Rivers

Environmental Pollution In PH, Obio/Akpor LGs Worries Commissioner

Published

16 years ago

July 17, 2010

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Kingsley Chinda has charged the new executive of Upper Group of Ogbakor lkwerre Worldwide to brace up to the challenges posed by the environmental pollution in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.

Mr Chinda made the call in his office when the new executive of Upper Group led by its Chairman,Mr E.A. Okeah paid him a visit.

Commissioner Chinda appealed to them to demonstrate exemplary leadership in their service to the people and urged them to shun selfish pursuit and initiate projects that would impact positively on the people of the area.

He told the executive members that as grassroots leaders, they should formulate ideas that would enhance sustainable development and ensure a positive legacy for the younger generation to emulate.

Mr Chinda expressed willingness to support the Upper Group executive in the battle against the depleted ecosystem of the local governments, adding that most of the species that were hitherto found in the areas had gone extinct due to pollution and other unsustainable developmental projects.

He added that the executive should treat as priority the cause of protecting the people from the effects of such activities.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Upper Group of Ogbakor lkwerre, Mr Nyebuchi Philip had congratulated the commissioner on what he called the foot print left in the environmental management in the state.

Reflecting on the various achievements of the Commissioner, the secretary said for the first time; the people of the state have witnessed the impact of good environmental management and called for its sustenance. particularly the conscious awareness of the citizenry on environmental issues.

Mr Philip briefed the Commissioner on the various agenda of the exco which included scholarship up to University level for students welfare packages for the elderly and the orphans/ building of a secretariat and provision of a service bus.

The group commended the Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his various achievements and called on the Commissioner to convey their good will message to the Governor.

Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

Published

9 seconds ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.

He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.

Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.

While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.

The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.

According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.

He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.

Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.

He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.

The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.

In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.

The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.

King Onunwor

Rivers

Low Awareness Bothers RIVCHPP … As Agala Calls For Grassroots Sensitisation

Published

15 minutes ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (ES/CEO) of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr. Vetty Agala, has called on residents of the state to amplify awareness of the state’s health insurance scheme to boost enrolment and access to quality healthcare.

Agala, represented by the agency’s Head of Planning, Dr. Juliet Aleme, made the appeal during a sensitisation and enrolment meeting at the palace of the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh, in Oyigbo Town.

He stressed that wider dissemination of information about the scheme would deepen public awareness and encourage more residents to take advantage of the initiative championed by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Agala explained that the programme is designed to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to residents across the state’s 23 local government areas, by eliminating financial hardship at the point of care.

She noted that both federal and state governments have already covered premiums for vulnerable groups, urging residents of Oyigbo and beyond to enrol for seamless healthcare delivery.

Responding, Azuh commended the initiative and assured that his people would embrace the scheme.

He, however, appealed for an expansion of the vulnerability category to accommodate more citizens, while also urging the inclusion of eye care services and surgeries.

Earlier, the Head of Community Medicine at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Chidinma Opara, disclosed that research conducted by 600-level medical students revealed low awareness of the scheme and poor utilisation of primary healthcare centres in Oyigbo.

She said the institution partnered with RIVCHPP to bridge the awareness gap and enhance community access to the programme’s benefits, particularly among vulnerable populations.

As part of the collaboration, officials conducted an assessment visit to the PAMO University Teaching Hospital, with ongoing discussions to onboard the facility as a service provider for RIVCHPP enrollees.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Court Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny

Published

1 hour ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A High Court Sitting in Port Harcourt, presided by Hon. Justice Teetito has outlawed the constitution of caretaker committee or any interim administration in the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State.

Ruling on suit number BHC/101/2016, brought before it by contending parties, the court declared that the Constitution of Grand Bonny Kingdom and regulations on chieftaincy matters,1971, only provide for a substantive chief as the Head of the House as contained in section 2d, 6a and 10 of the constitution of Bonny, and as such the court has no jurisdiction to determine the suit on caretaker committee as it is built on nothing.

Addressing the press in Port Harcourt, Lead Counsel of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Tope Duyilemi, said the position of the law as contained in the judgement is binding on all parties in the suit and cautioned any violations to avoid contempt of court and chaos in the reverred chieftaincy House.

He noted that the composition of the Jumbo Major House and its organs have been previously interpreted and set out in suit no PHC/1098/2006 and suit no PHC/1164/2006 by Hon. Justice Agumagu and Hon. Justice Akpugunum, respectively.

He stated that by the judgement, the emergence of Chief Tamunoala Chapp Jumbo as the Head of the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny through a due process of selection by the house remains valid pending the outcome of a suit on the matter in Okrika High Court.

Dr. Duyilemi commended the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM, King Asimini People, for his royal insight in sustaining traditional norms and values of ancient Bonny Kingdom.