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Aleto Married-Out Daughters Urge Warring Parties to Embrace Peace

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Mrs Titi Ogboru-Michael , The married-out daughters of Aleto community have appealed to all parties involved in ongoing disputes within the host community to embrace peace and reconciliation. In a statement signed by their Coordinator, Comr. Mrs. Titi Ogboru-Michael , the group emphasized that many elderly members of Aleto depend on dividends for survival and are suffering as a result of unresolved conflicts. “It is heartbreaking to see our fathers and mothers, many of whom are aged, hungry, sick, and weak, deprived of what rightfully belongs to them because of disputes,” the statement said. The women called on all concerned parties to put aside their differences and ensure the prompt payment of dividends, stressing that Aleto’s strength has always been rooted in unity. They also commended the leadership of the community, including Emere King Dr. Philip Osaro Obele , King of Eleme Kingdom and Oneh-Eh Eta Aleto , the Queen Mother of Eleme Kingdom, Eleme Owa Evelyn Ada Gokpa , and...

Rabies Day: Nigerians Cautioned Against Dog Meat from Unverified Sources

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Nigerians have been advised to avoid eating dog meat from unverified sources as the world marked World Rabies Day . The warning was issued by the President of the Good Development and Accountability Advocacy (GDAA) , Chukwunazom Cyra Obi, who described rabies as a “silent but deadly disease” still prevalent in the country. Obi identified low public awareness, inadequate vaccination, and weak response systems as key factors fuelling the spread of the disease. He called on government to vaccinate at least 70 percent of dogs annually and to intensify awareness campaigns in local languages. He further urged authorities to adopt humane measures in controlling stray dogs, including vaccination, spaying, and enforcement of pet ownership laws. Strengthened veterinary services and greater public vigilance, he said, remain essential in curbing the threat of rabies. John Ollor Obe  (c) Eleme Today 

Chief Obarilomate Ollor Clinches Eleme Chairmanship as APC Sweeps Rivers LG Polls

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By Nwafor Oji Awala The political atmosphere in Eleme Local Government Area turned jubilant on Sunday as Chief Obarilomate Ollor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was officially declared winner of the local government chairmanship election. According to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Chief Ollor secured a commanding 77,452 votes , delivering a decisive mandate that consolidates both his personal political appeal and the growing influence of the APC across Rivers State. For Eleme, a vital industrial hub and once a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stronghold, Ollor’s victory represents a significant shift. His campaign, built on promises of grassroots development, inclusivity, and local empowerment, resonated strongly with voters. Political observers describe the scale of his victory as not just a win for the APC but also a consolidation of Ollor’s position as one of the emerging political leaders in Rivers. His mandate, they argue, is strengthened by...

Oyor Rallies Eleme for APC Victory

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By Meshach Osaro The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Eleme for the August 30th Local Government Elections, Hon. Frederick Oyor, has called on the people of Eleme to turn out en masse and vote for the Chairmanship Candidate of the party, Chief Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, and all APC Councillorship candidates across the ten wards of the LGA. Hon. Oyor, a former Chairman of the APC in Eleme and one-time Public Relations Officer of the Party in Rivers State, made the appeal in an exclusive interview with Eleme Today  after the campaign rallies across the LGA. In his remarks, Oyor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for commencing standard reconstruction work on the Eleme section of the East–West Road and for appointing an illustrious son of Eleme as Director of Works and Projects in the South-South Development Commission. He also lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his “sustained ...

APC’s Monday Thompson Thanks Supporters After Successful Eteo Ward Rally

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By John Ollor Obe. The All Progressives Congress (APC) councilorship candidate for Eteo Ward 6, Mr. Monday Thompson, has expressed deep appreciation to party leaders, traditional rulers, and supporters following the ward sensitization rallies held across Eleme Local Government Area on Thursday, August 21. Thompson, who alongside Chief Hon. Obarilomate Alale Ollor (APC chairmanship candidate for Eleme LGA) was formally presented to electorates during the Eteo rally, took to his Facebook page to thank all who contributed to the event’s success. In his message, he first gave glory to God Almighty for the peaceful and successful outing, describing it as a major step ahead of the August 30 local government elections in Rivers State. He specifically lauded the “supreme leader of the political family” in his ward, Chief Hon. Sir Marcus Nle-Ejii, JP, DSSRS, who also serves as Executive Director for Works and Project at the SSDC, for his leadership and support. Thompson also extended gratit...

Ogale vs Shell: UK Court Ruling Clears Path for Landmark Environmental Trial in 2027

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  By Nwafor Oji Awala July 2, 2025 After nearly a decade of legal wrangling, the Ogale and Bille communities in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta have won a significant legal milestone in their ongoing battle against multinational oil giant Shell. A UK High Court ruling by Justice Juliet May has cleared the way for a full trial in 2027, igniting hope for justice in two communities devastated by oil pollution. At the heart of the case are claims by over 13,000 residents of Ogale and Bille—communities whose livelihoods are rooted in farming and fishing—that years of systemic oil pollution by Shell and its former Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), have rendered their land, water, and environment toxic and uninhabitable. Justice May ruled on more than 20 preliminary issues, noting that “some 85 spills have, so far, been identified,” though she emphasized the case remains “at a very early stage.” Significantly, the judge concluded that Shell could poten...

