Worried by the growing spate of insecurity in the country, the National President of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba has urged governments at all levels to be proactive in the fight against kidnapping and general insecurity in the land.
The president gave the charge Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony of the new secretariat building of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The president decried the kidnapping of broadcaster and on-air personality, Anthony Akatakpo, alias Akas Baba.
Garuba, who lamented the increasing threat to the lives of journalists in the course of carrying out their duties, said the foremost responsibility of government was to protect the lives of the citizens, a task he said, should not be compromised.
The NUJ president also commended the developmental strides of the Rivers State Government, especially in the construction of brand new state-of-the-art secretariat complex for the NUJ in Rivers State.
In his remarks, the National President of Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU), Dr Abel Gbamgbose, lauded the information and communications management policy of Rivers State Government, noting that Rivers State was the first to host the State Council on Information in Nigeria.
The RATTAWU boss also urged the Rivers State Government to upgrade the facilities of the state-owned media for better service delivery..
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari had stated that the gesture of the government to build a secretariat for the NUJ was in recognition of the role of journalists in the development of the society.
Meanwhile, a former Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Chief Albert K. Horsfall has cautioned the youth in Rivers State against being used by politicians to destabilize their communities during the forth-coming general elections.
Horsfall said  at a peace and security conference organized by his foundation and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, that rather than taking guns from politicians to kill their people, the youth should ask for education and jobs from politicians.
He warned that Rivers State must never be allowed to descend to the pre-2007 period when anarchy was let loose in the state.
Horsfall, who attributed some of the crisis in the state to the refusal of people to tell the truth, said the time has come for Rivers people to stand up to challenge those who threaten the peace and stability of the state, stressing that having suffered so much in the past, the state deserves peace and tranquillity..
Horsfall said that the conference was necessitated by the need to avoid a breakdown of law and order during the forth-coming elections.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Chukwudi D. Orike described the conference as timely in view of the present volatile nature of the state and the country.
While attributing the causes of violence to bad governance, injustice and inequality, he lamented the criminalization of politics, and stated that the lost glory of Rivers State as a peaceful state can be restored, if deliberate efforts are made to restore peace.
According to him, this can be achieved, if volunteers from the 23 local government areas work together with the A.K Horsfall Foundation to expel the forces of evil.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Mr Opaka Dokubo said that the conference has provided the platform for stakeholders to talk on the peace and security of the state.
Dokubo also commended the A.K Horsfall Foundation for the support, noting that for a long time, journalists across the state have been yearning for support to advance the cause of peace in the state.

Taneh Beemene

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Baba Farouk (5th left), with other stakeholders , on a walk to commemorate the World Water Day in Abuja,yesterday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated its readiness to use a biometric electronic register in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.
Also 30,000 polling units will be created to bring the total number of polling booths in the country to 120,000.
This will also reduce the number of voters from 3,000 to 500 in a polling unit for accreditation or voting in peak period.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak disclosed this during a peace and security conference orgainsed by the A.K Horsefall Foundation and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Ikoiwak said that the commission has subjected the voters’ register compiled in the last registration exercise in 2011 to automated fingerprints identification  system (AFIS), noting that the AFIS process made it possible for the commission to produce permanent voters’ cards which will soon be distributed in Rivers State and in all the states of the federation.
The INEC commissioner said that steps have been taken to introduce serial numbering of the sensitive materials that would be used during the election.
According to him, there is serial numbering and colour coding of ballot papers and results.
In his speech, the Public Relations Officer of the 2nd Briagade, Nigeria Army, Major Michael Etete said that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies were ready to ensure peace in the state.

Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, Sir Tony Okocha (right) chatting with the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari (left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning, , Sir Promise Njiowhor (2nd left) and member of Board of UBE, Mr Lucky Worlu (2nd right) at the ground breaking ceremony of the new NUJ Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The Federal Govern
ment has approved an orthography for the teaching and learning of Etche language in schools.
The Bishop, Diocese of Etche Anglican communion, Rt Rev. Okechukwu Precious Nwala, who disclosed this when the Etche Brothers Assembly, a socio-cultural organisation in the area, paid him a courtesy visit said that work on the translation of the Bible into the Etche language has commenced.
Rt Rev.Nwala attributed the under development of Etcheland to lack of a leadership structure, stressing that most politicians from the area were ready to mortgage the collective interest of Etche people for their own parochial interest.
He criticised the high level of inconsistency on the part of some personalities from the area on the issue of development of the area, stressing that this must not be allowed to continue.
The clergyman commended the Etche Brothers Assembly for its commitment to the promotion  of peace and development in Etcheland and urged the body to remain focused and consistent.
Earlier, the President of Etche Brothers Assembly, Sir Chima Choko, had said that the body was on a mission to see to the peace of Etcheland, especially during the 2015 elections.
He said that the group will meet with all stakeholders both in Etche and Omumu Local Government Areas to sensitise them on the importance of peace in the area.

Chairman,Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon Victoria Nyeche (right), discussing with Divisional Police Officer for Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority, SP Rufina Ukadike (left),during the committee’s oversight functions’ visit to the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority, Port Harcourt, recently. With them are Sole Administrator,RSESA, Mr Ade Adeogun (middle) and other personalities. Photo: Chris Monyanaga.

The National Director of
Harvest Time Fellowship of Churches International, Bishop Godswill E.D. Jumbo, has called on the Federal Government to set a time frame to end gas flaring in the country.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen at the end of a one day National Word Conference in Port Harcourt, Bishop Jumbo said that continuous flaring of gas by multinational companies was affecting the Niger Delta and its people.
The cleric also suggested the use of expatriates to handle the issue of pollution, stressing that the conference which was organised by the fellowship was to seek for divine intervention in the affairs of the nation.
According to him, the conference which has the theme: “Where Is The God Of Our Fathers,” is to seek God’s intervention to check the menace of corruption and the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Army Staff General Minimah for containing the insurgency.
Speaking on the topic: Community Policing: Why the Church Should Partner with the Police,” the Chairman Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Rivers State, Mr  Young, said that the church can partner with the police to check crime through the provision of equipment to the police.
Mr Young further said that the formation of neighbourhood watch should be part of the responsibilities of churches, stressing that by so doing crime will be drastically reduced in the society.
He decried the poor allocation to the police force, stressing that this situation has underscored the need for churches and other organisations to support the force to check criminality.
Speaking on the theme: “Where is the God of our fathers,” Pastor Frank Opunye of Bible Faith Church said that God of old is also the God of today and charged Christians to always put God  in their dealings.

The Rivers State Government has debunked insinuations that it any way disparaged the character, integrity and leadership qualities of the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku Adol Peterside.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Godswill Ene, said the reaction was meant to correct impressions created by some mischief makers who may want to mislead the citizenry by spreading outright falsehoods and distorted information.

According to the statement, the government said that its “attention has been drawn to a publication in the Hard Truth Newspaper of March 20-26, 2014, with the caption, ‘Amaechi Discredits Dakuku, Others’, on the front page and page 10. Ordinarily we would not have suffered them a response but in order not to allow mischief makers have a field day in misleading gullible members of the public with distorted information, we wish to clarify the issues raised in the said publication.

“The statement credited to the Rivers State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Tele Ikuru, would best be described as a desperate attempt by mischief makers to turn facts upside down in their efforts at truncating democracy and good governance in the state and drive a wedge between brothers, all in the name of politics”.

The statement indicated that “the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, in his remarks on behalf of the Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, never disparaged the character, integrity and leadership qualities of his representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, with whom he continues to share a warm and cordial relationship not just politically but as brothers coming from communities that share age-long ancestral affinity.

“The trio: the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikuru, the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, and the Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom, all hail from the same senatorial district. They do not and have never had issues to deal with in the course of their relationship as politicians, as mutual constituents, and as Rivers men. It becomes clear that the publishers of the said story had an agenda to drive a wedge between them.

