Rivers

Expert Tasks Media Practitioners On Constitutional Roles

Published

4 years ago

September 3, 2021

Reputation management and communications expert, Dr Jossy Nkwocha, has urged journalists across the country to uphold the roles assigned to them in the 1999 Constitution, to engender sustainable peace and unity in the country.
Dr Nkwocha, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), was speaking, Wednesday, at a two-day conference of the Association of Communications Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) holding at the Rivers State University (RSU) in partnership with UNESCO.
Speaking on the “Role of the Mass Media in Accountable Governance and Sustainable Peace in Society”, Dr Nkwocha dwelt extensively on the roles of media practitioners in helping to bring peace to Nigeria.
He said that journalists were the only professionals given a role in chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution to hold government accountable to the people.
It states: “The press, radio television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”
According to Dr Nkwocha, the constitution goes further to mention some of the fundamental objectives that the mass media should uphold.
Dr Nkwocha, who is Group Head of Corporate Communications at Indorama, Eleme Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Ltd, Port Harcourt, recommended that journalists should be courageous enough to draw government attention to the fundamental objectives to reduce agitations of marginalisation and enhance peace in the country.
He also recommended that ACSPN and UNESCO should organise workshops or seminars for journalists on, crisis reporting and peace building reporting skills.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who declared the conference open, spoke on the need for all Nigerians to be part of Government.
President of the Association, and Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof Umaru Pate, said the conference would come up with a communiqué to help build press release.

Rivers

Fubara’s Kinsman Denounce The Suspension Of Democratically Elected Officials

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

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.

Rivers

Rivers Youths Urge Sole Administrator To Convene Summit

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

Youths under the banner of “Rivers Ijaw Youths” have urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, (rtd) to convene a youth summit.

President of the youth body, Chief Maxwell Deinma, in a live radio chat in Port Harcourt said the youth summit is expected to avail the Sole Administrator the needs and aspirations of youths in the state, and also reduce tension.

Deinma lamented that youths in the state have over the years been sidelined in terms of employment and empowerment, hence the the call for the new administrator to use his tenure to correct the narrative.

In addition to that, he stated that a youth summit will also give the administrator area of focus and blueprint on how to empower the huge young population in the state.

He advised the new administrator to avoid engaging in partisan politics by staying neutral and focusing on his assignment of ensuring that peace returns to the state.

“I will urge him to have just three areas of focus: he should ensure that youths, peace, and development should be given attention in the next six months”, he said.

The Rivers Ijaw Youths leader challenged Ijaw elders to discard their selfish interests and pursue the general interest of Ijaw people.

He attributed the political tension in Rivers State to the failure of Ijaw leaders to speak in one voice.

Expressing displeasure over the emphasis on politics, while ignoring other areas of development, Chief Deinma argued that politicians in the State have jettisoned key developmental matters of state concern and are after their personal interests.

“Such attitude over the years”, he noted, “is responsible for the backward development of Rivers State economically”.

To reverse the trend, he stressed the need for government to focus on agriculture, entertainment and other areas of comparative advantage to transform the state.

Kevin Nengia

Rivers

Konya Advises Women Against Early Marriage, Fraud … Charges Kenpoly SUG On Peace

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic (KenPoly), Bori, Rivers State, Prof. Roselyn Konya, has urged women to lead a strong advocacy against early marriages in the society.

Konya, a former Commissioner for Environment in State, also warned women against indulging in fraudulent activities.

This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, Kenpoly, Mr. Ogbonda N. Innocent, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt

Prof Konya stated this when the executive members of Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED) of the Polytechnic paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Bori.

The Chairman noted that one of the roles of the Association is to uplift the status of women in the society.

She charged women to speak out against all manner of evil, including examination malpractices, sorting, drug abuse, and other social vices in the society.

She also called on WITED members to use their positions as wives, mothers and sisters to discourage their husbands, brothers and wards from indulging in act of cultism, and make God first in their daily activities.

She donated the sum of N500,000 to the Association towards the successful hosting of its planned maiden conference.

Earlier, chairperson of WITED, Dr. Mrs Mina Furo Mac-Fubara, had disclosed that the Association was planning to train about 30 indigent girls in various skills and also empower them with starter packs at the end of the training.

Mac-Fubara, who is also the Head of Department (HOD) of Insurance, Kenpoly, congratulated Prof. Konya on her appointment as the first female Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution.

In another development, Prof. Konya has assured the students of the institution to be peaceful in their approach to the challenges that could present themselves while on campus.

She assured the students that their welfare and interest remain the top priority of the Governing Council.

Prof. Konya gave this assurance when the Students Union Government (SUG), Kenpoly, led by its President, Comrade Kingsley Akor, visited her in her office.

She announced that a bank will soon open a new branch in the polytechnic.

She, however, said the polytechnic’s convocation proposed for 5th of April, 2025 has been postponed due to funding challenges, assuring that a new date for the event will be announced later.

Prof. Konya advised the students to take their studies seriously and shun all vices that could endanger their future, while also admonishing them to respect constituted authorities.

The SUG President, Akor, had earlier told Prof. Konya that they were in her office to congratulate her on her appointment as the 10th Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

Akor pleaded with the management of the institution to assist the Union to repair the Students’ Union bus.

Chinedu Wosu