Rivers

Former Info Commissioner Is New Obonoma King

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2023

Former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has been crowned as the new Onu Onyan Ekein/Amanyanabo of Obonoma Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
By the ceremony, King Dateme is now Obonogina ix of Obonoma Kingdom.
While placing the crown on the head of King Dateme at the Obonoma Community Square, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt Rev Emmanuel Okwuchi Oko-Jaja pronounced blessings on the new monarch.
“We annoint your head. We annoint your chest. The service and dedication of this crown to God, that as Solomon was annointed, may you be annointed”, he said.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Obonoma, Venerable Isobeye Amabibi, also called on the new monarch to rule with the fear of God.
He urged him to embark on a unification campaign in the community.
In an interview with newsmen, Amabibi called on the new King to promote love and bring everybody together in unity and oneness.
Meanwhile, the Obonogina ix, King Enenimibo-Ofori Dateme, has unveiled his vision for the kingdom.
Speaking shortly after his coronation, he said he would work towards the development of the Obonoma mainland and its satellite communities.
According to the King, the Kingdom, which has vast land, has great potentials for development.
He said the community has dedicated itself to God, adding that by this feat, the ancient rituals of libations is gone for good.
He also announced that a day will be set aside annually for the rememberance of the founding fathers of the Kingdom.
Deteme warned mischief makers to keep off, adding that no one will be allowed to destroy the Kingdom because of selfish interest.
He commended former Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for not only recognizing the Obonoma chieftaincy stool, but classified it as second class and presented a staff of office to him.
Meanwhile, some traditional rulers in Kalabari Kingdom have hailed the choice of King Enenimibo-ofori Dateme as the king of Obonoma.
Speaking with newsmen, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, His Majesty King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, said the community has made the right choice by coronating King Dateme as the Amanyanabo of the community.
He also advised him to promote peace and love among his people.
Also speaking the Amanyanabo of Minama and Chairman, Asari Toru council of governments recognize traditional rulers, HRH King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo, said Dateme was the right person to lead the community at this point in time.
King Pokubo also called on the new monarch to unite the people, while also calling on the people to rally round their king to enable him succeed.
The ceremony was attended by monarchs from the various Kalabari Kingdoms and Communities as well as Government officials.
It would be recalled that king Dateme was selected by the Queen Bo Royal family of Obonoma to ascend the throne of Obonoma Community in June 2020.
The ascension followed a long period of interregnum occasioned by the death of the Obonogina Viii in 1987.
He was a Second Class traditional ruler and member of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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