A university teacher, Dr
Awotein George has advised the Federal Government to re-establish Agricultural Produce Marketing Board in the country.
George, the Head of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt recently.
He said that the board would be beneficial to farmers as prices of farm produce were stable in the 1960’s when the board was operational.
He recalled that the board was saddled with the responsibility of buying up agricultural produce from farmers and sell it  in local and international markets.
He added that the board fixed prices and grades of farm produce, bought and paid farmers according to the grades of their produce.
George explained that the operations of the board did not only stabilise the prices of farm produce but put paid to market glut, especially perishable items.
The university lecturer said that the countrys economy was stronger in the  early 60s when the nation’s foreign earning depended on agriculture.
He noted that all parts of the country had the advantage of producing one crop or the other, adding that the country was blessed.
He said groundnut and cotton were produced in large quantities in the North, palm oil in the East, cocoa in West and rubber in the defunct Mid-West.
The re-establishment of the Marketing Board would save farmers in the country a lot of troubles, he stressed.

The National Union of
Rivers State Students (NURSS) National Secretariat, has described Governor  Nyesom Wike as the most educationally friendly Governor in Nigeria.
The union which said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt said that its rating was based on the Governor’s achievements in education within the past one year in office.
The release, jointly signed by the union’s National President, Dan Jumbo Vincent and the Public Relations Officer, Timi Mbaba particularly commended the Governor for the payment of fees for final year students on RSSDA on overseas scholarship the completion of Law Faculty building in the Rivers State University of Science and technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt and the completion of Iloabuchi- Eagle Island road.
It also commended the governor for the construction of Iwofe road that leads to University of Education, the construction of Alakahia UPTH link road and funding of all academic institutions in the state.
“it is noteworthy to also state that His Excellency has performed exceedingly well in all sectors, despite the paucity of funds in the state coffers.
“This has shown that the Governor is a prudent manager of State resources”, it said.
The  union also applauded the Governor for the series of interactive sessions being organised across the state.

Rivers State Roads Main
tenance Rehabilitation Agency says over 35 roads have been reconstructed in the last four months.
The Chairman of the agency, Chief Okey Okah disclosed this when he was presented with the Award of Excellence by the leadership of Rivers State Independent Publishers (RIVPA) in his office in Port Harcourt recently.
He attributed the achievements recorded so far to the vision and support of the state governor, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, adding that the governor had demonstrated his commitment to the development of the state inspite of the dwindling revenue in the past twelve months.
He thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the state and assured that the agency would discharge its duties effectively.
“I came from a background of entrepreneurship and have been in the business of construction for years, working with serious minded companies like Shell and Daewoo.
I have applied same knowledge as I was given this mandate and this has contributed to the huge success recorded thus far.
Chief Okah thanked RIVPA for the award and assured that the agency would partner with the publishers to deliver on its mandate.
“There is nothing bad in criticising somebody who is not doing well and recognising one that is doing well. My office will always be open for corrections and advice that will impact on the state positively and the country at large. No one person can know it all”, he added.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of RIVPA, Mr Mike Nweze had commended the Chairman of Rivers State Roads Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency for the innovative and creative skills adopted in executing a large number of road projects within four months.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of RIVPA and publisher of Surveillance Newspaper, Chief Monday Wehere said, it was the first time that RIVPA had given an award to a hardworking and well meaning individual in the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikana

The Managing Consultant  of
FrezimasManpower Development and Research Centre (FMDRC), Godfrey Thomas has called on government at all levels to adopt a new pension scheme for its workforce in line with the current economic realities.
Thomas who was speaking at a 2-day seminar with the theme “Pension Fund Scheme and Due Process in Public Procurement” which was held in Port Harcourt recently at the instance of the Local Government Service Commission.
According to him, the Pay-As-You-Go method has failed because it largely depends on statutory allocation which does not come regularly.
He stressed that government should shift from the Pay-As-You-Go method to the new pension schemes that would address the problems faced by retirees.
He explained that the new pension schemes would provide retirees with a means of securing a standard of living reasonably consistent with that their days in service.
Thomas lauded the Local Government Service Commission for its effort at repositioning the Local Government Staff Pension Board in line with global best practices in the management of pension scheme.
Speaking on the topic: “A Practical Approach to The Understanding of Pension Administration Under Pay-As-You-Go”, one of the resource persons, Sir Cletus Idu said at the end the seminar participants were expected to know the importance of Record of Service; Pensionable Service, Deathe Benefits, Gratuity and Pension Computation, Voluntary Retirement, Withdrawal from Service among others.
Another resource person, Sir Promise Njiowhor who spoke on the “Principles of Public Procurement” said the topic was drawn from the Provisions of Public Procurement Act,  2007 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He explained the meaning, attributes and administration of Public Procurement Act.
The seminar was attended by over 200 participants drawn from 23 Local  Government  Councils of the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

