Prime Heritage Magazine

By Barisua Martins  Contradictions have emerged over the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State, following conflicting statements from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, recently criticised the decision of an unnamed State Independent Electoral Commission for planning local government elections with only 21 days' notice — a move he described as unlawful and contrary to a Supreme Court judgment — RSIEC insists it did not release any fresh timetable. Speaking to newsmen, RSIEC Commissioner in charge of Political Parties Affairs, Monitoring, and Security, Godfrey Woke, maintained that the commission is relying on the original election schedule issued under the former RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebele. Woke noted that the timetable remains valid and that most registered political parties have already collected expression of int...

By Nwafor Oji Awala.  The Ogoni nation has recorded a major federal gain under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the appointment of prominent Ogoni academic, Professor Don Mon Baridam , as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology , Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Rivers State. This strategic appointment not only signals a growing federal presence in Ogoniland but also positions the region at the forefront of Nigeria’s push for environmental innovation and sustainable development. It comes as part of the formal constitution of the university’s governing council and principal officers, following the enactment of the institution's establishment law on February 3, 2025 . Professor Baridam, a highly regarded professor of Management and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, brings decades of academic and administrative leadership to the role. His expertise in organisational behaviour an...

By John Ollor Obe  From the spirited streets of Lagos to the serene corners of Zuru, the victory of Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has become far more than a sporting accomplishment — it is now etched as a shining moment of national pride, unity, and legacy. In a celebration that reflected the soul of a grateful nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred national honours on the entire 24-member squad and their 11-man technical team, recognising their historic 10th WAFCON title win as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey as a people bound by hope, resilience, and shared dreams. Each player and official received the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) title, alongside the promise of a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a generous cash reward of $100,000 for players and $50,000 for technical staff. "This is not just a trophy," President Tinubu declared to a jubilant crowd. ...

Samuel Onungwe  Rabiu Kwankwaso  By John Ollor Obe In a strongly worded rebuttal that is making waves across social media, public policy commentator Samuel Onungwe has taken former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, H.E. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to task over his recent remarks alleging that Nigeria’s development trajectory is skewed in favour of the South at the North’s expense. Kwankwaso, speaking at a recent public engagement, pointed to the federal government’s ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—currently just 4 percent completed—as a symbol of disproportionate infrastructural focus on the South. But Onungwe, in a public statement posted on his verified Facebook page and now widely circulated, accused the former Defence Minister of historical silence over real and documented imbalances that benefited the North during the previous administration. “Where was His Excellency when former President Muhammadu Buhari made lopsided federal appointments, heavil...

By Nwafor Oji Awala As political forces continue to reconfigure ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the public commissioning of a revamped mass transit system in Edo State became more than just a developmental milestone—it served as a platform for the deepening of political alliances and subtle campaign signals. On Wednesday, July 22, 2025, in Benin City, FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State for what he described as focused and purposeful leadership. Wike, however, didn’t stop at praising development. His remarks revealed a growing bond between key political actors who are visibly positioning themselves for 2027. Wike, a known political tactician, praised Governor Okpebholo for not being distracted by post-election litigations, drawing parallels with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's swift action after assuming office. “The moment Mr. President was inaugurated, he hit the ground running. Tha...

By Nwafor Oji Awala | In an inspiring tale of grit, grace, and unshakable faith, Sharon Ejii Obey has emerged not only as a Barrister but as a shining symbol of relentless determination, proving that setbacks are setups for divine comebacks. The journey began in 2015 when Sharon, a young woman full of dreams and ambition, gained admission to study Law at North America University. Her passion for the legal profession burned bright — until an unexpected storm struck. By her fourth year, Sharon discovered that her university’s Law degree was not recognized by the Nigerian Law School. Devastated but not defeated, she left with only her transcript, facing an uncertain future. "I told myself I will never be a school dropout," Sharon recalls. With this personal vow, she returned to Nigeria and knocked on the doors of several universities, seeking admission to continue from where she had stopped. But almost all required her to start afresh — from 100 level. That painful reality, ...

By John Ollor Obe | Abuja | July 20, 2025 – In response to rising tensions over pension grievances among retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Force Headquarters has issued a clarifying statement assuring of its commitment to both the dignity of its veterans and the peaceful conduct of a planned protest set for Monday, July 21, 2025. The Force, through its spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, acknowledged the growing agitation for a review of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as a matter rooted in years of advocacy, not sudden dissatisfaction. “This is not a new agitation,” the statement emphasized, noting that since 2014, successive Inspectors-General have empathized with the plight of retirees but have faced systemic limitations beyond their control. While reaffirming support for the retirees' concerns, the Nigeria Police Force decried the politicization and “emotional manipulation” surrounding the issue. The statement warned of actors who, rathe...

