Port Harcourt Mundial

By Paul Williams The Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), Chemist Akwaowo Reuben Idongesit, has received the Most Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar, in recognition of his professional excellence, leadership and contributions to the Chemistry profession.  The award was presented on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the Department's Chemistry Memorial Day celebration at the Senate Chambers of the University of Calabar.  It represents the Department's highest honour, recognising alumni whose professional accomplishments, leadership and commitment to excellence reflect positively on their alma mater.  The event was held under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Etanga Offiong, with Prof. Grace Ekpenyong Iniama, Head of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemi...

By Lanre Olagunju At 96, Dame Stella Obuoforibo Okuyiga has found a way to outlive herself. Not through science or medicine, but through her book.  At the launch of The Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force, the retired Deputy Commissioner of Police expressed excitement at the thought of her book living on in libraries across the world. Even when she is gone, she hopes her story will continue to speak.  On October 13, in Port Harcourt, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Inspector-General of Police, joined her in preserving that history. His presence as chief launcher was more than a gesture of respect. It was an opportunity for the Nigeria Police Force to confront a fundamental question: how well does an institution remember those who made its progress possible?  In 1955, the first 20 women joined the Force at a time when policing offered women limited opportunities. They entered unfamiliar territo...

By Constance Meju (National Point ) Participants at the Gelegel training for farmers on Organic Fertilizer and Pesticide Production As campaigns for smarter agricultural practices with more nature friendly options grow, over 60 smallholder farmers in Gelegele community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, were on Tuesday, April 28, trained on how to produce biofertilizers and biopesticides for use in their farms. The practical step-down agroecology training, which took place in a farm site, was facilitated by Gbolekekro Women Empowerment and Development Organization (GWEDO) in collaboration with the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF). Executive Director of GWEDO, Cynthia Bulubiere Bright, said the decision to train the farmers using organic “materials that are available in our society,” rather than inorganic, was to create awareness that nature is best and has less unhealthy consequences. Environmental Scientist, Cynthia Buluebiere Bright, who f...

. .. to Ask INEC to Conduct Elections within 90 Days By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt The Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday declared the seats of 4 members of the House vacant for breaching the provision of the 1999 constitution on absention from plenary. The affected members are Edison Ehie, currently chief of staff to the state governor, Victor Oko-Jumbo, current factional speaker of the Assembly, Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha and Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada East II, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro and Ahoada West constituencies respectively. Ehie served briefly as factional speaker of the Rivers Assembly and was the one who declared the seats of Amaewhule and his group of other 26 members vacant after they announced their now controversial defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress, (APC). He later resigned his membership of the Assembly to serve as Chief of staff to Governor Sim...

... as 80 Women test Positive to Benzene in Otuabagi Community By Kelechi Nwaucha Women from communities in the Niger Delta have dragged international oil companies, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total E&P and Agip Oil Company, before an Environmental Tribunal, sitting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, accusing the multinationals of gross environmental degradation and destruction of their ecosystem. This was as report indicate "serious cases of benzene accumulation" among women living in Otuabagi, the first oil-bearing community in Nigeria, with 80 of those sampled testing positive to the existence of the carcinogen in their blood. Laying their complaints before a 'Mock Environmental Tribunal,' organised by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, with support from WoMin African Alliance, Niger Delta women from Okwuzi, Eleme, Rumuekpe (in Rivers State) and Otuabagi (in Ogbia, Bayelsa State) presented a long list of woe...

By Kelechi Nwaucha Women in the Niger Delta have commended the House of Representatives over its decision on the controversial divestment of onshore holdings by oil multinationals. The House of Representatives had passed a resolution against granting of consent, by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to divesting International Oil Companies (IOCs) until there is full compliance with the guidelines for decommissioning and the regulations made under the Petroleum Industry Act. In a statement on behalf of oil-impacted community women in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and others in the region on Thursday, executive director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, said the Niger Delta commends the House of Representatives, especially the Committee on Environment, "for heeding to the voices of Niger Delta Women, by speaking up against the illegal divestment without proper consultation with the communities and full restoratio...

By Godwin Chukwumaechi The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has faulted what it described as the misrepresentation of the ongoing process for the return oil exploration in Ogoni to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing persons with selfish motives of falsely presenting themselves as the drivers of the process. Factional MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, who made the allegation in a statement after the group's emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, described the action as economic sabotage, accusing the representatives as impersonators. He said that some of the persons who claimed to represent the Ogoni people in a meeting held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 with the President in Abuja, lack the mandate of the Ogoni people. He described those who claimed to represent the Ogoni people as paid chiefs driven by selfish interests, which contradicts the expectations of the Ogoni people on the development aspect of oil resumption. "MOSOP wants to emphatically state th...