The Rivers State Gover
nor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has expressed sadness over the death of Pa Enoch Albert Franklin, the father-in-law of the state Head of Service, Mr Rufus N. Godwins.
Delivering a condolence message in Tombia during the burial of late Pa Franklin, Wike said: “My wife and I were sad to receive the news of the death of Pa Enoch Albert Franklin, the father-in-law of the state Head of Service.
“Although Pa Franklin had his last breath at the age of 83, losing a loved one is always a shocking experience.  Our hearts and prayers are with the Head of Service, his wife and family”, the governor said.
Represented at the burial by the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Herbert Miller Damiete, the governor described the late Pa Franklin as a man of service, and a public servant who served the society diligently.
He said that his death was not only a loss to his immediate family, but the entire state.
In his remarks, the state Head of Service, Mr Rufus Godwins, thanked the governor and the leaders of the state for standing by him and his family in their moment of grief.
The burial was attended by members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries, among other dignitaries.

The Rivers State Govern
ment says Chairmen of the Caretaker Committees of the 23 Local Government Areas have failed in their duties of participating and enforcing environmental sanitation in their respective council areas.
Commissioner for Environment, Professor (Mrs) Roseline Konya said this during an unscheduled visits to Eleme, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas to observe the monthly  sanitation exercise.
Normal market activities were going on at the Eleme Main Market, Nchia when the Commissioner and her team arrived the area. Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Eleme, Hon Johnson Nworgu who arrived the market later told the commissioner that the market women who displayed their wares during the sanitation exercise were non-indigenes from Aba.
Similar situation was also observed at the Rumuodumanya Market in Obio/Akpor, while at  Rumuokoro, some young men were seen evacuating refuse from the drainage system.
Addressing newsmen later, Professor Konya said that the council chairmen had failed in their duties of encouraging participation in sanitation exercise.
The commissioner who described environmental sanitation as the responsibility of local government councils said that the Ministry of Environment would invite all the council chairmen to a meeting to chart a way forward.
Professor Konya also announced a special reward for the young men who were seen evacuating refuse at Rumuokoro and used the occasion to warn refuse contractors against extortion of money from the public.
On the issue of noise pollution, Konya said that a committee had been set up to address that problem, saying that the required decibel is 60 to 70 as far as noise is concerned.

The Rivers State
Police Command now has a new spokesperson.
He is Omom Nnamdi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who replaces the out-gone Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Mohammed who was redeployed to the Adamawa State Police Command.
Before his transfer, DSP Ahmad was promoted to the ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) during the last promotion exercise.
A statement issued by the former PPRO said that the posting was a normal and routine exercise in the force and urged members of the society especially the media to extend their hand of fellowship to his successor to enable him succeed.

A socio-cultural group in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Opiro Noble Youths Association (ONYA), has appealed to the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to complete the abandoned Egwi-Opiro-Nihi road in the area.
The group in a statement signed by its President, Amadi Chukwumaka and the Secretary, Jeremiah Nwankwukwu said the road was abandoned by the past administration, pointing out that its completion would help boost economic activities in the areas as well as ease transportation.
It expressed satisfaction with the on going reconstruction of the Igwuruta-Chokocho-Etche road, saying that the project had given the people a sense of belonging.
The Youth group lauded the state governor on his numerous achievements in the past one year, stressing that the people of Etche ethnic nationality were proud of the present administration.
They also commended Governor Wike for appointing Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi as Commissioner for Employment and Empowerment Generation, and other sons and daughters of Etche into position of trust in his administration and assured him that the appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Collins Barasimeye

