivers
Community Suspends Five ESPAC Members Over Misconduct
The Ochimba of Elele Town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Innocent Anaemeje, has suspended five members of the Etche Security Planning Advisory Committee (ESPAC) in the community.
The suspension follows series of gross misconduct alleged by the community against them.
Those suspended are Darlington Nwanodi Nwaechefom; Nnodim Ordu; Kenneth Onyemuche; Nwauwa, Sam Ade Isaiah; and Chinedu Godspower.
Eze Anaemeje also announced the appointment of one Okachukwu Amadi as the Chief Security Officer of the community.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide in the community, the Ochimba said the suspension of the ESPAC members was a result of gross misconduct, adding that the community might forgive them if they are ready to show remorse and turn a new leaf.
He said the community will also give them a template to operate on.
“They are hereby suspended till further notice. Other members of ESPAC that have not soiled their hands in the misconduct are hereby retained to perform their duties without fear or favour.
“They also have the support of the community, the support of the Ochimba in Council to carry out their legitimate assignment”, he said.
Eze Anaemeje further said the security apparatus of the community will also be reorganized to include members of the Hunters Association of Nigeria, Elele Branch.
It would be recalled that the suspended ESPAC members, last Friday, dragged the Ochimba to the Community market place with a view to getting members of the community pass a vote of no confidence on Eze Anaemeje.
After listening to both parties, the Council exonerated Eze Anaemeje from any wrong doing and imposed heavy fines on the ESPAC members.
The community also warned them against indulging in land grabbing and other illegal activities in the community, adding that it was bad on their part to have dragge the Ochimba to the market place, describing it as an embarrassment not only to the Ochimba, but the entire community.
Meanwhile, the people of Elele Community have pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to the Ochimba of the community, Eze Anaemeje.
Speaking on behalf of the community, a member of the Elele Council of Chiefs, Chief Innocent Ozoemene Amadi, said the community is happy with the rulership of the Ochimba.
He said those planning a vote of no confidence on Eze Anaemeje are enemies of the community, adding that they are being sponsored to cause crisis in the community.
He also urged them to retrace their steps in the interest of the peace of the community.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Chief Security Officer of Elele Community, Mr Okachukwu Amadi, said he would work to ensure peace in the community.
He called for the support of all members of the community.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
RSU Admits 11,083 Students For 2024/2025 Academic Session
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
Rivers
Fubara’s Kinsman Denounce The Suspension Of Democratically Elected Officials

The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.