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Tag: Port Harcourt

  • 8 out of 10 Nigerian women wear wigs – Survey

    No fewer than eight out of ten Nigerian women wear wigs as part of their fashion items for their day-to-day activities, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria reveals.

    The study, conducted on 1, 100 urban and suburban women from Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, showed that 81.8 percent of respondents own wigs and prefer them to sew-in weaves.

    showing statistics of women who wear wigs

    While a sew-in is a weave sown onto the wearer’s hair, a wig is a head covering made from human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fiber.

    The lace front wig is fast becoming a favourite, replacing the weft wig. The illusion of hair growing from the scalp is the feature that makes this wig the most preferred.

    The survey also showed that 54.5 percent of them own between 1 to 3 wigs and the remaining 45.5 percent owned up to six or more wigs for rotation purposes.

    Chart showing number of wigs respondents own

    Explaining their preferences, the women told NAN that convenience, ease of use and cost-effectiveness were the major reasons they preferred wigs to sew-in weaves.

    Bolaji Osofisan said, “Its super comfy because I can take it in and out at ease. It is durable because I can reuse over and over after a wash. It is trendy, doesn’t smell and my hair gets to breath daily.”

    Similarly, Akpezi Ikede stated it was easy to take out and style by oneself thereby reducing frequent salon visits and saving cost.

    However, the 18.2 percent who preferred sew-in weaves to wigs told NAN that they were more customisable to fit the head and not as heavy as some wigs.

    Read Also:‘New wigs’ reward is in heaven’

    Some others added that they were afraid of the wig falling off and that the cost of wigs keep rising everyday making it difficult to keep up with.

    NAN gathered that prices of wigs start from N15, 000 to as high as N500, 000 depending on the quality of human hair used and the illusion of the lace front.

    Commenting on the wig trend, celebrity hairstylist, Ada Kanu of Dugykay hair said, “Wigs are trending now because of the weather and the fact that it is an alternative to sew-ins.

    “They are time-saving, very convenient to wear and can change one’s look in seconds. I would advise clients to go for convenience – either sew-ins or wigs.

    “Hairstyle should be about what best suits you and how comfortable you feel wearing it,” she said.

  • NFVCB takes training to Port Harcourt, Nnewi

    After opening its 2019 workshop series in Lagos, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has taken its roadshow to the South-South and South-East zones of the country, making stops in Port Harcourt and Nnewi last week.

    In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the programme, tagged ‘Media Literacy Capacity Building On Film Classification & Empowerment For Youth’ took place from January 15 to16, 2019 at the Algate Hotel, an exercise facilitated by Hon. Boma Goodhead in the Asari Toru/Akuku Toru Federal Constituency.

    Participants had a great time interacting with veteran actress and youth advocate, Hilda Dokubo, a daughter of the soil who helmed the talks on Film Classification.

    Dokubo spoke with the most familiar references, language, gags and slangs of Rivers people.

    “I’m going to make it as interactive as possible,” she began, as she threw a question that set the ball rolling. “When you buy a film, how many of you flip to the back jacket to see the Classification Symbol? She asked.

    None responded in the affirmative.

    “So, that’s a problem,” she declared.

    Enumerating some of the categories of classification, Dokubo explained that there was the need to adhere strictly to the rules.

    “If there is a breach of classification rule, there is a problem. The problem is however not for the filmmaker but for the person that allowed the breach, because classification plays the role of informing, plays the role of healing and places responsibility on everyone, including the producer and adults.”

    She advocated special class for movies that encourage good virtues in people as well as those that protect the gender.

    The actress who frowned at stereotype contents in Nollywood movies pointed out that as a way of changing the narrative, producers must desist from stories that portray the police as bribe collectors, soldier as civilian beaters, the girl-child doing the home chores while the boy-child plays football, as well as movies that portray career woman as endangering their home and marriage, while the full-time housewife is seen as the ideal women.

    In Nnewi, the industrial nerve of the South East geo- political zone, it was a gathering of notable stakeholders in the creative industry from Nnewi North/South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituencies.

    The event which held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, was an empowerment workshop for youths in the movie and entertainment industry from that area. They include actors, script writers, movie producers and directors, marketers, costumiers, editors and other crew members within the movie production chain.

