Author: Emmanuel Obe

… directs immediate workers relocation The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Administration has mandated the immediate renovation of the dilapidated State Secretariat complex and urgent relocation of civil servants from hazardous work environments. According to a Government House press releases issued by the Special Assistant to the Administrator on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, the directive followed an emergency inspection tour led by Committee Chairman Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who assessed both the Secretariat and the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly project. Ihonvbere described the Secretariat’s state as “more deplorable than facilities in war-torn Gaza,” citing: structural hazards, weak floor tiles, leaking…

The Zonal Chairman of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), High Chief Sunny Nkpe, has expressed deep concern over the slow pace of rehabilitation at the Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5), accusing the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, of failing to demonstrate the commitment needed to get the plant running. Nkpe, who visited the refinery site last weekend on a fact-finding mission, said he was alarmed that, despite being shut down on May 24, 2025, for what was billed as a 30-day repair, the…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied allegations that activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was tortured in custody, insisting his recent arrest was lawful and based on credible criminal complaints. In a statement referenced Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/483 and signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police said Sowore was taken into custody over “credible, corroborated allegations” of offences including forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions under investigation. The statement stressed that his arrest complied with constitutional safeguards and due process, and that he was released on bail within the 48-hour constitutional timeframe provided under Section 35(4) of the…

In a rare show of philanthropy and community, popular businessman and philanthropist, Kingsley Weneda Wali, on Friday at his Rumuagholu home, near Port Harcourt hosted elderly women at his birthday party.He took time out to dance with the women, share hugs and exchange views. At the end of the event his friends shared out cartons of noodles, bags of rice and cooking oil to the women who were overjoyed by the gesture. Wali, also known as Godfather, K-Man, Mallam Wali and GF, is a lawyer, a former politician, public affairs commentator and a businessman.He uses his social media handles to…

Prominent Rivers State indigenes under the aegis of Major Stakeholders have written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, warning that the planned August 30, 2025, local government council elections in the state constitute “a serious threat to democracy” and a “brazen violation” of Nigeria’s Constitution. In the letter titled, “Rivers LG Election: A Serious Threat to Democracy and Repeated Violations of the Constitution — Urgent Warning from Major Stakeholders”, the group accused the Rivers State Sole Administrator appointed by the Federal Government of attempting to conduct the polls without any constitutional mandate. Signatories to the petition include Atedo Peterside,…

The police in Rivers State on Monday said they had arrested all the people involved in the killing of Bright Owor on July 6 along Market Road, Port Harcourt.A press release issues by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspects were caught by the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed to investigate and bring the perpetrators.Iringe-Koko said through meticulous intelligence work and technical surveillance over a ten-day period, all individuals involved in the crime were identified and apprehended.They include, Prince Samuel, 30, armed operative; Daniel Godwin 25 the driver of the getaway vehicle, Henry Peter, 24 arms supplier,…

…to be readmitted into Global Energy Cities PlatformBy Emmanuel Obe Rivers State Government is excited about the recognition of Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City by the Society of Energy Editors (SEE), marking a major milestone in the city’s long-standing leadership in the country’s energy sector. The declaration was made during a courtesy visit by the SEE delegation, led by its Chairman, Mallam Yakubu Lawal, to the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, at Government House in Port Harcourt. Vice Admiral Ibas described the recognition as a “well-deserved tribute” to the city’s historical and strategic role…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has described the Arts and Culture Day organised by the Commission as a demonstration of the fact that the Niger Delta region is peaceful. Ogbuku, who stated this during the Arts and Culture Day organised as part of activities marking the Commission’s 25th anniversary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, described the moment as an indication of peace in the region. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer explained that the day was set aside to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the oil-rich region, in keeping with the anniversary…

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed members of boards of parastatals to uphold the highest standards of service to the state. He said their performances were critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing good governance in Rivers State. The administrator issued the charge while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday. Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Vice Admiral Ibas…

As the local government elections in Rivers State approaches, a political group known as A Coalition of Andoni people has called for the zoning of the Chairmanship of the local government to Unyeada, one of the zones of the local government area. At a press conference held at Ngo, headquarters of the local government area recently, the group said that having watched the other zones produce previous, the right thing to do now was to allow Unyeada produce the next Chairman of the local government. The coalition said Asarama had occupied the seat for nine years, Ataba 16 years, and…