Author: Emmanuel Obe

Ms. Usoro Akpabio has been confirmed by the Senate as the pioneer Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC). Also confirmed was Chibudom Nwuche as the Chairman of the Commission. The confirmation was made after they and other governing board members and executive directors of the commission were screened by the Senate Committee on SSDC chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei. Other directors confirmed were Chief Marcus Nle Ejii (Rivers State), Executive Director Works and Projects; Steven Aganaba (Bayelsa State), Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development; Timi Ayibatonye (Delta State), Executive Director Corporate Services; Joseph Ugheoke (Edo), Executive Director…

Tension is brewing in Eleme and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State following reported attacks on farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the areas. It was reported on Wednesday that the herdsmen attacked and killed one Mr. Goodluck Dimkpa, in his farm at Ueken, Tai. Another victim, whose name was not given was attacked n his farm at Egbalor community in Ebubu, Eleme. A woman and a couple, who were allegedly kidnapped from their farms also in Egbalor however escaped from their captivity. Responding to the development, a civil rights activist in Port Harcourt, Mr. Solomon Lenu, said, “It’s…

Prince Nwafor Oji Awala, an eminent son of Eleme has challenged the senator representing Rivers South-East, Senator Barry Mpigi, to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the questionable execution of the Eleme section of the East-West road project. Awala, a publisher, who was responding to Senator Mpigi’s statement that reassured Ogoni people of the commitment of the Federal Government to the completion of the project, said recent developments about the project contradict the assurance given by the senator. He therefore urged the senator to take up the project with the Minister of Works, who has been supervising the…

One of the success stories of the Ogoni Cleanup being undertaken by the Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is the restoration of the mangrove forests in previously devastated swamps. The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey disclosed this in his midterm report at the Stakeholders Engagement forum held in Port Harcourt last Friday. The Project Coordinator said apart from the rebounding of the mangrove forests, popular seafood organisms like periwinkles and cockles that disappeared from the creeks were finding their way back to the joy of the people. He told the gathering that HYPREP has been able to achieve…

Prominent voices from Ogoniland have rejected the presidential pardon and national honours recently conferred on environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight others executed alongside him in 1995. The Ogoni people are instead demanding full exoneration, insisting that a pardon does not address the injustice meted out to their heroes. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had part of activities marking Democracy Day, posthumously granted presidential pardons and national honours to the “Ogoni Nine,” recognizing their contribution to Nigeria’s environmental justice movement. But the gesture has been met with mixed reactions, especially from Ogoni leaders and civil society advocates. Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene…

A policeman attached to Ahoada East Local Government secretariat and a vigilante were gunned down on Monday night by people believed to be members of the Iceland cult in Ahoada. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, however vowed that the police would track down the killers and bring them to book. A press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Grace Iringe-Koko, condemned the brutal attack, which was led by two notorious gang leaders in the area, Umegbewe Kingsley alias Gutam and one Opaka. The police statement said the…

The Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, has pledged to support efforts towards the establishment and commencement of a magistrate court in the area. The administrator made the pledge when the leadership of Opobo Lawyers Forum (OLF) in Port Harcourt visited him. Apiafi said though his mandate as an interim administrator did not allow him to embark on new capital projects, the council would work with other bodies to ensure that a befitting magistrate court building was erected and court sessions were commenced. He said the council would ensure that the necessary paperwork for any…

Reynolds Construction Company Limited has commenced work on the Port Harcourt-bound lane of the Eleme segment of the East-West road project. However, motorists and other road users have expressed concerns regarding the perceived decline in quality across various parts of the project. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent commissioning of the Eket-bound lane, several sections of this route remain incomplete. During a site visit by National Point, it was observed that workers from RCC were actively engaged on the Eket-bound lane between Kilometres 1-3, which runs from Eleme Junction on the Port Harcourt–Aba expressway to Akpajo. At the same time, no…

The Rivers State Administrator, His Excellency Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has promised to revive moribund agricultural facilities in the state to stimulate industrial growth and create employment opportunities. The Administrator made the promise after an inspection of key state-owned agricultural facilities, including PABOD Farms in Elimgbu Community, Atali Farms in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Siat Nigeria Limited in Ubima (Ikwerre LGA), and the Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre on Friday. He expresses concern over the underutilization of the facilities and emphasized the urgent need for their revival, as doing so would also diversify the state’s revenue streams.…

A collection of elder statesmen and leaders of thought in Rivers Stateunder the umbrella of Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum have called on President Bola Tinubu to lift the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State snce march, 18, 2025. In a press statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the forum noted that having achieved the desired peace deal between the suspended Governor, Mr. Siminalayi and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, it had become apparent that the President who predctaed the declaration of the state of emergency on the rift between the two political…