    In his opening remarks, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas urged participants to avail themselves of this rear opportunity to carve a niche for themselves within the creative industry. He noted that the essence of the training was; to develop participants’ interest and understanding of classification; make participants ambassadors of film classification by letting their children know what to watch and watch not to watch; and assist in lobbying policy makers on important classification recommendations.

    In a bid to create a solid foundation for the participants, NFVCB’s Zonal Coordinator, South-East, Mr. Hubert Odeh presented a talk on the Rudiments of Classification, giving brief background history and workings of the Board.

    Responding on behalf of participants, Chief Ossy Affason of Ossy Affason Distribution Company encouraged filmmakers to always take advantage of such golden opportunities to develop themselves, while urging those within the creative industry to close ranks in order to build a virile and formidable industry.

    High point of the workshop was the distribution of grants to participants by the Executive Director of NFVCB.

  • Wike’s aide kidnapped by unknown gunmen

    The Special Adviser ( SA ), to the Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike on Lands and Survey, Chief Anugbom Onuoha, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen the stay Police command says.

    According to a statement in Port Harcourt the state capital on Friday by the Spokesman of the command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police Dr. Onuoha a Lawyer was kidnapped from a hotel in the Adah George area of Port Harcourt, Thursday night by armed men on military uniforms.

    The command described the development as unfortunate and pledged to ensure he was released as soon as possible.

    The statement said, “On January 18, 2019, at about 8:30 pm, unknown gunmen in military uniforms stormed a certain Hotel at Ada George road in Port Harcourt and kidnapped the Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands & Survey, chief Anugbom Onuoha.

    “This is unfortunate, and as a Command, we are touched by this development and will go all out to ensure his speedy and timely release.

    Read Also: Road crashes: 9 die, 84 injured in Ogun

    “The state Commissioner of Police Musa Belel has given a marching order to all the Tactical Units, including the IGP Monitoring Unit to work round the clock and ensure that the victim is released in record time.

    “Contacts have been made with Sister Security Agencies and other security stakeholders in this direction. The Command wishes to appeal to the members of the public, to avail us with useful information that can lead to his unconditional release.

    “The public is hereby assured that there is no cause for alarm, as the already existing peace in the State will be sustained,” they said.

  • Boko Haram: Dickson offers automatic employments to dead pilots’ wives

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Monday offered automatic employments to wives of two Bayelsa State-born pilots, who died recently in action during a raid on Boko Haram hideout in the northeast.

    The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Sorowei, made the pledge when he led a delegation to visit one of the widows, Mrs. Diepreye Inokoba Jacob, whose husband, Flight Lieutenant Pereowei Jacob, died in a helicopter crash at Damasak, on January 2.

    Dickson also extended the offer of automatic employment to the wife of the second pilot, Lt. Owei, who died in 2016 when the Commander 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore E Ebiowei, drew his attention to it.

    Dickson earlier paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on January 11, to condole with the NAF on the death of the Bayelsa-born pilot.

    During the visit, he called on leaders and Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in the ongoing campaign against the Boko Haram in the North East.

    The governor said the offer of automatic employment was the state government’s modest way of encouraging and rallying support for the relatives left behind by the indigenes of the state who got killed in active service to their fatherland.

    He described the late pilots as heroes whose services were a source of pride to the Ijaw nation.

    Read Also: Dickson’s delicate political engineering

    He said: “We are very proud of the services and the sacrifices that our departed young heroes made. We hereby announce automatic employment for the wife.

    “We hear you are doing your National Youths Service, you will get your letter of employment as soon as you complete your compulsory service to the nation.

    “The Base Commander has told us that another officer, flight Lt. Owei also died while fighting in the North East. I hereby announce immediate employment for his widow.

    “This is our modest way of encouraging our people in the service of this nation.

    ”Our people, from the beginning, have stood for Nigeria. We have been doing that and we are not going to get tired to demand that Nigeria does what is right for us too.”

    The spokesman for the family, Oloice Kemenanabo, described the late pilot as among the best in the country before the sad occurrence.

    He thanked the governor for the visit, which he said brought so much succour to the grieving family.

     

  • We sold missing Edo sisters for N.5m each, says suspect

    The two sisters, Christabel and Amanda, who were stolen by their father’s tenants in June, 2018 were sold for N500, 000 each.

    They were sold to separate individuals from Port Harcourt and Nnewi in Anambra State.