“In his capacity as the state Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikuru knows that Chief Giadom is the successor to Hon. Dakuku Peterside in the office of commissioner for works. Like everyone else, he knows that Chief Giadom is consolidating on the standards set by Hon. Peterside in terms of transparency, accountability, and due process in managing government business with regards to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of projects in the Ministry of Works, and cannot call that into question or cast aspersion on a legacy mutually achieved by the combined efforts of every member of the Governor Amaechi-led cabinet both in his first and second tenure,” the statement noted.

It further added that “Chief Giadom, at the moment, still consults with Hon. Peterside in the deployment of expertise and implementation of projects with a view to ensure continuity and mainstreaming of the ideals of good governance and best development practices entrenched by the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration in the state since 2007”.

According to the government, “by mixing up issues related to Chief Giadom’s birthday bash in Bera, Gokana Local Government Area of the state, the Hard Truth Newspaper wittingly or unwittingly tried to confuse the people of the state by thresholding every issue in the state in the arena of 2015 politics. The governor has neither discredited any of his men nor has the deputy governor. If anyone has performed well with respect to Governor Amaechi’s efforts at transforming the state, particularly in his first tenure, even the owners of the said tabloid, politics aside, would agree that it is Hon. Dakuku Peterside. He should be left alone”.

The statement stressed “categorically that Engr. Tele Ikuru, at various fora, has stated unambiguously that he is not contesting for any position come 2015, and should be left alone. It is important everyone notes this. If God wants him to go beyond the office he is occupying today, He (God) will make a way. He has advised his supporters and kinsmen in particular to be wary of mischief makers who come in his name to propagate one propaganda or the other, and avoid them.

It cautioned that “the general public has been inundated with efforts by certain politicians to drag the name of the deputy governor into all kinds of issues all in their banal and futile attempts at either discrediting him before his boss, Governor Amaechi, or causing disaffection between him and his peers in the State Executive Council. These puerile efforts have continued to fail and will continue to do so. We therefore urge those behind this drag-him-down campaign to rest their oars and rest awhile.”

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its determination to complete all on-going projects before the expiration of its tenure.

The Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, who disclosed this during the golden jubilee anniversary of Faith Baptist Church, Port Harcourt, said that despite the shortfalls in revenue to the state, the administration will not leave any project uncompleted.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nabbs Inegwu, said what the  administration requires from the church was continuous prayers, noting that the government was satisfied with the church’s involvement in educational programme, as it was in line with the vision of the administration.

While congratulating the church for the golden jubilee, he assured that the government would partner with them in all areas of human endeavour.

Also speaking, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, Dr Dawari George, thanked God for what he is using the church to do to bring people out of darkness into light.

In his sermon, Rev Emiola Mihinlola said that God wants to be exemplary in conduct, preach the gospel as well as help the society to solve some of its problems.

Dr Mihinlola said the church must help in strengthening democratic institutions, stressing that the church must be relevant in finding solution to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

Resident Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Rev Nkem Osuigwe described the celebration as very timely as it marks a fresh start for the church.

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (left) receiving a prize from out-going Captain of Ikeja Golf Club, Wole Sowole during the Ikeja Golf Club Captain’s Day 2014 celebration in Lagos at the weekend

The Andoni local
government council has urged for the inclusion of Andoni in the on-going implementation of the  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland.
The council chairman, Hon. Orom Nte Ereforokama who said this in an interview with newsmen  in Ngo, the council headquarter asserted that  it was no secret that some communities in Andoni were heavily impacted by oil pollution from Ogoniland.
Hon Ereforokuma said that against the background  the UNEP report also mentioned Andoni as one of the polluted areas as a result of oil activities in Ogoniland, nobody is talking about the clean up of Andoni.
He said that the council is of the view that the proposed clean up of Ogoniland should be extended to one area as the report also listed Andoni as one of the polluted areas.
The council chairman said that the administration is working with various agencies to mobilise the people towards regular clean up of their environment, stressing that environmental sanitation exercises are being held regularly across communities in the local government area.
The council boss used the occasion to list some developmental projects being embarked upon by the administration to include, the construction of road from Ngo to the coast, to boost tourism as well as linking of Andoni to the national grid.
He said that the council has slated  for construction, all internal roads in Ngo, Unyeada and other communities while the council is working with the various security agencies to check crime in the area.
Hon. Ereforokuma used the occasion to thank the State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for releasing funds for the completion of the Ogoni Andoni/Opobo Unity road.

Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Labaran-Mallam (middle), with the Management Staff of the Ministry during her assumption of duty in Abuja, recently.

The General Overseer
of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere has joined other eminent Nigerians across the country in calling for the sack of Minister for Interior Hon. Abba Moro and Controller General of Immigration Service, David Paradang over the death of Nigerians during a recruitment exercise.
It would be recalled that, about 19 people were reported death across the country during a recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) last Saturday.
In an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt Apostle Chinyere said that the minister and the Controller General must toe the path of honour by immediately resigning their appointments.
According to him, the death of Nigerians in such controversial circumstances shows that someone has refused to do the right thing, noting that the two officers must either resign or be sacked by president Goodluck Jonathan.
The cleric who regretted the incident, also urged those in positions of authority to always place the interest of Nigerians above personal interest, stressing that something must be done to ensure that the incident does not repeat again.
He used the occasion to condole the families of the deceased and prayed God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest.

A former Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof Sylvanus J.S. Cookey says Nigeria will remain a captive giant until the constitution is reframed to reflect the ethnic diversities of the nation.
Prof Cookey, who said this in a lecture entitled: “The Captive Giant, Nigeria In A Century” as part of activities to mark the 26th convocation ceremony of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, added that the first step in the process of re-examination must begin with the frank and unequivocal acceptance that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state.
“Consequently, its constitution must be framed in such a manner that no ethnic group is placed in a position of permanent dominance over others; each ethnic group is guaranteed justice in the distribution of economic and political power, and each ethnic group is free to develop at its own pace using its natural endowments” he said.
Cookey also said that Nigeria’s practice of presidential system of government has further removed the citizenry from governance, as elected political office holders have been turned into demigods.
“Generally, in practice, the citizen under the presidential system is further removed from governance than under the parliamentary system. Experience has shown that once elected, the chief executive, local government chairman, governor or president retreats from public view, appearing with pomp where and when he chooses and interacting with the electorate only at his pleasure or his own terms”, he said.
The chairman of the convocation lecture, who is also the Head of Service, Rivers State, Barrister Samuel T. LongJohn, described the topic as timely in view of current events in the country.
Barrister LongJohh said that Nigeria must critically look at her own constitution in order to address all forms of imbalances.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Barineme Fakae, said that the convocation, which comes up tomorrow is in strict adherence to Senate approved calendar for the institution.
Prof Fakae said that the university is now one of the best in the country as it was rated the 12th best overall university in Nigeria by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as well as best regional university by the European Union.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST),Hon Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (left) chatting with Vice Chancellor, Prof Barineme Fakae, during the 26th convocation lecture of the institution at the Amphitheater, Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwiveh Donatus Ken

Nigerian youth under
the ages of Grand Visionary Youth  Empowerment Initiative have charged the new Minister of Sports to put in place modalities for full participation of  Nigeria in the up coming World Cup and Commonwealth  games.
At a press briefing in  Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, Chairman  of the Association,  Mr. Osaro Michael, said that Nigeria must not only participate in the events but must win laurels.
According to Mr. Michael, the group  is  ready to work with the minister to mobilise  the entire  youth in the country  towards supporting the policies  and programmes of not only the sports ministry but the  Federal Government.
The association chairman,  who described the sports ministry as very critical to national development, expressed  optimism  that the minister, who had served  as  local  government chairman  and commissioner in Rivers State, would surely bring his wealth  of experience to bear in his new assignment.
He declared that the youths are happy that the  sports ministry is being  supervised by a youthful  minister, stressing  that it now behoves all youth in the  country to support  one  of their  own to enable  him succeed. He pledged the support of the group.
Also speaking, the Akuku Toru  Local Government Co-ordinator of the Association, Mr. Jack Barisoma,  thanked  President  Goodluck Jonathan, for appointing  Dr Danagogo, to serve in the capacity and pledged the  support of youths in the area.

