Author: Treasure Chisa Achor

A film screening in Port Harcourt has ignited a powerful conversation about religious tolerance and human rights, and how to empower young people to become champions for change.Organized by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) on March 12, the event, titled, “Bridging the Abyss,” brought together tertiary students from across Rivers State for a screening of a film highlighting the importance of respecting diverse religious beliefs.The film, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, explored the challenges and triumphs of individuals protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. Its compelling narrative, focused on raising…

The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has criticized the Rivers State lawmakers loyal to former the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for issuing ultimatums to the Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, saying they were detrimental to the interests of the people of Rivers State.In a statement, the ACJHR accused the lawmakers of obstructing the state’s progress despite ceasing to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their defection. The group asserted that the faction led by Martin Amaewhule operating under Wike’s influence, were hindering the development of the state.“The lawmakers, who…

The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) Worldwide and the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) have called on protesters demanding a Delta State indigene as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to withdraw their protests and embrace peaceful dialogue. The call for calm follows recent agitation by the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network, which petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that a Delta State indigene should replace Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as NDDC Managing Director. The coalition accused the current NDDC management of corruption and mismanagement, threatening mass protests if their demands were…

A capacity-strengthening training program aimed at empowering youth leaders on conflict transformation and non-adversarial engagement has officially commenced in Port Harcourt. Organized by Search for Common Ground and funded by the European Union, the program is part of the larger project titled A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta.The initiative, being implemented across Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States, seeks to equip young people with the skills to manage conflicts using peaceful and collaborative approaches. The training, held at The Edge Hotel, GRA, Port Harcourt, focuses on helping participants understand identity, its role in conflict, and…

…first major development project in 28yrs In a landmark initiative, the European Union (EU), in collaboration with Search for Common Ground, is set to launch a solar-powered water and sanitation project in Igbikisikila-ama, addressing long-standing infrastructural deficits in the community. The Intervention follows a December 2023 investigative report by National Point, which shed light on the dire conditions in Igbikisikila-ama, including inadequate toilet facilities, lack of clean water, recurrent flooding, and the prevalence of crude oil theft and illegal refining—factors that have contributed to the area’s economic downturn. Despite its persistent challenges, the community has not benefited from any government-led…

In a bid to curb conflict and promote peace in the Niger Delta, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), with funding from the European Union, and partnership with stakeholders Democratic Network (SDN) and Partnership initiative in the Niger Delta(PIND) has trained youths from diverse communities in digital media literacy. The initiative aims to equip participants with the skills to combat online misinformation and foster transformative dialogue and peace.The training, themed “Digital Media Literacy Training,” is part of a broader project titled “A Community-Centered Approach in Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta.” This initiative seeks to promote inclusive community security…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has has recently revealed that over 14 million Nigerians are engaged in drug misuse, highlighting a growing crisis of substance abuse in the country.Amidst these concerns, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed deep alarm over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students. During an awareness campaign at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-South Zonal Coordinator, Oligbu Chukwuma, warned that secondary schools were becoming breeding grounds for drug abuse. Describing…

Abuloma Community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area in Rivers State has banned gas retail outlets in the community following last Saturday’s gas explosion at Orazi, also in Port Harcourt where several people died and many others were admitted in hospital with severe 3-5 degree burns.In a memo to all residents, landlords and business owners in the area, Abuloma Community Development Committee said the ban on the retail outlets was to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Abuloma.”Landlords are hereby warned that they will be held liable for any breach of this prohibition. It is their responsibility…

A devastating gas explosion occurred on Saturday 4th of January 2025 at around Big Tree Junction, Orazi Port Harcourt leaving so many including children with severe five-degree burns and a five-year-old dead the next day.The fire spread into neighbouring shops. The explosion according to an eye witness started in a lockup shop where a man named Chidi was running a business of refilling gas, selling cylinders and welding cylinders.She said, “The explosion happened in the shop, the guy sells gas. He sells cylinders, he also welds inside. I don’t know how he does it but he fixes pot, cylinders and…

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), has risen to the defense of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, after radical lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) accused the minister of trying to gain political favour from the judges by providing them with accommodation. Falana in a well publicized comment has said the recent provision of residential accommodation by Wike was unconstitutional and an affront on the judiciary. Daudu, who was addressing the Sixth Annual Criminal Law Review Conference in Abuja, dismissed claims by Falana that the houses could be perceived as an attempt…