Author: Emmanuel Obe

The former Administrator of Rivers State, Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has said that he left a legacy of governance in Rivers State that has become a model for good governance. Ibas, who spoke at a public lecture to mark the end of his tenure as the sole administrator of the state, declared that the state had been successfully stabilised under his stewardship. The Public Lecture themed, “Democracy and Good Governance,” brought together academics, policymakers, and citizens to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey and the recent experience of Rivers State. Vice Admiral Ibas recalled that his core mandate was to…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has affirmed its commitment to regional development through inclusive dialogue and transparency in the implementation of projects across the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku stated this during a stakeholders meeting on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Warri, Delta State. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection and Control, Mr. Oscar Gbayisemore, noted that sustainable development must go hand-in-hand with environmental protection. He called for deeper collaboration with stakeholders during project implementation. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer further highlighted the synergy between the NDDC and the…

Pandemonium broke out on Saturday at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, where thousands of local government workers had gathered for a long-running verification exercise. Frustrated after days of waiting without being attended to, the workers, many of them nursing mothers, pregnant women, and sick persons, resorted to protest, creating a commotion at the venue. The verification exercise, which began more than a month ago, is part of the state government’s reforms to cleanse the payroll of ghost workers. But the slow pace and logistical lapses have left many workers stranded. Several of those at the civic centre said…

Hon. Justice Patience Diri, wife of Bayelsa Governor, has encouraged youths to discipline themselves through reading quality literature. Diri, who spoke at the unveiling of the book, “When Tomorrow Beckons” and the fund raiser for Spelling Bee Bayelsa, commended the author for the courage and discipline she showed in writing the book and her encouragement to young people to be disciplined through reading books. “My father who was a journalist always encouraged us to read newspapers and good literature books during our days when growing up as teenagers. “Books are unique and it shapes memories that live forever than life…

The Boyloaf Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for the promotion of peace and values of tolerance, respect and empathy among the youths, especially boys, in the Niger Delta. The foundation, dedicated to non-violence advocacy and the protection of the boy child, in partnership with Miss Peace Organisation and with the support of the Bayelsa Government, brought children and other stakeholders together to celebrate the International Day of peace with a theme, “Little Hands Big Dreams”. The children showcased their talents in arts, poetry, speech-making, Afro dance, drama, catwalk for peace, paintings, music, among others. The event, which brought…

Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo from Rivers State, South-South Nigeria has been re-elected as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for a second term of four-years. Sukubo achieved a resounding victory in the highly competitive National Unity Elective Congress of the NYCN, held from Monday to Tuesday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. The Returning Officer of the National Elective Congress of NYCN, Dr. Bethel Oko-Jaja, declared that Sukubo garnered 756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Elizabeth Olawande from the South-West, who polled 32 votes, and another opponent Usaini Mohammad Kaoje from the North-West, who secured…

The death has been announced of a female referee in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Miss Happiness Friday. She died on Friday. A message by Secretary of the Eleme Football Referee Society, Rev. Joseph Epobari Oluji, said the society was deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and tragic loss of Miss Happiness, a Grade Three member of the Eleme Referee Society. Rev. Oluji said, “The untimely departure today has left us with irreparable grief and a sense of irretrievable loss.‎ “Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We…

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has inducted 12 new female journalists into its Report Women! Female Reporters’ Leadership Programme (FRLP), marking another significant step in its commitment to advancing gender equality in Nigerian media. At the induction ceremony held in Lagos, Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO of WSCIJ, reiterated the Centre’s mission to ensure more women lead newsrooms and influence narratives. Quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Alaka emphasised that “women’s participation in decision-making is not a gift, it is a right.” “We are not just closing a programme; we are celebrating a journey. A journey that has continued…

The suspension of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State has restored constitutional governance, but there still remains an atmosphere of political mistrust and lingering divisions among the major political actors more than one week after. While declaring the end of the emergency rule, President Bola Tinubu said from the intelligence he had there was a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. Governor Siminalayi Fubara had also assured that peace had returned and that all parties…

The founder of D’Marriage Centre, Bishop Godspower Osaro, and one Barinaa Saneh, were on Thursday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Nchia, Eleme Local Government Area, for allegedly stealing desks, chairs, fittings, panels, and other office equipment valued at N25 million from Community Primary School, Alesa, Eleme. The two defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of stealing, were granted bail by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Kevin Chinaka. Bail was set at N9.5 million each, with conditions including the provision of a senior government official as surety. The alleged theft occurred less than two weeks after newly supplied…