Super Eagles Mikel Obi (10) surrounded by Spanish opponents during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil

The National President
of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Mr Olu Ander Wai Ogosu has called on governments in the country to be more committed towards the provision of clean water to the citizenry.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Mr Ogosu attributed the increasing cases of waterborne diseases in the country to lack of potable drinking water in the country, stressing that governments at all levels must commit sufficient amount of their budgetary provision to the provision of water for their people.
The NES president also decried the proliferation of boreholes in some cities especially Port Harcourt and urged the Rivers State Government to revive the public water works at Benard carr Street, Rumuola and Borikiri to provide clean water for the people.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) has condemned the increasing cases of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
The President of the society Mr Olu Ogosu said that the situation is destroying the Niger Delta environment.
He said that the various security agencies must work together to check the trend, while those involve must look for legitimate means of earning their livelihood.
According to him, apart from the destruction of the environment, illegal oil bunkering is also effecting the economy of the nation.
“Government must look for solution to this problem security, agencies must work together to contain the activities of illegal oil bunkers, he said.

The Ilelema community
in the Asari Toru Local Government Area has threatened a legal suit against the Asari Toru Local Government Council over the ceding of its territories to those he described as strangers from Abonnema in the Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The Asari Toru Local Government Council, had in  a public notice, dated 6th November 2013 called for contributions from the public on the creation of four additional communities in the area.
The four communities included Abbi-Ama, Kieni-Ama, Atuka-Ama and Idiminabo-Ama.
However, the Ilelema community had in series of petitions cautioned the council chairman against the creation of Idiminabo-Ama as the area belongs to Ilelema community.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt of the weekend, the spokesman of Ilelema community, Prince Richardson Richard Sagbe said that the Asalga chairman and his legislative Assembly could not cede their territory to strangers from Abonnema without the consent of their people.
Prince Sagbe said that since the announcement for the proposed creation of the new community, the Ilelema people had not only publicly denounced the move but had met with the council chairman in private to compel him not to create the new community, and wondered why the council chairman went ahead to sign the bill into a by claw against the wishes of the people.
He said that the so called Idiminabo-Ama is a virgin forest that is owned by Ilelema, stressing that the Idimina Lawson Jack family who were given just only two plots by their fore fathers in 1885 for piggery left the place during the civil war and had since not returned.
Prince Sagbe also condemned the circulation of a purported Deed  of Transfer allegedly signed between Ilelema and Chief Idimina Lawson Jack family, in 2009, stressing that the document is not known to his people.
Also speaking, the youth leader of Ilelema, Comrade Ayemonia G. Taylor, said that youths of Ilelema are ready to spill their blood to defend their heritage and urged the council to reverse the law in the interest of peace of the area.

The first phase of the
Franchise Agreement between the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and The Promise Fast Food has generated a profit of N1.5 billion in the last five years.
The agreement signed in 2009 led to the establishments of The Promise Fast Food outlets in Bori,  Omoku, Elele, Eleme and Ahoada.
The Managing Director of Integrated Catering Company Limited, Pastor Oluwatoyin Alabi, who disclosed this at the official signing of the second phase of The Promise Franchise Agreement with RSSDA in Port Harcourt, said that a cursory review of the results of the five outlets, has shown consistent annual profits with cumulative net profit as at December 2013 standing at N225 million, the creation of 200 job opportunities as well as the setting up of SMEs through progressive graduation of 28 beneficiaries with over N74 million start-up capital.
He said that the situation is having a lasting and unquantifiable impact on the livelihood of families, and curbing of youth restiveness due to meaningful engagement of the army of the unemployed in these areas.
Alabi said that it is the expectation of the management of Integrated Catering Company  Limited that the second phase of the agreement with the RSSDA will lead to the establishment of more outlet for the greater reach and good of other communities to increase the gains of the first phase.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Noble Pepple, said that the programme which started in 2009 was in line with the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s pledge to make 147 Rivers youth millionaires.
Pepple said that it was the governor’s vision that has been translated into the Franchise Agreement with The Promise Fast Food.
He said that the five outlets have led to the creation of 35 entrepreneurs in Rivers State, out of which 28 have established their own business, stressing that the scheme will last for ten years.
In their separate speeches, both the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Empowerment and Employment Generation, Mrs Comfort Iragunima and the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Engr Emeka Unachukwu, described the scheme as the best thing that has happened in Rivers State.
The PHCCIMA president on his part said that the chamber will invest in the scheme.

