Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Cross River State House of Assembly has suspended the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, for three months. The suspension followed an impeachment notice forwarded to the House and signed by the Leader of the Ogoja Legislative Council, Dr. Elizabeth Mbim, alleging gross misconduct and abandonment of duty. Invoking Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law, the House unanimously resolved that Hon. Yakubu be suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution. The motion for the suspension was moved…

The Bayelsa State Government has announced it will take over the prosecution of the murder of Mr. Peresuodei Ondutimi Abbah, following the conclusion of police investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death. This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State, which said Governor Douye Diri had directed the Ministry of Justice to assume responsibility for prosecuting all suspects found culpable in the case. Peresuodei, an indigene of Amassoma Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was allegedly abducted, illegally detained and later killed under circumstances that have…

Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga (rtd.) has formally submitted his nomination to contest the presidency of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), signalling a major development in the build-up to the organisation’s 2026 national elections. The nomination was submitted on Tuesday to the INC Election Committee at the Ijaw House, the national secretariat of the Congress. Admiral Yanga, a prominent figure in the Ijaw struggle, is widely recognised for his activism even while serving as a naval officer. He is among those credited with placing their military careers on the line during the agitation that led to the creation of Bayelsa State…

A public interest lawyer, Mr. M.O. Idam, has appealed to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Chief of Defence Staff to halt what he described as the unlawful mass arrest and victimisation of people from Amasiri communities in Ebonyi State. In a petition dated January 31, 2026, Idam condemned the reported arrest of several Amasiri residents by military personnel and the alleged dismissal and dethronement of government appointees and traditional rulers of Amasiri extraction, following an attack on properties and residents of Oso Community. The lawyer expressed concern over a viral…

…residents seek government, police intervention Growing insecurity across communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has triggered widespread concern, with residents calling for urgent intervention by the state government and security agencies. In Ukwa Town, reports indicate that suspected gunmen recently invaded the Mbabo Royal House, destroying properties, setting houses ablaze and vandalising the monument statue of the community’s king. The incident has heightened fears among residents and renewed calls for decisive action to stem violence in the area. Community leaders and youths say Andoni, once largely peaceful, has increasingly been drawn into violent conflicts linked to political…

The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Obi Epiphany Azinge, has embarked on a strategic engagement with key federal institutions in Abuja to secure employment opportunities for Asaba youths. The monarch disclosed this during an emergency meeting of the Asagba-in-Council held last Sunday, where he met with chiefs and elders of the capital city. Obi Azinge said the rising level of youth unemployment in Asaba was disturbing and required urgent and practical intervention. He informed the council that he would travel to the Federal Capital Territory next week on a working visit aimed at securing about 1,000 job opportunities and…

The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, has formally commenced academic activities with the admission of 1,004 pioneer students into 28 departments across six faculties. The Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, JP, DSSRS, announced this on Monday during a media briefing, where he also unveiled plans for the institution’s maiden matriculation ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Professor Mmom described the commencement of academic activities as a historic milestone for FUET, Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta region, noting that the institution was established…

…allegedly shot by unknown gunmen There is growing concern over the safety and well-being of Mene Suanu Baridam, the traditional ruler of the Ancient Bangha Kingdom in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, following reports that he was attacked by unknown gunmen. Sources close to the monarch disclosed that the incident occurred on Sunday evening, when the king was allegedly shot by unidentified assailants. He was said to have been rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. As of the time of filing this report, details of his condition had not been officially disclosed. Reacting to the incident, a…

Elder statesman and former military chief, Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd), has called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, to place the peace and stability of Rivers State above personal interests amid the lingering political crisis in the state. Porbeni made the appeal in an open letter addressed to both leaders, warning that the escalating tension between them poses serious risks to governance, development, and investor confidence in Rivers State. Describing his intervention as non-partisan and driven by conscience, Porbeni said silence at this critical moment would amount to betrayal,…

The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) has commenced a state-level training programme to kickstart the 2025/2026 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) and Community-Based Deworming exercise. This initiative is specifically designed to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 11 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the state. Participants in the intensive training included Medical Officers of Health (MOHs), Local Neglected Tropical Disease (LNTD) focal persons, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers, supported by two state supervisors for each implementing LGA. Lymphatic Filariasis, often referred to as a “disease of poverty,” is a vector-borne condition caused by microfilaria worms and transmitted…