Reactions have continued to trail the announcement of a planned yuletide economy webinar by the Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry.
In a statement issued by the lawmaker, she announced a two-day virtual programme titled “Preparing Rivers West for the Yuletide Economy – Tourism, Heritage, Investment & Legislation,” scheduled for Thursday, December 18, to Friday, December 19, 2025, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm daily.
According to the senator, the webinar is aimed at preparing communities and youths in Rivers West to maximise opportunities associated with the yuletide economy. She explained that the session would explore ways of unlocking tourism-led growth across the district by leveraging culture, heritage, investment and enabling legislation.
The initiative is expected to cover communities across Abua-Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Bonny, Degema and Ogba-Egbema–Ndoni Local Government Areas.
She noted that discussions during the webinar would focus on developing tangible heritage sites, promoting intangible cultural heritage, and identifying entrepreneurial opportunities in heritage tourism, as well as investment and policy frameworks that support inclusive and sustainable growth during the festive season.
The senator acknowledged Christmas in Rivers, in partnership with UNESCO and the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, for organising the initiative with the support of her office. She also called on youths, entrepreneurs, creatives, members of the diaspora, hospitality operators, investors and community stakeholders to participate, noting that registration for the webinar is free.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from some residents and social media users.
Reacting, a Port Harcourt-based youth leader, Ichenwo Goodluck, questioned the timing of the webinar, describing it as “completely off.” He argued that the Christmas period should be a time for the senator to prioritise the immediate needs of her constituents, including the provision of essential food items.
Goodluck further queried whether the lawmaker was in touch with the realities facing people in the constituency, drawing a comparison with other first-time senators whom he said appeared to have clearer priorities.
Popular social media influencer, Brian Dennis, also weighed in on the matter in a brief comment, urging the senator to focus on distributing food items instead of organising webinars, noting that economic hardship could limit participation in such programmes. “Mummy share rice leave webinar, na who don chop dey go webinar,” he said
Despite the criticisms, the webinar is expected to hold as scheduled, with organisers insisting it is designed to equip residents of Rivers West with knowledge and opportunities linked to the yuletide economy.