The Rivers State
Government has allocated the sum of $1,110,000 for the implementation of the Technical, Vocational and Agricultural Training (TVAT), of the State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR), project in 2014.
The state Project Co-ordinator, Mr Kelcious Amos disclosed this last Wednesday in Port Harcourt at the SEEFOR TVAT Training on grant management and administration for project implementation committees and school-based management committees in Port Harcourt.
Mr Amos said that the grant will be used for the provision of educational equipment, minor renovation of school buildings, consultancy and administration.
He also said that allocation to each institution under the TVAT sub component is $100,000 – 150,000 per year depending on capacity to implement.
According to him, “the TVAT schools include, the four technical colleges in the state, the government craft development centre, Port Harcourt and the school to land authority,” adding that more schools would be added in due course.
Declaring the programme open the commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, Mr Levi Gogo Charles said that the SEFOR project was conceived by the World Bank and the European Union to enhance opportunities for youth employment and access to socio-economic services as well as improve the public expenditure management system.
The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Promise Njiowhor said that the inauguration marked the beginning towards the effective implementation of the programme in the state.
The commissioner also said that through the SEEFOR project the state government had joined the rest of the world to revive technical and vocational education. He noted that the state government was committed by the implementation of the programme and urged the supervising Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to fast track the accreditation of all related courses in the affected institutions.
Both the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Local Government Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Justinah Jumbo and her Agriculture counterpart, Mrs Otonye Okoye described the programme as one of the best things that had happened to the state stressing that its implementation would create jobs for youths in the state.

Rivers Youths under the
aegis of Grand Visionary Youth Empowerment Initiative have urged delegates to the on-going National Conference to place the issue of environmental degradation of the Niger Delta on the front burner.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state chairman of the Association, Mr Michael Osaro, said that the implementation of several reports on the cleanup of the Niger Delta should be implemented.
According to him, the UNEP report is one of the reports that must be implemented, stressing that Rivers delegates must work as a team to ensure that Federal Government gives adequate attention to issues of environment in the region.
He also said that it was the position of Rivers youths that a proactive measure be taken by the authorities to stem the tide of illegal oil bunkering which has constituted a menace to the Niger Delta environment.
“The youths wish to remind the delegates that implementation of the UNEP report will help to mitigate the impact of pollution on the Ogonis, while modalities be put in place to tackle environmental pollution in the riverine areas of the state,” he said.
Mr Osaro also urged the delegates to canvass for laws that will compel oil companies to take the development of their host communities seriously.
The group also listed other areas to include resource control, derivation principle, revenue allocation and true federalism, while more local government areas be created out of Rivers State.
They commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the convening the national conference.