The Caretaker
Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Gbara Edman Erelo, has banned street trading in major streets of Bori, the local government headquarters.
The Chairman further directed restrictions on road trading, loading of cars and motorcycles directly on the road, which obstructed free flow of traffic on the roads and streets, especially Hospital Road and Monsi Street, Bori.
Issuing the order during a visit to the Bori Central Market recently, the Chairman decried the way and manner Bori was being turned into a slum due to indiscriminate trading, hawking and displaying of wares on the roads.
The Chairman regretted that traders, rather than make use of the Bori Central Market, had abandoned it in preference to selling their wares on the streets, adding that the action was causing both social and environmental problems in the city.
He said the ban is with immediate effect, warning that anyone caught contravening the order would be arrested and prosecuted under the relevant laws.
The Khana CTC boss said the action of the council was tailored to give a facelift to the local government headquarters, and enjoined the traders to cooperate with the council and desist from trading on the streets.
Hon. Erelo said the measure was part of the council’s resolve to sanitize and restore the urban status of Bori, and solicited cooperation of the traders to achieve the goal.
The Khana CTC Chairman urged the traders as well as residents of Bori, to see themselves as partners in progress with the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The Rivers State Govern
ment has restated its commitment in providing the youths with marketable skill  that will make them sel-reliance.
Speaking during a youth capacity empowerment programme organised by Youth Focus Centre (YFC) in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Ogbobula U. Princewill said the New Rivers Vision of the state governor , Chief Nyesom Wike envisaged making the youths entrepreneurs.
The commissioner who was represented by the Director of Enterprise and Promotion, Mr Bogba Christian said the governor’s aim to raise capable and responsible youths that the fortunes and wellbeing of the state would be safely entrusted into their care.
“A society that allows its youths to be consumed and destroyed by hard drugs and other social vices has no reason to expect such youths  to become leaders of tomorrow”, he said.
Christian further urged the youths to cultivate new values, attitude and mindset that would pattern their thoughts and vision into the New Rivers Vision.
Also speaking, the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Rivers State, Mr Oliver Wolugbom  stressed the need for youths to acquire entrepreneurial  skills.
According to him, such skills will help the youths to be creators of wealth and also help them discover their potentials.
“If entrepreneurial skills are embraced, they will help reduce the level of unemployment, which will consequently reduce poverty, help restore peace and stability,” he said.
In his speech, the coordinator of Youth Focus Centre (YFC), Mr Ogbonda Ndubusi reiterated the importance of skills acquistition saying the organsiation is centered on youth development and empowerment through leadership training and orientation on environment  security and peace.

Iragunima Benice

The Rivers State Chief Judge,
Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra has called on the magistrates in the state to adhere to their oath of office and code of conduct for judicial officers, in the discharge of their duties.
Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra made this call while declaring opening a 2-day in-house workshop organised for  magistrates by the state judiciary in Port Harcourt.
The two days workshop which has the theme: “Promoting the Performance of Magistrates” was organsied against the background of factors and emerging events in the magistracy in the state was geared towards drawing focus on enhancing the quality of justice delivery in the magistrates’ courts by the average magistrate striving for promotion of judicial performance through the knowledge and application of current trends  in law.
The state chief judge stated that the negative effects of poor performance by public officers and accusations of corruption in the country had become daily news, adding that the judiciary had been judged harshly as a result of some of these cases being tried in the court of law.
She warned that under her watch as the head of the judiciary in the state, there would be zero-tolerance for poor performance, dereliction of duty and corruption in the judiciary. “I enjoin all of you to adhere to your oath of office and code of conduct for judicial officers, 2003” she added.
According to her,” in order to sustain public confidence in the judicial process and in our judiciary, magistrates must live above board, strive for effective and efficient, performance of judicial duties and shun corrupt practices and misconduct to avoid sanctions for violation”.

