Author: Constance Meju

Local Government Authorities in Rivers State have been charged to set up gender desks for the Climate Change Action to facilitate the implementation of the National Gender Action Plan for Climate Change already put in place by the Federal Government. This was part of recommendations of a capacity building workshop for local government officials, community leaders and community women on localizing gender action plan on climate change. Welcoming participants to the event, the executive director of the Institute, Mrs. Mgbechi Anyakwee, disclosed that the workshop was aimed at educating the local government officials so that they will go to their…

Conflict Management and Peace-building experts have warned that the increasing numbers of out-of-school children in Lagos State have assumed a worrisome dimension and called on the state government to urgently engage stakeholders to put measures in place to address the menace. They spoke at a recent one-day meeting on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), where a Steering Committee was inaugurated in Lagos State to work out an Action Plan for preventing violent extremism. Speakers identified the influx of young adults and children from states across Nigeria into Lagos, and those within the state without parental care and guidance as…

As the state of emergency declared in Rivers State continues to receive condemnation and constitute a clog in the wheel of progress in the administration of the state, concerned citizens in collaboration of non-governmental organizations in the state have sent out a strong call to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order calling for the immediate recall of the elected governor, Sir Similaiyi Fubara. At a press briefing June 18, as human rights groups marched for respect for democratic tenets in Port Harcourt on June 18, Pilex Center, a frontline advocate against the unconstitutional act of the president,…

Oil infrastructure failures are endemic! On May 6, 2025, the Trans Niger Pipeline ruptured, releasing thousands of barrels of crude into B-Dere community in Ogoniland marking the second major spill in two months and highlighting neglect of aging assets. Years of spills have left soil and mangrove forests saturated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, with 5 – 10 percent of Nigeria’s mangroves already destroyed by oil contamination and settlement. A recent study by Kebetkache revealed that communities living near polluted sites are reported to have high rates of respiratory ailments, skin lesions, gastrointestinal disorders, and elevated cancer risk due to benzene…

Oil infrastructure failures are endemic! On May 6, 2025, the Trans Niger pipeline ruptured, releasing thousands of barrels of crude into B-Dere community in Ogoniland—marking the second major spill in two months and highlighting neglect of aging assets. Years of spills have left soil and mangrove forests saturated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, with 5–10 % of Nigeria’s mangroves already destroyed by oil contamination and settlement. A recent study by Kebetkache revealed that communities living near polluted sites are reported to have high rates of respiratory ailments, skin lesions, gastrointestinal disorders, and elevated cancer risk due to benzene and polycyclic aromatic…

As Nigerians are questioning the presentation of the 2025 budget of the Rivers State government by President Bola Tinubu, a direct usurpation of state power, leading good governance advocate and executive director of Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative-The Peoples Advocate, Comrade Courage Nsirimovu has lambasted the president for promoting rascality by his act.Nsirimovu, a lawyer, who has challenged the declaration of a state of emergency on Rivers State in court said in a statement released May 22, that the usurpation of the powers and roles of the governor is also a terrorist act. He noted that Tinubu is acting…

On Monday March 22, in commemoration of the World Water Day, with a focus on glacier preservation, OLEGH Centre for Community Development, a non-governmental organization held a press conference which, highlighted the dangers of poor water sanitation in Rivers State with a call for urgent government action. The event took place at the OLEGH office, No. 41 Railway Close, D/Line, Port Harcourt.While the world advocates for glacier preservation which plays an important role such as supporting Agricultural activities, providing drinking water supplies which is essential for millions of people around the world. OLEGH Centre beamed attention on the continuous abuse…

The Rivers Women Cooperative Federation Alliance Ltd has strengthened the capacity of its members for better performance. It held a one-day training tagged, ‘Capacity Training on Strengthening Women’s Participation in Resource Governance’ on Saturday, March 22 at the Kebetkache Women Development  and Resource Center hall in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The training featured a presentation on ‘Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for Community Development,‘ and ‘Developing Community Needs Assessment for Host Community Development’. Delivering her presentation on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Mrs Idongesit Smart, senior programme officer with Kebetkache stressed, that for development to be progressive and sustainable,…

As the world celebrates the month hosting the International Women’s Day, Ogoni women, victims of torture in the hands of the Nigerian military 1993-95, during the days of agitation against the atrocities of Shell in their land, retold their stories of torture including rape and unimaginable humiliation that still wracks their lives. This was part of events marking the 2025 International Women’s Day in Port Harcourt, Monday March 10, 2025, tagged, “2025 International Women’s Day: Feminists Convergence and Trauma Healing Session.” At the trauma healing session, the women cutting across varied ages, narrated their harrowing experiences sending deep feelings down…

At the ceremony marking the grand opening of the Tech Skills Training Programme, TSTP, organized by Women Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center, WAPDAGEC with support from the Innocent Chukwuemeka Empowerment Foundation ICCEF, the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, represented by Dr. Grace Oko, called for enhanced technical and digital training for boys and girls for a more assured future. The event which held at the Cross River State University March 17, is part of the broader TSTP initiative, which seeks to provide young individuals with technical skills and opportunities…