News
Fubara’s Governorship, A Divine Project, Obuah Affirms …As Rivers Equity Group Outreach Berths At Omoku

The choice of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has been described as a divine one.
Former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Brother Felix Obuah, stated this in Omoku, last Tuesday, when members of the Rivers State Equity Group visited him in his country home.
Obuah noted that the manner in which Fubara emerged as the PDP flag bearer was a classic case of the hand of God in the affairs of men, which had continued to trail the candidate right from his time as a civil servant.
He, therefore, described the task of ensuring that Fubara emerged victorious in the 2023 governorship election as a divine project which must be accomplished by well-meaning people of Rivers State.
“Nobody makes or gives power. Power belongs to God. No matter what happens or who you are,if you are not destined to occupy a position, you will not get it …”. Fubara has been destined by God to become the governor of Rivers State, and we must work towards achieving it”.
While reacting to the supportgiven to the Equity Group by the PDP candidate for their outreach programme, Obuah noted that he had known Fubara for quite some time, and knows his ideals and attitude towards human capacity development and empowerment.
“This is just the beginning, when he is not yet elected; he is supporting a just cause like the medical outreach. You can imagine what he is going to do when he becomes governor in terms of human capacity development and empowerment. That’s why I said it is a divine project, and I am supporting it to the fullest”, Obuah stated.
Earlier, the Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, had intimated the host that they were in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in continuation of the group’s medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation to prepare the people towards the 2023 elections.
Ogolo informed the host that the group embarked on the medical outreach, especially in identifying with the eye problems of the people to enable them live a better and fulfilling life.
He said that so far, the group has visited Asari-Toru, Oyigbo, Gokana, and Eleme LGAs of the state for similar exercises.
He commended the Patron of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for the support granted the group to embark on the medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation, noting that his prioritising of the welfare of the people of the state was worthy of commendation.
In his remarks, the Deputy Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir J.P. Nalley, briefly introduced the group and its activities ranging from enlightenment on the Electoral Act, free medical services, especially on eyes check-up, treatment, issuing of free eyeglasses and referrals.
He noted that the group, in collaboration with the Linsolar Eye Clinic, had earlier taken the programme to Asari-Toru, Gokana, Eleme local government areas.
Nalley said that prior to venturing into the series of medical outreach/Electoral Act enlightenment programme, Rivers Equity Group had earlier organised series of enlightenment campaigns on Electoral Act and nonviolent elections in Port Harcourt and Oyigbo before going back to the drawing board to brainstorm, and arrived at what the need of the people was, hence the introduction of the medical outreach alongside the enlightenment programme.
He hinted that apart from the efforts of members of the group and a few other well-meaning persons, the Rivers State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming governorship election in the state, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, was a principal supporter for the project.
Also speaking,a senior lawyer and legal luminary, Barrister Emeka Ichoku, who hails from ONELGA, thanked the group for honouring them with the visit, and wished them a pleasant stay throughout the period of the programme and a safe departure thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Equity Group, in its series of visits to LGAs for the medical outreach, berthed in Omoku, headquarters of ONELGA, last Tuesday, when over 300 persons were screened, provided with medicated eye glasses, drugs and the more serious cases referred for elaborate treatment.
The medical outreach is in partnership with Linsolar Eye Clinic, and saw the Chairman of ONELGA, Vincent Job, present eye glasses to some of the beneficiaries.
He commended the group for the project, and pledged his support.
News
Council Boss Sues For Love, Unity

As Christians across the world celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, has advised Nigerians to love one another.
Mr. Apiafi said the period should be used for sober reflection and demonstration of love, unity and embracing the message of Easter.
This was contained in his Easter message and made available to media houses yesterday, saying that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has equally given birth to a new season of faith, hope , sacrifice and prosperity.
The administrator further used the forum to call on all indigenes and those doing business in the Local Government Area to be their brothers’ keeper at all times.
“As we celebrate the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us soberly reflect and demonstrate love and unity particularly indigenes of Opobo/Nkoro,” he said.
Mr. Apiafi reiterated that welfare of workers and the good people of the area would be paramount in his administration.
News
Gunmen Abduct Six Travellers In Kwara

