Nigeria Travel Writer's Corps Rivers State Chapter

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Who Stole the Royal Crown of Chief Bouye Brown?
By Akpekwu Imbufe,
Elders of Brown House, are ruing with a heavy heart the theft of the Royal Crown, Staff of Office, Four Layers of Royal beads several documents and papers belonging to Chief Evans Clement Buoye Brown by individuals said to be opposed to his being received the Amanyanabo in-council as the SE-ALABO as lbani Custom and Tradition demands.
The theft of the Royal insignias was disclosed to the public in a press conference held at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, recently.
According to the conference document signed by SE-ALABO (CHIEF) EVANS CLEMENT BROWN, WARI-SENIBO (BARR) BARA BROWN, SENIBO SUOALA A. BROWN, SENIBO (BARR) MIEBAM ALLWELL BROWN, SENIBO FURO IWO BROWN the DASTARDLY and INHUMAN violence was unleashed at them in their home town Finima in the Bonny Local Government Area on the 22nd of January, 2022.
“In view of keeping the records straight, on that fateful day as we were returning from Bonny, the Palace of the King where SE-ALABO was formally received; we were ambushed by some thugs/ miscreants most of whom were identified as Finima boys aided by other hired persons from Andoni and Bille Communities;
These miscreants were hired (by those) opposed to SE-ALABO (Chief) EVANS C.B. BROWN'S emergence and eventual acceptance into the Apex traditional ruling council in the Bonny Kingdom- the Bonny Chief Council;
“The attack and way-lay took place at the LONGHOUSE JUNCTION about (100) Hundred meters away from the divisional Police Headquarters in Finima with the use of Fi****ms and live ammunition, fired at us unsuspectingly, overpowered us and our friends and well-wishers. The Chief was seriously brutalized/stabbed with machete cuts. His Royal Crown, Staff of Office, Royal beads (Four Layers], several documents and papers were stolen from him. Six others received serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.”
The Elders added that the attack lasted for about an hour and 15mins from 5:45 pm, followed by a brazen attack on houses of some principal members of the Family perceived to be loyal to SE-ALABO.

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Oil Spill: Niger Delta Region May Face Extinction, Rivers Environment Commissioner

By Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Igbiks Tamuno Says the Niger Delta Region may face extinction sooner than later due to the impact of oil spills and gas flares in the region
According to the Commissioner, the impact of the degradation of the environment, particularly the eco system of the mangroves along the coastal areas of the Niger Delta calls for a concerted action by not only States government but by all and sundry.
Mr. Igbiks Tamuno who was the Guest of Honor at the Book Launch and Photo Exhibition organized by the Niger Delta Snapshot, an event which held weekend at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, contended that having two constitutional provisions on environment (Federal Government exclusive and states Government Concurrent) would not mitigate negative environmental matters like oil spills and gas flares in the country but would further imperil the environment.
He asserted that the impact of oil spills and gas flares on the environment brought about by old and decaying pipe lines laid more than fifty years ago, particularly on the ecosystem of the mangroves forest along the coastal areas of the Niger Delta calls for a concerted action for a national policy framework on environment applicable to both the federal and states Government.
On the book launch which captures vivid images of environmental degradation and life on the Niger Delta ecosystem, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Rivers State Commissioner for Orientation and information, who was represented by Mr. Celestine Ogolo, a Director in the Ministry, says the book would create the necessary impact on the region as it touches the heart of issues agitating the minds of the peopeople.
The Hon. Commissioner, stated that the regret is that people don’t get to read what is put down in writing even as matters on the environment affects everyone.
A member of the panel of discussants, Barr. Iniruo Wills, former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, agreed that for a sustainable national policy on environment, Niger Delta governors must be bold enough to test the Constitutional provisions on the environment in the Courts otherwise, the fight against infractions by oil companies that pollute the environment from their operations may be short lived.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey of the University of Port Harcourt inform that the country have available data to facilitate a national policy framework for the protection of the Mangroves on the coastal areas of the Niger Delta Region. While Benjamin Azubuike Ekeke, a Professor of Forestry, With the Rivers State University holds that the way forward as the world marks the International Day of the Forest, is for the people of the Niger Delta Region to live in harmony with the mangroves forest as a veritable platform for sustainable livelihood.
As part of the celebration of the International Day of the Forest, the convener of the mangrovesXpo2021, Niger Delta Snapshot, plans a five million tree planting flag off Monday, as it urges all who uses the forest to do so responsibly.

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27/02/21
Port Harcourt: The Fire Next Time
Press Statement
In recent times, the Metropolitan Area of Port Harcourt, has witnessed a twins Fire Outbreak with devastating consequences for the people. Gladly, only economic valuables were lost to the inferno and no loss of life. Even at this, the sign post from the fire incidents showed that the fire next time may have dire consequences than the case maybe.

It is in this regard that the Nigeria Travel Writers Corps, Rivers State Chapter hasten to issue this Press Statement to draw the attention of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to the neglect and decaying state of the fire service system in the metropolitan city of Port Harcourt.

We fear that the neglect in the Fire Department may be catastrophic with a conflagration that may put Rivers State on the map of the infamy wherein we failed in doing little things that matters and be applauded in doing big things that matters the less. The corollary of this aphorism is that the state exist for the people and not for the vain glory of the state.
The Bishop Okoye Street’s fire outbreak at Mile III, Diobu, a fortnight ago, left much to be desired. The state's Fire Department located a five minute drive away failed the people who hung their hopes on their services. They arrived with just a truck load of water which fought the fire abysmally. In a whisk of breath, the Fire Department did not live up to expectation because, according to them the Public Power Supply System did not supply them with electricity to pump water into their trucks!