By Nwafor Oji Awala | In a moving blend of tradition, unity, and political symbolism, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, made a powerful homecoming to Akpor Kingdom during the solemn burial of the late Chief Orabule Adele JP, MON. His presence was more than ceremonial — it was a statement of enduring loyalty to his roots and an affirmation of his deep ties to the people of Akpor. The occasion, which drew an array of dignitaries, political leaders, and community stakeholders from across Rivers State, was spearheaded by the Akpor Consultative Assembly (ACA) under the leadership of Hon. Francis Amadi. Also present was Hon. Innocent Paddy Wali, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Obio/Akpor LGA, both of whom played vital roles in organizing the event. However, it was Wike’s presence that lit up the atmosphere. A native son and one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures, Wike was received with immense grati...

By Barisua Martins | Prime Heritage Magazine In one of the most disturbing cases of systemic neglect in recent memory, Gospel Uebari Kinanee , who vanished in 2007 as a 14-year-old boy, has finally regained his freedom after spending 18 harrowing years in prison —with no charge, no case file, and no official record of why he was ever detained. Now in his early thirties, Gospel's story came to light during a humanitarian outreach to a correctional facility in Rivers State by Haven360 Foundation in September 2024. The Foundation, known for its work in prison reform and human rights advocacy, was immediately alarmed by his withdrawn demeanor and disjointed speech. Even more troubling was the fact that no one—neither prison authorities nor fellow inmates—could explain why Gospel was there, or for how long. Further investigations by Haven360 revealed what they described as a “legal black hole”: Gospel’s name appeared in no registry, no criminal docket, and no trial proceedings. He ...

By John Ollor Obe. In a pivotal move to resolve the longstanding leadership crisis within the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers has inaugurated a high-powered Peace Reconciliation Committee—placing Professor Sunday Ndowa E. Lale, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, at the helm of efforts to reunite the fractured movement. The committee was officially inaugurated on July 15, 2025, under the guidance of HRM (Sir) King Samuel L. A. Nnee JP, AmbP, FIIM, ACArb, D.min, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom and Convener of the Supreme Council. With the blessing of the court, the Council has sought to mediate and harmonize leadership disputes that have plagued MOSOP for years. Prof. Lale, a renowned academic and community leader from Eleme, was appointed Chairman of the reconciliation body—tasked with the monumental responsibility of restoring peace and cohesion to MOSOP, which for decades has been the global vo...

By Nwafor Oji Awala. Ogale, Eleme – July 11, 2025 The Royal Court at Obarijima Palace, Ogale, was the venue of a momentous stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, July 11, 2025, as members of the Ogale community gathered to receive a comprehensive legal update on their long-standing environmental lawsuit against oil giant Shell. The briefing was delivered by Mr. Anthony Hayward of Leigh Day, the UK-based law firm representing both Ogale and Bille communities in the case currently before the High Court in London. Presiding over the gathering was His Royal Highness, King Godwin Maduabushi Bebe Okpabi Paramount Ruler of Ogale and Oneh-eh Nchia X. The meeting drew a cross-section of the community: traditional chiefs, women leaders, youth representatives, legal observers, and members of the diaspora, all unified by a deep concern over the environmental devastation that has plagued Ogale for decades. A Legal Turning Point for Ogale and Bille Mr. Hayward’s update focused on the preliminary ...

  By Nwafor Oji Awala At INAPOW House, Okerewa Aleto , in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State , a remarkable gathering took place on Saturday, July 5, 2025 , marking the 26th anniversary of HA-19 , the groundbreaking herbal remedy developed in 1999 by His Royal Majesty, Edidem (Prof.) Peter Ekpe —renowned founder of INAPOW Resources and Medical Director of INAPOW Tradomedical Clinic . Attendees from across Nigeria convened to celebrate what many described not just as an anniversary, but a spiritual and medical milestone—testifying to the enduring power of HA-19 in restoring health and hope. Chairing the occasion was Rasta Abbiye Romeo , who began by declaring: “We are all beneficiaries of HA-19. That’s why I say: beautiful people of HA-19. A lot of people have been healed by it. HA-19 is a worldwide miracle—it has tackled a lot of incurable and pathogenic diseases.” The crowd, made up of patients past and present, listened intently as story after story unfolded—sto...