The Rivers State Government
has charged teachers at Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom, Obio//Akpor Local Government Area, to ensure the well being and safety of students under their care in order to turn out responsible citizens to fast track the development of the state and nation.
The Commissioner for Education, Hon Kaniye Ebeku, who gave the advise in his address at the flag-off of the presentation of 20,000 Customised 80-Leave Exercise Books and writing pens to public schools in the state by the Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and CBOs (CCNCC) for Wike 2015 general elections, last Wednesday.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Basic/Teachers Education, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Melekele Ntehue Jacob, said he was encouraged by the good work and noble gesture of CCNCC to encourage and restore the reading culture into the pupils of public schools, noting that the kind gesture would impact positively and make beneficiaries future leaders of the state and nation.
In his address, President of CCNCC, Christian Obi, said: “the flag-off ceremony is in commemoration of Governor Nyesom Wike’s one-year in office and achievements recorded thus far”, noting that the gesture would further enhance the reading culture in the lives of students.
“It is the first of its kind in Nigeria, the flag-off of 20,000 notebooks in partnership with the Rivers State Governor and his team, as a mark of appreciation for their efforts in developing and making the state peaceful, which all of us have witnessed in the past one year”, Obi said.
He added that their choice of the school in Rumuepirikom, to kick-start the programme in was a careful decision made by all members of the over 68 NGOs, and hoped that it would help improve academic excellence in the school.
He further noted that the notebooks were meant for the first best 20 pupils from Junior Secondary School 1A-E, and advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the books.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Nigerians have been ad
vised  to have  faith and trust in God, in order to have victory over the prevailing harsh economy and political  situation in the country.
The General Overseer of the Foundation Faith Church, Bishop Sam Amaga, gave this advice when  he spoke with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
The Bishop, who was in the state for an episcopal  visit, said that the only antidote to survive  the looming economic  and political ups and downs in the country is  for Nigerians to have total faith and confidence  in the God.
Bishop Amaga admitted the fact that the country was passing through a trial period and challenges but added that there was nothing impossible for God to do or change especially for those  who believed in Him.
The church leader advised Christians and Nigerians in general, not to panic  but to pray to God for  a miracle that would bring about better days ahead.
There will always be light and victory after darkness for those who wait and trust God”, he advised further.
Bishop Amaga called on the churches in Nigeria  to rise  up, watch and pray for Nigeria, and her leadership saying the churches  have a duty to intercede in prayers for Nigeria to take her rightful place in the comity of nations.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed with both human and material resources, but needs  God-fearing and good leaders to move her forward.
“We therefore must continue to watch and pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding of what to do at all times, by her leaders”, he said.

A female  activist and cru
sader for equal rights for all children, Ms Edit Owotor, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the people-oriented programme of the state government to excel in any trade of their choice.
Towards this end, Ms Owotor said, it would be self-defeatism for youths to continue to engage in crimes such as kidnapping, robbery and cultism which would not only bring scorn to them but also destroy their brighter future.
Ms Owotor, who is also the Chief Protocol Officer to the Ahoada East Council Caretaker Committee, who spoke to journalists in her office, blamed the society for creating so many obstacles to development of the youths.
She enjoined all tiers of government to roll out programmes that would bring out the best of the youths instead of making them prospective deviants.
On insecurity, she commended the Council’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Britain Ewoh, for restoring peace in Ahoada metropolis, and other surrounding communities.
“Ahoada residents can tell you their experiences before the chairman came on board. Unlike before they can now sleep with both eyes closed”.
“Before now, people were, running out of Ahoada town, traders and hoteliers were closing shops, wealthy men were on their toes, but these are gradually becoming history”.
According to her,  what the government at the state and the local government need to do for the citizens is to show  understanding of the challenges posed by the present economic realities for them to achieve dividends of  democracy.
“So far, Governor Wike has performed beyond expectations in view of numerous challenges facing”.
She, therefore expressed optimism that when the economy of the state improves, a lot of achievement that would surpass that of the previous administrations in the state would be recorded, and pleaded with people of Rivers State to be supportive of the administration.