The Honourable Minister
of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, says world population would increase to 8.3 billion by 2030.
Mrs Ochekpe, who said this at the opening of the national consultation on water in the past 2015 Development Agenda in Abuja also said that land degradation, climate change, population growth and deforestation are capable of threatening sustainable management of water resources in the country.
According to her, this situation has placed pressure on water resources.
“Many water bodies in the country have been polluted at an alarming rate through illegal mining, poor farming practice and dumping of waste and effluents discharge from industries,” she said.
She said that these practice subsequently render the water bodies unsuitable for use.
Ochekpe, who was represented by Mr Effiong Bassey, Head Technical Support Services in the ministry, noted that world population would increase to 8.3 billion people by 2030.
The minister noted that feeding a world of over eight billion people would require a more efficient use of water and urged stakeholders to provide measures for improved management of water resources.
According to her, this is critical to promote water security, peace, stability and prosperity at local and national levels.
Also in his address, Mr Muslim Idris, a representative of the Global Water Partnership Nigeria, said the national consultation was convened given the importance of water to the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“It has become critical that there is an insightful and informative debate on the role of water in the post-2015 development agenda,’’ he said.
In her address, Ms. Oualkacha Laila, a representative of the Africa Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), called for the implementation of the different water commitments in the African region.
Laila cited the ‘Sham el Sheikh’ and ‘Africa Water Vision 2025’ as some of the commitments to be implemented.
She warned that if African governments failed to implement the protocols, it would pose major challenge for the sector.
“What we lack in Africa is implementation; the solution is there, we have a lot of commitments but we need to start implementing them.
“We should adapt the programmes to soothe the locality because what we need in Abuja in terms of water is different from the needs of Addis Ababa,’’ Laila said.
The workshop was aimed at obtaining views from countries on the post- 2015 development for water, to build awareness and examine the country’s relevance and applicability on a dedicated goal for water.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Taye Haruna; Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam and Retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, during the inaugural meeting with officials of T.Y. Holdings Limited and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation on Private Sector Participation in the Management of National Parks in Nigeria in Abuja last Friday. Photo: NAN

About 36 young
Nigerian ladies are currently participating in the audition for the First Lady Reality Show/Pageant Award in some cities across the country.
The audition which started in Port Harcourt from the 2nd to 3rd of April 2014 would move through Calabar, Asaba, Enugu, Aba, Benin, Akure, Osogbo, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Abuja and Kaduna while the grand finale would hold in Lagos on the 16th of May 2014.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Mr Tunde Lawrenson of X Media Communication Limited, said that the event was being put together by Based Water and Royal Salt Limited to provide opportunity for young Nigerian ladies to develop their entrepreneurial skills.
Mr Lawrenson said the winners of the event would go home with various prizes, which include a Mitsubishi Jeep and N4 million for the overall winner, N1 million and a Picanto car for first runners-up, while second winner gets the sum of N500,000.
He said that the 3rd to 10th runners-up would get various professional contracts, while 1st to 10th prize-winners would become brand ambassadors of Royal Salt Limited.
While stressing that the event was not a beauty pageant, Mr Lawrenson stated that it was open to all Nigerian ladies except the pregnant and married ones.
He said that within the period of the programme, participants would be drilled on business and entrepreneurial development at a special session known as the fating room, while a session known as the Board Room would be used to discuss managerial issue.
Mr Lawrenson said that time had come for Nigerian women to break away from self-reliance to self-realisation with the view to contributing towards the development of the society.

Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG), Mr George Feyii (left), Chief of Staff, Sir Tony Okocha (middle), State Head of Service, Barr Samuel Long-John, at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new secretariat complex of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, recently.

The people of Dumo
Ama Community in p Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm over the possible submergence of the community following the on-going dredging activities in the areas by Ms Roudo Nigeria Limited.
The spokesman of the community, Mr Dennis George, who said this in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that the state government must act fast to save Dumo Ama community from sinking, stressing that all efforts to call the company to order had  abortive.
Mr George said that a petition to this effect had been written to the authorities, stressing that no positive result has come out of it.
He also said that the management of Ms Roudo Nigeria Limited had  refused to dialogue with the community on the issue, stressing that no environment impact assessment was carried out before the commencement of the project.
“We want the government to come to the aid of  Dumo Ama, our people are suffering from various ailments as a result of this dredging activities” he said.
The community spokesman also said that the impact of the dredging is affecting buildings and other structures in the community as they are beginning to show signs of cracking.
The community had embarked on a peaceful protest against the management of  Ms Roudo Nigeria Limited over the dredging activities.
Efforts to reach the management of Ms Roudo Limited however proved abortive.

