Author: Chim Ogwutum

The recently inaugurated local government chairmen in Rivers State have assumed duties in the various council headquarters and have begun the appointments of aides and supervisors. The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), had on Monday sworn in the 23 newly elected Local Government Chairmen with a charge to embrace transparency, accountability, and grassroots development. The ceremony, held at Government House, Port Harcourt, signaled another step in the state’s return to democratic governance after months of federal intervention following a breakdown of law and order. Ibas reminded the council chairmen that public office was a trust, not…

The Rivers State Local Government elections held on Saturday recorded a low turnout of voters across most areas, despite being largely peaceful. The polls, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), featured only candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), both reportedly endorsed by the Nyesom Wike political platform. The exercise had been trailed by controversy, with civil society organisations and opposition parties questioning its constitutionality and legitimacy up to the last moments. In Eleme Local Government Area, voting took place in all ten wards, but counting was not done at…

…victims lament loss of goods, cash, worth N500m Cries, wailing, and lamentations were rife, following the outbreak of fire at the popular Rumuomasi morning market otherwise known as “ahia wokpu” by the natives.The fire incident which gutted part of the market, affected mainly lockup shops, destroyed goods and cash worth about N500 million, occurred at about 8pm on Tuesday, June 10th, when traders had closed for the day’s business and left for their various homes.Nobody could ascertain the exact cause of the fire as at the time of filing this report. But the only account flagged as the major cause…

A call has gone to all media practitioners in Nigeria and the world over to avoid fake and negative news, because they are antithetical to the human and societal development. The National Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh gave the advice during a recent ceremony marking the 2025 Catholic World Communications Day, held at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt Diocese. Rev. Fr. Umoh told his audience to ensure that they always verified their reports before going to press with them. He said that rather than help, fake news destroys individuals and the society. He called…

At last the Hypercity Supermarket built in the place of the former Slaughter Market, in Oginigba community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area has been commissioned for business amid mixed reactions. Hypercity was a subject of controversy and prolonged protests by the indigenes, especially the women last year, over alleged non-payment of compensation by those who acquired the area. It also resulted in litigations in the court of law by some aggrieved members of the community. During the commissioning, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, minority leader of House of Representatives, Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. OK Chinda, nor the former Obio/Akpor…

The Eze Oha-Omasi II and Paramount ruler of Rumuomasi Clan, HRH Eze Godwin Hope Worlumanekwe, has joined other Ikwerre traditional rulers and leaders in Ikwerre land to reject Senator Azuta Mbata’s election as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo. Mbata was elected on January 10 this year in controversial circumstances. Eze Worlumanekwe described Mbata’s acceptance of the position as unfortunate, unbelievable and a grievous mistake, saying the senator was on his own. The traditional ruler, who is a member of Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention, told journalists in his palace that Senator Mbata’s action was unacceptable and was a slight on the…

Saturday, 16th November, 2024, was a moment of joy and celebration in Kalabari Kingdom, of Ijaw nation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. That day, sons and daughters of Kalabari gathered at Tema/Abalama Roundabout, Emohua/Kalabari Road, to mark an age-long cultural festival; “Kalabari New Year Calendar,” which begins every 16th of November. It attracted chiefs, community/opinion leaders, women, youths as well as academicians, the media and other guests. The day before the event, Friday, 15th November, was declared a sacred day; when Ekine Sekiapu group performed sacred ceremonies at Buguma, the ancestral headquarters of Kalabari Kingdom with their talking…

The inauguration of a good number of volunteer lawyers by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has been hailed by stakeholders as a welcome development and an expectations of better days to come. The lawyers were inaugurated on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at an event put together by SERAP on “Strengthening Stakeholders’ Capacity to Enforce Court Judgements in Nigeria”, especially in Niger Delta Region. Community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of civil society organizations, legal practitioners, the media, and others were in attendance. In his opening remarks, deputy director of SERAP, Kolawole…

The Centre for Environmental, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, civil society organizations, CSOs, community stakeholders, and the media, have unanimously and vehemently opposed the decision of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to divest from onshore operations to offshore in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In a research finding unveiling titled, ‘Recovery: Supporting Remedy for Onshore Oil Impacted Communities In The Niger Delta’ held in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, and powered by CEHRD, the people said “NO” to such negative decision, insisting, that if Shell must divest, it should first address the issue of environmental degradation caused…

Thursday, October 17, 2024, marked what the people of Oginigba community, especially their women described as a new dawn and a turning point in the history of the community. It was the day respite came to them after nearly one year of being taken out of business, following the grabbing of their slaughter market by the immediate past Governor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. But, with the recent conduct of the Local Government Election in Rivers State, on 5th October, 2024, the new Executive Chairman, Amb. (Hon.) Chijioke Ihunwo, thought it wise and proper to reopen the market for…