By Kelechi Nwaucha For over 50 years of oil exploration in Nigeria, more than 1.5 million tons of crude oil were spilled in the Niger Delta, leading to biodiversity loss, health crisis among the region's over 30 million inhabitants, socio-economic tensions and an environment severely damaged. Of note, however, is the growing threat in the mining sector, and it's likely impact on mining host communities. Following an over 30% spike in mining activities, in Nigeria's quest to diversify revenue earnings from oil, host communities in the mining sector and their environment have began to show early signs of repeating the Niger Delta scenario. A situation that has seen mining communities in Nassarawa, Niger, Kogi and others record incidents of land degradation, water and soil pollution, lead poisoning (and blindness), among others. These informed a training for journalists, drawn from various media and states across Nigeria, held in Abuja on May 9, essentially to create awaren...

By Kelechi Nwaucha Despite the devastation brought on the Niger Delta environment by decades of oil exploration activities, mangroves remain effective natural defense against climate change manifestations in the region. According to research findings, mangroves, indigenous to the Niger Delta, "are one of nature's most effective tools in the fight against climate change," and contribute to the promotion of a sustainable ecosystem. Against this backdrop, non-governmental organisation, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, with support from Both ENDS, recently embarked on the regeneration of 5,000 propagules (mangrove seedlings) in five riverine communities. The project, which began with the regeneration of 1,000 propagules in Ibaka community, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, last Friday, is to traverse four other riverine communities, that include Bundu (Port Harcourt City LGA), Rumulumini (Obio//Akpor LGA) and Bodo (Gokana LGA). Project off...

The saying that a golden fish has no hiding place played out recently as Engr Adokiye Tombomieye was honored with an award for his meritorious service to the nation and humanity by the umbrella media body in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Media Forum (NDMF). According to president of the NDMF, Prince Gbasam, Engr Tombomieye was honored in recognition for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the development to the oil and gas industry as well as support to the less privileged in the society through several empowerment and employment opportunities which have improved the economic status of several families and homes in the Niger Delta and the nation. "It is gratifying to note that the award recipient who bestride the oil and gas industry like a colossus where he left indelible footprints and retired as executive Vice President, Upstream, in the Nigeria National Petroleum Company limited without blemish, is no doubt a role model to the younger generation in the Nig...

A business mogul, Ofirima Adieleuwa C. Allison, has called on Niger Delta people to close ranks and support the "lofty initiatives of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr.Samuel Ogbuku, so as to fastrack development in the area." Ofirima stated this recently, while speaking with journalists at his country home. He said that words are inadequate to describe the qualities of the administrator who is "exceptional and unique in the history of the interventionist agency through his sound policies and programmes." Ofirima maintained that Dr. Ogbuku is focused and a result-oriented administrator with unparalleled pedigree, noting that his purposeful agenda in repositioning the agency will be achieved. Read more: https://phmundial.com/nddc-boss-a-trailblazer-ofirima/

By Kelechi Nwaucha - Against the backdrop of worsening Environmental crisis in the Niger Delta, occasioned by decades of oil exploration activities, environmental rights groups have intensified calls for urgent remediation measures and environmental justice in the embattled region. According to a United Nations report, life expectancy has dropped to 45 years in the region as a result of the hydrocarbons released into the water, air and soil pollution, with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other IOCs roundly accused by locals and NGOs of leading an "environmental assault" on the Niger Delta. Thus taking an advantage of the World Press Freedom Day last Friday, leading non-governmental organization in region, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center, drew media attention to the harrowing cases of environmental injustice against communities and persons in Rivers State and the Niger Delta. Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and...

By Godwin Chukwumaechi - Even as the dust continues to settle over events leading to the last days of the Dr Goodluck Jonathan presidency, former minister of Sports and Youth Development in the administration, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that the former president was neither weak nor clueless. Dr Jonathan, who has been roundly criticised as weak and clueless during his reign (2010-2015), lost the 2015 presidential election to former President Muhammadu Buhari. Abdullahi made the assertion in Port Harcourt at the weekend while presenting his book, 'On A Platter Of Gold - How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria,' at the first book reading event tagged August Meeting held in the Rivers State capital. The former minister who also served as the national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (2016-2018), disagreed with the widely held claims that the former President was weak and clueless, but rather described him as a patriot. Read more: https://phmundial.com/jon...

… Allegations are False, Baseless ~ Contractors By Emma Sunday Host communities of Oil Mining Lease (OML 11) along the Imo River axis, cutting across Rivers and Abia states have accused Martinsevid Nigeria Limited, the contractor providing surveillance services for the crude oil pipeline of abetting illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft. The communities which include, Isietitioha, Umuorie town, Isimiri autonomous community, Owaza clan in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and Umuedeokwara community, Odagwe in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the Federal Government and the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to immediately replace the contractor for gross incompetence. Speaking on behalf of the Owaza people, the King of Isietitioha Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, His Royal Highness, Eze Christian Ikemefula, lamented the proliferation of illegal oil bunkering in his area, saying the development indicated gross...