    Christabel and Amanda, aged four and six, were stolen from Utese village in Ovia North East local government area by two female tenants simply identified as Mercy and Rose.

    Mercy and Rose had spent only three weeks in their rented apartment when they stole the two sisters away after their mother left them in their care.

    One of the suspects who participated in the transportation and sale of the two sisters, Joy Odum, spoke to newsmen when three members of the syndicate were paraded yesterday.

    Other suspects were Ruth Ese aged 58 and Favour Uju aged 45.

    Another suspect, Esther, who helped Rose and Mercy to convey the children to Agbor, is already serving jail term.

    Joy said the stolen sisters stayed with her briefly in Agbor, Delta State before she took them to Ruth based in Onitsha.

    Madam Ruth contacted Favour in Imo State who brought the couples that paid for the children.

    Ruth insisted that the children were still alive and that it was the police job to locate them.

    She said the children were sold to different childless couples.

    Read Also: Edo seeks probe of shooting on New Year’s day

    According to her: “I gave them to this woman (Favour) and she gave them out. The children are alive. One is at Nnewi and the other is at Port Harcourt.

    “The commission I got is N30, 000. The man that said he brought the children from Cotonou sent his account number where the money was paid into.

    “I told the children parents that they are still alive. The police should go and apprehend.”

    Favour said she is a businessmen woman in Owerri and she does not know the location of the children.

    She said she only helped the couple to adopt the stolen children.

    Father of the children, Spark Omokpia, had earlier told our reporter that he would go to the end of the world to recover his daughter.

  • Man in court for alleged over N4m property theft

    A 46-year-old man, Allen Macaulay, was on Monday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged theft.

    Macaulay, a business man allegedly stole marine equipment valued at over N4m, property of Fymark Marine and Oil Services Company Nigeria Limited.

    A document obtained from the court alleged that the suspect committed the offence at the company premises at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Port Harcourt, in March, 17.

    Read Also: Mechanic in court for alleged theft

    He pleaded not-guilty to the two-count charge of theft and unlawful conversion of properties slammed on him and was granted bail with a surety.

    Granting the suspect bail, the presiding magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja said the surety must be a renowned business man or a worker in the rank of manager in a reputable company who must be resident in Port Harcourt and must present evidence of tax payment of the last three years and must deposit a cash sum of N300,000 with the registrar of the court.

    Macaulay was represented by in the court by a lawyer.

    The case was adjourned till February 6, for hearing.

  • Man in court over theft of N4m property

    A 46-year-old man, Allen Macaulay, was on Monday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged theft.

    Macaulay, a businessman allegedly stole marine equipment valued at over N4m, property of Fymark marine and oil services company Nigeria Limited.

    A document obtained from the court alleged that the suspect committed the offence at the company premises at the Government Reservation Area(GRA) of Port Harcourt, in March, 17.

    He pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of theft and unlawful conversion of properties slammed on him and was granted bail with a surety.

     

    Granting the suspect bail, the presiding magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja said the surety must be a renown businessman or a worker in the rank of manager in a reputable company who must be resident in Port Harcourt and must present evidence of tax payment of the last three years and must deposit a cash sum of N300,000 with the registrar of the court.

    Macaulay was represented by in the court by a lawyer.

    The case was adjourned till February 6, for hearing.

  • 2019: Rivers monarch sues for credible, peaceful elections

    Dr Chukumela Nnam Obi II, Oba of Ogbaland, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for peaceful and credible conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

    Obi made the call in a statement by his Media Aide, Prince Amadike-Otoboh, in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

    He cautioned the electorate against voting for candidates based on religion, ethnicity, gender and political affiliations, saying that candidates should be voted for on integrity and credibility.

    Obi said: “Electorate should use their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) wisely by voting according to their conscience in order to elect credible leaders at all levels of government.

    “I am urging the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, especially the youths, to resist being used as tools by desperate and greedy politicians to cause violence again in the area.’’

    The monarch urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be neutral while discharging their duties without fear or favour to any political party.

    Read Also: Court disqualifies Rivers APC candidates

    “The political class is cautioned against playing politics of bitterness by guarding their utterances and actions in order not to plunge the country into chaos.

    “What the electorate expect to hear from politicians are issues-based electioneering devoid of acrimony; name-calling; character assassination; violence; hate speeches and blame games,” he said.

    Obi urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to agitations of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Organised Labour.