The outbreak of fire at the Marine Base Timber Market, Wednesday, left the people more traumatized not from the loss of their businesses to the fire but that the Fire Department failed to respond to their call to help. When the Nigeria Travel Writers Corps, Rivers State Chapter visited we could see the end result of what the timber traders' self-help achieved: a razed to the ground of an estimated 2billion Naira market!
We cannot reconcile this with the public good that the state government is known for. Neither can we misconstrue the circumstances or happenchance that made the State's Fire Department to fail abysmally when they needed them the most. We cannot also continue to rue about what should have been but rather to call on the government to take a bird eye look at what is happening with the Rivers State Fire Department and change the unworkable structure therein.

The call for the government to act to prevent the Fire Next Time is now strident because of the dry weather prevalent in the state. For all intents and purposes, the Rivers State Government must act now to put a stop gap to a future occurrence because a stitch in time is better than nothing.

Signed Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe, State Chairman

No Animal died of Covid 19 in Port Harcourt Zoo. - Zoo Manager

By Akpekwu Imbufe

The Management of Port Harcourt Zoo has opened up on the cause of the death of its pride and Ostrich following the visitation of members of the Nigeria Travel Writers Corps, Saturday, penultimate week.
In a telephone conversation with an executive member of the Corps, the Manager of the Zoo, Lady Victoria Ovunda, revealed that the Ostrich died as a result of old age in 2018 and not by the infection of COVID 19 or as a result of the lockdown.

Lady Ovunda also disclosed that the Lion died of natural causes associated with old age. She stated that the life span of lions is put at between 10 and 14years in the wild and between 16 and 18years in captivity. But the Port Harcourt Zoo Lion lived to the age of 24years, making it the oldest lion in the country at the time.

“The Ostrich was old, it fell down and died. The veternarian who looked after the Ostrich is a former President of Veternarian Doctors Association in Rivers State and the national association of wild life and Zoo Parks are aware of the death of the Ostrich.

No animal died during the lockdown, we were always on ground to take care of the animals.’ she stated.

“When we lost our lion, it was the oldest lion in the Zoo Parks in Nigeria. It was 24 years old and Port Harcourt Zoo was commended by the national association of wildlife and Zoo Parks for the feat. Our animals are healthy.” She added.

Breaking News

Fire outbreak at a block of Shops Along Bishop Okoye Street, Port Harcourt,
Akpekwu Imbufe, Reporting
A block of shops housing foodstuffs along Bishop Okoye street caught fire late this evening. The cause of the fire is yet unknown but a combined team of fire fighters have managed to bring the fire under control.
When the fire started in a conflagration, among shops selling mainly rice, beans and cereal, panic grips traders at the mile three market, Diobu, Port Harcourt, thinking the fire would expand to the main market. As a result, many traders who had closed for the night rushed back to protect their goods and valuables.
While the fire rages, a detachment of men of the Nigeria Police were on ground to provide security.
So far, no loss of life or injury have been reported as at press time.

Press Statement
Excitement as Port Harcourt Zoo takes a New Look
The Nigeria Travel Writers Corps wishes to share in the great expectation of the people of Rivers State as the Port Harcourt Zoo opens soon.
When the Writers Corps visited the Zoo on facility tour Saturday, there was excitement in the air as host community, Okujagu, in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of the state look forward to the return of tourists to the Zoo which was first opened on the 1st of October 1975.
Conceived by the Alfred Diete’s government in 1974, the Zoo hosted tourists from across the world as connoisseurs ogled over the diverse specie of wild life in the Zoo.
But over the years the Zoo have been left in decay and most of the wild life left dead out of negligence and paucity of fund. However, a new lease of life has been given to the Zoo by the extension of One Hundred Million Naira renovation grant to the Zoo by the Wike Administration
Engr. Kenneth Okonkwo, Site Engineer, speaking to members of the Corps on the work done stated that the first phase of the renovations is almost completed. While the second and third phases would see the Zoo come back to life.
Even as the Site Engineer could not reveal the due date for the reopening of the Zoo, on ground, it was apparent that work is now at advance stage with the administrative block, museum, snacks kiosk and the kitchen at finishing levels. The parameter fence was also in advance stage with the expectation that the staff quarters would be added in the second or final phase of the renovation.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Travel Writers Corps, Rivers State Chapter, Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe stated that he hopes the renovation work would bring a new lease to the Zoo but he also make bold to call for privatization of the Zoo to avoid it being bugged down by bureaucracy and inefficient management which was responsible for its shut down in the first place.
Mr. Imbufe also called on the state government to use the period under renovation to begin the training of staff for the Zoo and source for new wild life to replace the aging animals.

Signed
Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe,
Chairman

2021 Maiden Congress of Nigeria Travel Writer's Corps Rivers State Chapter held in Port Harcourt. From Left to Right. Mr Chris Imbufe, Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of Nigeria Travel Writer's Corps; Mrs Bunmi Durojaiye, Vice Chairman Rivers State Chapter of Nigeria Travel Writer's Corps and Mr Kingsley George, Secretary, Rivers State Chapter of Nigeria Travel Writer's Corps.