Rivers
Kirike Chiefs Endorse Ogube’s Leadership … As Chairman Sues For Unity
The Kirike Divisional Council of Chiefs in Okrika Local Government Area has expressed confidence in their king, HRH, King, Air Com.T.O Ogube (rdt) over the tagged his tremendous achievements since assuming the throne.
Speaking with newsmen during the annual banquet for the chiefs of Kirike Division, the Chairman, Alabo Prof. Sotonye Ogan, said King Ogube deserves commendation for engendering peace in the kingdom since ascending the throne.
The banquet, which held last weekend at Abam in Okrika, was home coming for the reverred chiefs hosted by King Ogube.
Prof Ogan sued for peace and unity among the people, stressing that no meaningful development takes place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
He urged the youths to tow the line of peace by following the foot steps of their fore fathers as a panacea for the advancement of the kingdom.
The Kirike Council of Chiefs Chairman further encouraged the youths to promote their culture, saying that no society grows without culture bequeathed by their fore bears.
According to him, “the end of the year banquet is geared towards counting our loses and gains as custodian of the people. It affords us great opportunity to discuss issues of great importance of the kingdom as well moving it forward.
“It’s an occasion every chief looks forward to, to make merry above all annual home coming where the chiefs dance and eat to the glory of God.
“We also engage on health talk to promote their health status. We commend our King, having volunteered to make it an annual event.
“Our revered king uses the banquet to thank his chiefs for supporting and assisting him in the kingdom”, he said.
Prof. Ogan explained further that peace is key to re-engineering peaceful Co- existence among the communities, saying “living together, which attracts development, can’t be compromised under King Ogube, no matter the provocation by some few elements as their king had been manager of violence.
He pledged total support of the chiefs as long as the King reigns on the throne, urging the Judas among them to refrain and join hands with King Ogube to move Kirike forward.
On allegations made by one sacked Chief Tam George to disrupt the event, Prof. Ogan said the people are with the king.
In his swift reaction, Chief Tam George denied sponsoring the said attack, saying as at the time of the attack he was in Port Harcourt court, urging them to respect the directive of the State Government through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Development.
Kevin Nengia
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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.
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
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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