    The monarch said that Ahoada/Omoku/Egbema federal road as well as other internal roads in the area had become impassable in spite of the area being an oil hub in the country.

    “We have made several appeals to the Federal and Rivers Governments to rehabilitate the roads.

    “The sorry states of the roads are causing untold hardship to Orashi people,” he said.

    Obi condoled with the family, government and Nigerians over the death of former President Shehu Shagari, describing him as patriotic, kind, humble and incorruptible leader.

    NAN

  • Man, 38, remanded for alleged defilment

    A Chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand in prison custody of a 38-year-old Ikechukwu Ononuju for allegedly defiling  three underaged kids.
    The children  aged 8, 9 and 10 years were respectfully violated by the susupect at different time in the same place  on December 28, 2018.
    According to the court document obtained by the Nation, the alleged rapist lured the kids victims to an obscure area covered their mouths with his palms as he defiled them in turn.
    The crime was reportedly committed at the Railway Quarters in Bundu area of Port Harcourt, the state capital.
    He was charged with six-count Charge bothering on rape and defilement. The charge was not read out to him hence  he did not take plea.

    Read Also: Man remanded for ‘defiling’ girl, 7

    The prosecutor, inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that  the offence Ononuju was charged with is a capital offence and contravenes sections 222 and 218 of the criminal code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
    The suspect was represented by a Lawyer.
    The presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja ordered that he be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till January 10.

  • ‘Rivers governor lacks moral right to ask for second term’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, has stated that Governor Nyesom Wike lacks the moral right to ask for a second term, in view of his abysmal performance.

    Cole, on Thursday in Port Harcourt, through the Spokesman of his campaign organisation, Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives, noted while reacting to the New Year’s Day message of Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that the Rivers governor had squandered whatever was left of his goodwill.

    He said: “What is Wike really coming back to do? Rivers people gave him a chance to serve them in 2015, after the abracadabra that took place. Rather than work for them, Wike turned against them and chastised them from day one.

    “Rather than for Wike to keep Rivers people safe, heads of innocent and defenseless persons were gruesomely cut off. Whole families were wasted by hit squads, while property worth millions of naira was destroyed in many parts of the state.

    “Three and a half years down the line, the Rivers governor, who has squandered the opportunity to write his name in the history books, wants a second chance. Even members of his party (PDP), who have seen how bad he is, are not looking forward to a Wike’s second term.”

    The co-founder of Sahara Group also stated that the Rivers people, pushed to the wall by Wike’s maladministration, could not afford to gamble with the future, stressing that it was time to hold the leaders accountable for their deeds, while insisting that it had nothing to do with political party.

    Read Also: ‘Wike will lead Rivers unto prosperity’

    He said: “We challenge the Rivers governor to tell people of the state what he has done with billions of naira belonging to them. Before asking for a second tenure, Wike should tell Rivers people where he kept the N117 billion that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says has been stolen from the coffers of Rivers State.

    “Wike should tell Rivers people where he is getting billions of naira that he is using to buy them out of their lands and acquire palatial structures all over Port Harcourt.

    “Rivers governor should tell us why we have the highest unemployment rate in the country, despite billions of naira that are flowing into the state. He should tell them why we are number one in all the wrong places: insecurity, waste mismanagement, occurrence of HIV/AIDS and the national misery index.”

    The governorship candidate of APC also urged Rivers people to say no to looting, while declaring that the score card of Wike’s administration was not encouraging.

    He said: “Wike has failed abysmally to improve the health sector. He has not delivered in the education sector. He has failed the civil servants and pensioners who worked tirelessly to lay the solid foundation for the growth of our dear state.

    “What Wike has is a bag full of colossal failures. Unlike Wike, Cole, who has a clear plan, will not allow the heads of Rivers people to be severed from their bodies and used gruesomely to decorate roadsides, in order to induce fear.

    “Unlike Wike, Cole understands the need to create an appropriate environment for investments and understands the place of bureaucrats and technocrats who work in the state’s civil service.

    “Cole knows that the greatest task of any responsible government is to protect lives and property. This is why Rivers people should ignore Wike’s appeal for a second tenure and vote APC.”

    Cole also assured that his government from May 29 this year, by God’s grace, would bring back security, investments, jobs and empowerment, as well as to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt with the greening and cleaning of the state capital and its environs, with end put to the hazardous soot.