The Rivers State Council
of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Rivers State Government, especially the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, to take urgent steps to check the influx of destitutes into the state.
Chairman of NUJ in the state, Comrade Omoni Ayo-Tamuno made the call when the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Damiete Miller Herbert, paid a courtesy call on the executives of the union at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt.
Ayo-Tamuno, who urged the ministry to partner with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to check the movement of destitutes into Port Harcourt, also advocated for a law to that effect.
“You see our streets today are littered with destitutes; it is like Port  Harcourt is a dumping ground for destitutes. Let me inform you that the railway service has started; most times they come through the railway. That means you have more challenges.
“The railway is less expensive and they don’t even pay transportand before you  now know it they are in Port Harcourt. They have become a problem to government and the society.
“So, I want you to look at that aspect and you are going to work closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to see how the influx of these destitutes can be checked. Laws are needed; you need to come out with laws that check this kind of things.”
Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Damiete Miller Herbert, pleaded with the state council of the NUJ to find ways to assist the ministry in the area of dissemination of information through the various media outfits in the state.
He said, “We are here to plead with the NUJ to see how you assist us in relaying our messages to the public. We want you to partner with the state government in that direction.”

The Rivers State Governor,
Chief Nyesom Wike has directed security agencies to ensure that there is no hiding place for cultists and other criminal elements operating in the state.
The governor gave the directive while monitoring the demolition of illegal structures along Eagle Island road that served as hideouts for criminals.
He reiterated government’s resolved to rid the state of cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers, stressing that his government would not tolerate criminal activities in the state.
Similarly, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Sir Sonny Ejekwu said he would carry out to the letter the governor’s directive on the demolition of hide-outs for criminals within Port Harcourt metropolis.
The Mayor who was speaking while monitoring the demolition of illegal structures at Eagle Island yesterday assured residents of the state of government’s commitment to weed out criminal elements.
“All the batcher houses must be brought down as armed robbers, Kidnappers, cultists use places like waterfront batcher –houses to perpetrate more evil.  And the most annoying aspect of it is that they are being covered by some innocent occupants of these batcher-houses, forgetting that when oil stains one finger if nothing is done, it spreads to other fingers.
‘This is exactly what is happening to the occupants of the batcher-houses in Eagle Island, back of water board, back of Andoni waterfront and so on.
“Today all the batcher houses within these place must be brought down and burnt to ashes,”, he said.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide, one of the occupants of the demolished structures, Mr Kesuanu Gbara expressed dissatisfaction with the criminal acts that were perpetrated at the Eagle Island waterfront.
We don’t blame the governor for the destruction of the batcher-houses, because so many atrocities go on in this place and sometimes if you report to the police, they (criminals) would come after your life”, he said.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

The Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Hon Chinyere Igwe has enjoined Community Development Chairmen and Leaders in Rivers State to work as a team in order to attract investors to the state.
Hon Igwe was speaking during a meeting with chairmen and representatives of various communities in the state recently.
In a press release issued by the Press Officer in charge of Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning Priscilia Okere, the commissioner reiterated the need for peace and urged them to create enabling environment for job opportunities.
Also speaking, the commissioner for chieftaincy Affairs, Dr John Bazia enjoined the community leaders to carry their people along and ensure peaceful co-existence among the residents of the state.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dirokweni Joseph Amiofori emphasised  on orderliness saying “if we are orderly we can attract investors and compel them to open doors for employment”.
The Community leaders unanimously expressed gratitude for the opportunity granted them to engage government on pressing issues and promised to sensitise their communities accordingly.