FRESH DETAILS HAVE EMERGED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF THE A.P C. CHAIRMAN, GANDUJE

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 By John Ollor Obe  Fresh Revelations Have Surfaced Regarding Resignation of Ganduje as National Chairman of the APC - sources link the move to behind-the-scenes political manoeuvrings involving President Bola Tinubu and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. Kwankwaso-Tinubu Alliance and APC Strategy According to insider reports, Ganduje's decision to step down is tied to ongoing negotiations aimed at welcoming former Kano State Governor, Senator Kwankwaso, into the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. The move is seen as part of President Tinubu’s broader plan to reposition the ruling party. Formal Resignation and Interim Leadership Ganduje’s resignation was officially announced on Friday. Ali Bukar Dalori, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North) from Borno State, has been named the Acting National Chairman pending the election of a substantive successor. In a formal statement confirming the development, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated:  “In his le...

THE SELECTION OF ONEH-EH NCHIA FOLLOWS A CLEAR TRADITION - CHIEF ONURA OKEREKE

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW In the wake of the June 13, 2025 Court of Appeal judgment in Port Harcourt, which upheld the High Court ruling validating King Appolus Chu as the Oneh-eh Nchia X, questions have continued to emerge about the traditional processes that govern the selection of the head of the Nchia district in Eleme Kingdom. To shed light on the issue, Eleme Today spoke with Chief Dr. Onura Okereke, the Land Priest of Alesa Clan and Chairman of the Eleme Land Priests Association — a critical institution in the traditional leadership structure of Eleme. In this interview conducted by Nwafor Oji Awala, Chief Okereke gives his view on the judgment and outlines the traditional selection process for the Oneh-eh Nchia. Eleme Today: Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Chief Okereke: I am Chief Dr. Onura Okereke, the Land Priest of Alesa Clan. I also serve as the Chairman of the Eleme Land Priests Association. Eleme Today: What is your reaction to the recent Court of Appeal jud...

PEACE RETURNS TO RIVERS STATE AS GOVERNOR FUBARA, LAWMAKERS RECONCILE

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By John Ollor Obe. Peace Returns to Rivers State as Governor Fubara, Lawmakers Reconcile After months of intense political turmoil, Rivers State has finally turned a corner. Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, have reached a political truce, ending a prolonged crisis that threatened governance and stability in the state. The peace meeting, hailed as a breakthrough, marks the end of a bitter political standoff that had plunged the state into uncertainty. Tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government had raised fears of institutional collapse, prompting President Bola Tinubu to impose a six-month emergency measure to safeguard democratic governance. The resolution brings a wave of relief to residents of Rivers State and stakeholders across the nation, many of whom had expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict. With this reconciliation, the path is now clear for the restoration of de...

A RESPONSE TO SENATOR BARINADA MPIGI'S STATEMENT ON THE EAST-WEST ROAD

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From Nwafor Oji Awala of Eleme Local Government Area Dear Distinguished Senator Barinada Mpigi, I write to you with due respect to your person and your office as the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works. I recently came across your press statement dated June 18, 2025, in which you assured the people of Ogoniland and users of the East-West Road of the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to the completion of all approved works, especially the stretch from Oil Mill Junction to Onne. I acknowledge your role, alongside that of other lawmakers from our zone, in previously drawing national attention to the deplorable state of this vital road and its failing bridge. That effort was commendable. However, Distinguished Senator, permit me to ask: what has changed? When the bridge was visibly crumbling and posed a grave threat to commuters and the economy, you raised your voice. Now that the Federal Government has only ...

LNG-Powered 'Kota Oasis' Makes Historic Docking at Onne Terminal, Marking West Africa’s First Green Containership Arrival

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By John Ollor Obe  Over the weekend, the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT) in Rivers State welcomed the Kota Oasis, a Singapore-flagged containership powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)—the first of its kind to dock in West Africa. In a statement released on Sunday, the terminal’s management highlighted the vessel’s arrival as a major advancement in eco-friendly maritime operations. Operated and owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), the ship's docking marks a key step toward sustainable shipping practices in the region. “The arrival of Kota Oasis underscores OMT’s commitment to green port operations and reinforces its role as a leading hub for containerised trade in Nigeria,” the statement noted. Measuring 260 meters in length, the Kota Oasis has a gross registered tonnage of 78,501 and can carry up to 8,350 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to the terminal's announcement. The ship, which docked at OMT at 10:00 a.m., is equipped with dual-fuel systems that ...

STAKEHOLDERS REJECT APPEAL COURT RULING ON ONEH-EH NCHIA STOOL, DECLARE SUPPORT FOR OKPABI

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By Nwafor Oji Awala  Traditional stakeholders of Nchia District in Eleme Local Government Area convened on Friday at the royal court of Oneh-eh Nchia, Obarijima Palace in Ogale, to express firm opposition to the recent Appeal Court judgment that reaffirmed King Appolus Chu as the Oneh-eh Nchia X of Eleme Kingdom. The gathering, called by His Royal Highness, Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, drew together paramount rulers of the clans that make up Nchia, land priests, youth leaders, women chiefs, and other traditional figures. The meeting followed the June 13, 2025 decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, which dismissed all six grounds of appeal filed by Emere Bebe Okpabi under case number CA/PH/370/2023. The court upheld the earlier ruling of the Rivers State High Court, validating King Appolus Chu’s position as the Oneh-eh Nchia and affirming that the process followed aligned with local customs. However, at the stakeholders’ meeting, discontent was widespread. Speaker after spea...