The Rivers State Min
istry of Environment has been urged to extend its activities to some waterfronts in Port Harcourt.
Across section of stakeholders who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that waterfronts need the attention  of the ministry of environment to ensure their sanitisation from unfriendly environmental practices by residents.
According to them most waterfronts in the city have become a haven for illegal bunkering activities, a situation that has become a threat to the peace and stability  of the entire city.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide Mr. Joseph Kpug, a resident of Elechi Beach said that apart from the criminal element which had become the lot of waterfronts, the place was an eyesore.
Mr. Kpagi said that most residents of the waterfronts did not observe sanitation rules and regulations, stressing that faeces are dumped indiscriminately while Indian hemp smokers have free rein in the area.
According to him, this situation is badly affecting the health of the people, a situation that requires urgent attention from the authority.
Also speaking, Mr. Wahua Nhebeka described most of the waterfronts  as very harmful for human habitation stressing that something needs to be done to address the situation.
According to him, officials from the Ministry of Environment need to visit the waterfronts regularly to ensure the cleanliness of the area as diseases could be transmitted to the upland.
Also speaking, Mr Osaro Michael of Grand Visionary Youth Empowerment Initiative of Nigeria, said that measures must be taken to create a conducive environment for waterfront dwellers.
According to him, the large population of people living at the waterfronts must be assisted to overcome the challenges of environmental pollution.

Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority dumpsite at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

L-R: Director, Maritime Services, Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Suleiman Nagogo, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Capt. Adamu Biu and Representative of the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Capt. Bala Agaba, at the Third D-8 Expert Working Group meeting on Shipping in Abuja recently. Photo: NAN

The Rivers State Government has restated its readiness to partner with groups and individuals that  share the vision and aspirations of developing the state.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who stated this during the commissioning of the Destiny Skills Acquisition Centre, Okujugu in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, also cautioned youth in the community against involvement in anti-social activities.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said that it was the responsibility of every individual and group to contribute towards the development of the community.
While blaming the level of decadence in the society on the abdication of responsibilities by individuals, the families and other organizations, the governor said that the activities of Mark of Destiny Mission should serve as an encouragement for all and sundry to play their parts in the development of the community.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has urged the people of Okujagu and Azuabie to resolve never to allow the area to be thrown into crisis.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said that criminality must take the back seat in the area, while the celebration of ill-gotten wealth must stop.
He urged the youth to always respect their elders, adding that the elders on their part should live up to their responsibilities.
In her welcome address, the President, Mark of Destiny Mission, Pastor Bridget Okujagu said that the progamme was aimed at creating opportunities for the youth to acquire skills that would be useful for them in the future.
Pastor Okujagu said that the vision for the skills acquisition centre was given to Mrs Jokotade Adamu, a retired permanent secretary in the state during her National Youth Service days.

The Lucky Worluh foun
dation for the orphans has presented a cheque of N50,000 each to 22 orphans drawn from across the state in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The presentation brings to one hundred the number of orphans who have benefitted so far from the scheme since its inception four years ago.
The initiator of the scheme, Hon. Lucky Worluh, told newsmen during  the programme at the St. Mathew’s Anglican Church Agba Ndele in the Emohua local government area that the programme was to help the orphans to pursue their educational career.
Hon. Worluh, who is Board Member I, Rivers State Universal Basic Education (UBE), said that the foundation considered it necessary to embark on  the programme for the good of the society.
He also said that the programme was in line with the vision of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who had done so much to improve the living condition of the people of Rivers State.
Hon. Worluh listed some of the programmes of the Governor to include, the provision of overseas scholarships to Rivers people, construction of both model  primary and secondary schools across the state, construction of primary health centres as well as roads and electricity in several  parts of the state.
He used the occasion to call on the beneficiaries of the programme to put it into judicious use.
Also speaking, the priest in-change of St Mathew’s Anglican Church Agba Ndele, Rev. Uchenna I Igwe, said that the gesture would help to alleviate the sufferings of orphans in the area.
Rev. Igwe also commendd Hon. Worluh for the gesture and urged other well-meaning indigenes of the area to emulate the example of Hon. Worluh.
Also speaking, the coordinator of the programme, Mr. Godson Egwunwo, also advised beneficiaries to make best use of the scheme.