Parents and guardians of stu
dents of secondary schools in some communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have continued to express excitement and gladness about one week after the donation of more than 20,000 customised exercise books for the use of their children and wards by Coalition of Concerned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) (CCNCC) for Wike 2015 General Elections in the state.
Among those eulogising the gesture are parents and guardians of the 20 best students in each of the junior school cadre in JS1-3, including Clinton Success Ezeugo, Godwin Sunday, Innocent Gold, Emezue Victoria’s, as well as the paramount ruler of Rumuepirikom community, Eze Barry Amaewhule Opara Owabie.
It would be recalled that the CCNCC, last Wednesday, handed over the first batch of 20,000 customised notebooks as part of the celebration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s one year in office, to Community Secondary School, Rumuepirikom.
Speaking to The Tide in an interview, Owabie said, the gesture was the first of its kind in the community in many decades, and praised the commitment of the group in assisting the government’s efforts to advance academic excellence in the state.
The paramount ruler, who spoke through the community’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Chizzy Egwurugwu, said the people of the area were very happy that the NGOs were encouraging the young ones to take their studies seriously through the book donation, and urged other organisations, philanthropic bodies and individuals as well as corporate citizens to emulate the kind gesture of the CCNCC in efforts to make the state more educationally advanced and stable in the country.
Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs Nsirim Gladys, had said since the school started in 2007, this was the first time it was being supported by private groups to advance the education of the children through strategic book donation.
She commended CCNCC for presenting the free 80-leaf notebooks to students of the school, adding that both the students and the more than 108 teachers in the school would benefit from the donation.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal, Mr Barnabas Ogbonka, who rolled out the names of the best performing students of the school, promised not only to put the books into good use, but to also ensure that the donation spurs the students to do better in their academic pursuits and not disappoint their parents, the government and the donors of the books.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide, Vice President, CCNCC, Dr Obot Gideon Daniel, said the donation was a dream come true, and challenged other groups to identify with the Wike administration’s dogged efforts to take education in the state to the next level.
Also, the Public Relations Officer, CCNCC, Comrade Rowland Rafael, revealed that the donation, which kick-started at the school in Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor, would soon be extended to other schools in the state.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Piqued by the moral
decadence in our society, a soco-cultural organisation known as the Okporowo People’s Assembly (OPA) in Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has promised to begin a reorientation programme that would fastrack the development of the area.
The chairman of the group, Barr Endwell Orlu-Akwu disclosed this during the inauguration of the body at  Okporowo-Ogbakiri recently.
Barr Orlu-Akwu stated that the three point agenda of the OPA under his watch would centre on re-orientation, peaceful co-existence and image rebranding, adding that the new executive of the OPA was committed to rapid development of the area.
“This assembly will do by reorientation and redirection of the energies of the youths to productive ventures through capacity building and community empowerment programmes”.
“It will support all government programmes and policies in the direction and also bring the Okporowo Ogbakiri youth into the mainstream of state, national and international youth development activities instead of limiting themselves to our local environment”.
The chairman also said that the organisation would build synergy with other stakeholders in the clan to ensure peaceful co-existence of Okporowo people and their sister communities adding that OPA would propose a joint consultative forum for conflict prevention, management and resolution in Ogbakiri.
Barr Orlu-Akwu opined that he will work with the media in order to dispel all negative perceptions people have about the area adding that such effort would enable the public know more about the area.
He used the opportunity to express appreciation to the people for the confidence reposed in the new leadership of OPA and solicited for their continued support.
Inaugurating the executive committee, Okporowo Peoples’ Assembly, (OPA) Barr Franklin P. Ajinwo charged them to build on the existing peaceful atmosphere in the town by bridging the gap between the youths and leaders of the community for the development of the area.
He further charged them to liaise with the law-enforcement agencies to guard against the breakdown of law and order.

The people of Rumuola
Clan in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have applauded the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for upgrading the College of Arts and Science to a Polytechnic.
Speaking with newsmen in his palace recently, the clan paramount Ruler of Rumuola, Eze Oziri .C. Oziri, Ohia Che-eni II, said that the past government in the state failed to do so and reiterated his people’s support to the present administration.
He commended the Governor for the commitment to eliminate illiteracy in the state by ensuring that education was given a boost.
He also urged the governor to make facilities available to the polytechnic to merit its status, adding that Rumuola people were grateful to him and the House of Assembly.
The monarch, who also commended the governor for his fight against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other vices, urged him not to relent in his effort in fighting criminality in the state.
He hinted that his people had instituted a security network in a bid to check criminality and commended the security agencies in the state for their cooperation.
Eze Oziri enjoined other communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to tackle cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping in order to attract investors to the area and create employment opportunities for their people.
According to him, such moves will settle the issue of unemployment in the area and other parts of the state.
The monarch also appealed to misguided youths to lay down their arms, and embrace the Governor’s offer of amnesty.