Author: Emmanuel Obe

…Eleme leaders demand urgent replacement of obsolete facilities The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has promised to investigate the cause of Thursday’s gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, and take urgent steps to prevent a recurrence. The Managing Director of NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company, Mr. Audu Ibrahim, gave the assurance during a visit to the palace of the Oneh-Eh Eleme, King Philip Osaro Obele, following the incident, which raised concerns over the safety of residents and the environmental impact of the explosion. Ibrahim expressed sympathy with the affected community and acknowledged concerns…

The Oneh-Eh Eleme, King Philip Obele, has blamed the Nigerian Gas Company Limited (NGC) for Thursday’s gas pipeline explosion in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, alleging that the company failed to act on an earlier warning from the community. King Obele, who visited the scene of the incident on Friday, said residents had noticed an unusual noise coming from the pipeline and promptly alerted the company. Rather than take immediate steps to address the problem, however, the monarch alleged that the company merely erected a barricade and left the area. “Instead of arresting the situation, they just…

The Rivers State Police Command has suspended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abuloma Division and the officer overseeing the Abuloma Police Outpost of following allegations that suspected cultists renovated the facility. The officers have also been queried, while the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the renovation and the alleged visit by the suspected cultists to celebrate its completion. The development follows a trending social media report and a circulating video alleging that suspected cultists renovated the police facility and visited the outpost on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to…

A crude oil pipeline has reportedly ruptured and exploded in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, spilling crude oil into the surrounding environment. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, October 15, along the Trans-Niger Pipeline, which transports crude oil to the Bonny Export Terminal. The spill spread thick, brown, muddy crude oil across an area extending more than 200 metres from the point of rupture, covering nearby residential and commercial areas. Residents reportedly fled the affected area amid fears that the spilled crude oil could ignite and trigger a fire. The incident comes barely weeks after a…

The 5,000 teachers shortlisted for recruitment into Rivers State public schools have commenced documentation in Port Harcourt, signalling progress in the state government’s efforts to address manpower shortages in the education sector. The newly recruited teachers, who are expected to teach in senior secondary and basic schools across the state, were notified of the exercise through text messages sent to their mobile phones. Documentation for senior secondary school teachers began on Monday at the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, while those recruited for basic schools commenced the process on Tuesday at the Rivers State Basic Education Board, Elechi Beach,…

Family and friends on Sunday came together to celebrate the longevity of Rt. Rev. ANC Iyalla at St. Jude’s Cathedral, Creek Road, Port Harcourt as he turned a hundred years. Rt. Rev. Iyalla, who hails from Bakana in Degema local Government Area of Rivers State, lived a long life of public service before joining the clergy. He rose to become the bishop of the diocese of the church in Port Harcourt. Family members, who gave testimonials about him, spared no word in describing the outstanding life of service to God and humanity, even in retirement. At the special service that…

The Ijaw Nation and Bayelsa State have been thrown into mourning following the death of four indigenes of the state in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash at Igbokoda, Ondo State. The military aircraft, NAF 931, crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026, while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently released the names of those on board, with four identified as Ijaw sons from Bayelsa State. They are Flight Lieutenant Tarila L. Lazarus, from Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area; Sergeant Charles Alafuka; Sergeant S.I. Izibenikien, from Yenagoa Local Government Area;…

Nigeria has honoured many of the men and women who contributed to its struggle for independence and the development of the country. Yet, there remain individuals whose contributions to the emergence of Nigeria as a nation have received far less recognition than they deserve. One of them is Ernest Sisei Ikoli, a pioneering journalist, teacher, nationalist and political organiser whose name occupies an important place in the early history of Nigerian nationalism. At a time when colonial rule was firmly entrenched and the idea of an independent Nigeria was still distant, Ikoli was already involved in building institutions, developing political…

Chief Ralph Obioha, a prominent pro-democracy activist, businessman and former member of the House of Representatives, has died. Obioha, who was associated with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), was one of the notable figures involved in the struggle against military rule and the campaign for the restoration of democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. According to Bush Radio Academy, Obioha became widely recognised during Nigeria’s political crisis of the 1990s for his role in mobilising support for the restoration of the democratic mandate believed to have been secured through the June 12 election. During the…

The Tinubu Again Movement (TAM) has begun mobilising stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative industry in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. The movement made the pitch in Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during a sensitisation meeting with members of the Concerned Creatives, including musicians, actors, social media influencers, scriptwriters, comedians, movie directors and bloggers. The delegation was led by TAM’s Director-General, Dr. Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, while the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the movement, Ms. Ruby Iwoyefa Nyananyo, was also among officials who participated in the engagement. Addressing the stakeholders, Aliyu…