Seven passengers travelling from Abuja to Kwara State were abducted on Saturday along Obbo-Ayegunle road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Three children of the abducted victims were, however, later released by the unidentified kidnappers, according to reports reaching The Tide’s source in Ilorin yesterday.
The abduction occurred between 17:00-18:00 hours, while the passengers were on board a Sienna vehicle owned by Olumoh Express transport company, heading to Offa from Abuja.
All attempts made so far by the local vigilante to rescue the victims were unsuccessful.
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the development.
“Armed hoodlums numbering about eight reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus registered FFA 50XD, heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants including the driver.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives in collaboration with local vigilantes, responded swiftly to the scene.
“The vehicle was recovered to the nearest police formation. During a coordinated search of the surrounding bush, three children aged between two and 12 years were located and safely rescued.
“One of the children was able to give the police detailed information of her guardian who was contacted and the three rescued children have been reunited with their relatives,” the statement added.
The command said it has intensified efforts through discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and sustained bush combing to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, reiterated the commitment of the command to the safety and protection of all residents, urging those with useful information to report through the established channels of the state police command.
News
HYPREP Moves To Complete Ongoing Projects This Year

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has set machinery in motion to complete ongoing projects this year in line with its new policy thrust.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication while addressing participants during the Project’s first quarter interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, said the agency is this year, drawing from a new policy thrust that prioritises timely completion of all projects within stated timelines.
The Project Coordinator noted that as a community-based project, HYPREP understands the urgency of protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in line with its mandate.
He disclosed that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) for example, is currently being painted, as part of its final finishing works, stressing that HYPREP is ensuring that the centre is commissioned this year for public use.
According to him, the Technical Planning Committee for the CEER had submitted its report which contains various recommendations for the operationalisation of the centre.
He further disclosed that the shoreline remediation project is at a completion rate of 39.4 percent, saying, HYPREP has in this area recovered, evaluated and treated over 937,000 litres of oily sludge from the mangrove sediment, as well as evacuated over 1.7million kilogrammes of solid waste from the Ogoni creeks.
According to him, the mangrove restoration project has reached 86 percent completion rate, while the monitoring of the planted mangrove grids is progressing well.
He said HYPREP has also initiated a practical framework for long-term monitoring to ensure the Project’s objectives are met.
The Project Coordinator said HYPREP has achieved significant milestones in the ongoing construction of new water facilities in Ogoni communities, stressing that it is determined to commission the new water facilities in the various communities in the third quarter of this year.
He assured the participants that HYPREP would commission water facilities every two months in Ogoni communities.
Zabbey announced that the Creative Arts training for more Ogoni youths would begin in the second quarter of the year, while other array of interventions to support small and medium scale businesses would be rolled out in the coming weeks.
He revealed that the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital has advanced to a completion rate of 70 percent, while that of Buan Cottage Hospital has reached 93.8 percent.
He also disclosed that in March, the Project Coordination Office took delivery of the first batch of equipment and electrical parts for the Ogoni Power Project, and expects further deliveries in this second quarter.
Zabbey said HYPREP has also deepened its engagement with critical stakeholders, including Ogoni youths and women, adding that this periodic interactive session remains a key part of its yearly work plan to ensure that their voices are heard.
He hinted that some selected youth leaders would benefit from the second batch of the Ogoni traditional rulers and other key stakeholders workshop on mechanism for alternative dispute resolution.
At the interactive session, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura of the Rivers State University delivered a keynote address on how to be on the right side of history, and encouraged Ogoni youths to always strive to be on the right side of history through their actions.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee told the participants that the project is working hard to close out on the training of 5,000 Ogoni youths and women by ensuring that all trainees get their starter packs.
She assured persons living with disabilities in particular that HYPREP would provide more empowerment opportunities to them.
Also, the Head of Potable Water Unit, Mr Lucky Ikue announced that the Terebor water scheme, which had been out of use for some time now, due to technical glitches, would be functional soon, as the station manager has been relieved of his duties.
By: Donatus Ebi
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