... TUC, NLC, 'Toothless Bulldogs' By Mandy Tina A leading member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Dr Joseph Obele, says the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery failed under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration due to lack of funding and commitment. Obele who is also an Energy expert claimed that President Buhari, and his minister of state for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva were benefiting from buying at the international market at the detriment of the nation owned refineries. Speaking on the threat made by NLC and TUC for the Port Harcourt refinery to commence operations by latest March ending 2024, he said it's an empty threat, while describing the unions as toothless bulldogs. "Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade union Congress are toothless bulldogs. Nigerians don't trust them anymore. The Energy expert also pointed out that the current fuel scarcity across the nation is caused by importation of PMS at a high. "I...

  By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide says “after a critical evaluation of the state of things bedeviling the Ijaw people and Nigerians in general,” it may “lead a massive protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the deteriorating state of things faced by the Ijaw people and Nigerians in general.”  According a press statement signed by IYC spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill said, “the decision to embark on this looming mother of all protest in the Niger Delta was taken after a due consultation with critical Ijaw stakeholders and after analysing the unfriendly policies of the Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria and its inimical political attitude towards the Ijaw people, we have come to the resolution that shutting down the country is the only available option left.  “We are using this medium to inform our few Ijaw sons in the Tinubu Government that they should not be surprised to see thousands of Ijaw people storming the streets in demand fo...

By Emma Sunday As the economic hardship in the country bits harder on the citizens, some Nigerian parents are now devising means, legal or illegal, to raise funds to feed their families. This is just as a young woman (name withheld) attempted selling her 5 year old son for an undisclosed amount at the ever busy Mile 3 market, by Bishop Okoye street in Port Harcourt City LGA. The incident we gathered, played out at about 3:40pm last Saturday, as customers and traders surrounded the woman with amazement. The woman alleged that hunger and economic hardship forced her to take the decision to sell her child, in order to raise money to buy food items for the family. Former Vice Chairman, Goat Meat Sellers Association, Bishop Okoye branch, Mr. Nelson Tasie, who witnessed the scene told newsmen that said the woman (name withheld), decried that life was very difficult for her and she can no longer take care of herself let alone the child that is why she opted to sell him. When contacted...

Non-governmental organization, Connected Development, CODE’s FOI Coalition Team has paid an advocacy visit to the Rivers State commissioner for Health, Mrs Adaeze Oreh, in a bid to “strengthen collaboration in order to drive the FOI legislation at the Rivers State House of Assembly.” According to the Coalition Team Lead, Mr. Charles Timothy Uffort, CODE is implementing Power of Voices Fair4All Project with support from OXFAM Nigeria in the State. Of which one of it’s objective seeks to advocate for the domestication of the Freedom of Information ACT to enhance access to information by it’s citizen. He mentioned that the visit also sought to identify the measures being put in place by the state government for community members to access health facilities in their locality, as well as submit CODE’s Advocacy Brief on findings the non-governmental organization carried out in communities. Our reporter gathered that the commissioner for Health, Mrs Adaeze Oreh, thanked the team for the vis...

By Emma Ovundah The incumbent governor of Bayelsa State, and governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Douye Diri has been declared winner of the just concluded November 11 governorship election in the state. Returning Officer for the Bayelsa State governorship election, Prof. Kuta Farouk, made the declaration on Monday evening at the INEC headquarters in Yenagoa. Our correspondent reports that Douye Diri, who contested the November 11, 2023 election against 16 other candidates, won 6 out of 8 local government areas of the state with 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who got 110,108 votes, while Labour Party's Udengs Eradiri came third with 905 votes. Read more: https://phmundial.com/bayelsa-diri-wins-re-election-with-175196-votes/

By Paul Williams In spite an increasing rise in voter apathy and worry over future elections in Nigeria, leading election monitoring group, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), says it is committed to promoting a culture of free, fair and credible polls in the country. This, according to TMG’s South South zonal coordinator, Amb. Sylvester Okoduwa, will translate to the organization boosting its participation in the coming off-cycle elections in Edo State and others, and ensuring more observers are put in the field to monitor and report on the conduct of the polls. Okoduwa’s comments came against the backdrop of elections into the state offices of the TMG in Rivers State. In keenly contested elections, conducted by the zonal coordinator, Amb. Okoduwa, and zonal treasurer, Amb. Christie Iwezor, at the offices of the Everest Nwankwo Esq-led Anpez Center for Environment and Development in Port Harcourt on Monday, Nathaniel Akporuvweku Esq was re-elected to a second term as Rivers Stat...