ELVIRA’S PEN

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Opobo/Nkoro Chairman Hails King Jaja’s Coronation, Seeks Tourism, Investment Boost

The Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. James A. James, has described the coronation of King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as a historic event and a new beginning for Opobo Kingdom. Speaking in an interview after the coronation ceremony, James said the occasion was particularly significant because an Nkoro indigene was among those who supported and participated in the historic event. The council chairman said the coronation had generated excitement across Opobo/Nkoro, describing the traditional institution as a symbol of unity and peace that brings the people together. He expressed optimism that a strong traditional institution would contribute to the development of the kingdom and create new opportunities for the people of Opobo/Nkoro. James also called on the new monarch to build partnerships with the Federal, State and Local Governments to attract investment and unlock Opobo’s tourism potential. He said Opobo’s historical and architectural heritage could a...

TB Network Raises Concern Over PHC Erema Infrastructure, NIN Barrier in ONELGA

The State Advocacy Team of the TB Network–Rivers has raised concerns over infrastructure challenges at the Primary Health Centre, PHC Erema, and barriers to National Identification Number, NIN, registration affecting access to the Rivers State Contributory Health Insurance Programme, RIVCHIPP, in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA. The concerns were raised during an advocacy visit by the team to the Medical Officer of Health, ONELGA, Dr Emmanuel Pelebo, where the group discussed gaps in health-service delivery and ways to improve community access to health insurance services. The advocacy team highlighted the dilapidated roof at PHC Erema and the absence of an adequate client convenience facility as major infrastructure concerns. Speaking during the visit, State Coordinator of TB Network–Rivers, Mr Messiah Fyneface Muzan, said the condition of the facility could affect the safety, comfort and quality of healthcare services provided to residents. He also noted that the abse...

RIVERS MOVES TO UNIFY GBV RESPONSE ACROSS STATE

The Rivers State Government is moving to establish a unified system for tackling gender-based violence, with plans to develop a Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, to coordinate prevention and response efforts across the state. The initiative, led by the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, is expected to clearly define the roles of government agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders involved in GBV response. Speaking at a fact-finding meeting organised by CEHRD and the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, said the SOP would reduce duplication of efforts and ensure survivors receive timely and appropriate support. Davies-Dimkpa called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, stressing that a coordinated approach would improve the fight against gender-based violence. She also urge...

Stakeholders Call for Preservation of Indigenous Languages to Advance Environmental Justice

The call to preserve and revive indigenous languages as repositories of cultural wisdom and tools for addressing environmental challenges took centre stage at the 2026 Wisdom Gathering Session held in Kaani, Ogoni, Rivers State. The gathering, organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in collaboration with Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative (MEDI), brought together stakeholders to examine the role of language and indigenous philosophies in advancing socio-ecological justice. Speaking at the session, Executive Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, linked the loss of indigenous knowledge and the persistence of environmental injustice in the Niger Delta to the manipulation and erosion of language. Bassey said, “All the environmental injustice meted out on the people of Niger Delta have been achieved through the manipulation of language to confuse the common people and sell false solutions to them.” He urged participants, particularly young people, to return to the...

Bonny Lawyers Demand Accountability Over Gas-Flare Penalties, Seek Federal Medical Centre

The Bonny Lawyers’ Forum has demanded a transparent account of gas-flaring penalties applicable to petroleum operations affecting Bonny Kingdom, insisting that funds collected under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, should translate into environmental remediation and meaningful relief for affected host communities. The Forum also called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Bonny Kingdom as a sustainable medical-relief intervention for communities living within the petroleum-producing and industrial environment. The position was contained in a statement by the Bonny Lawyers’ Forum signed by its Chairman, Pepple Victor Frederic , which commended the member of the House of Representatives representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Hon. Cyril Hart, for bringing the issue of the application of gas-flaring penalties for the benefit of affected host communities to public attention. The Forum said the matter should be examined from the perspective of environmental jus...