Diobu, Port Harcourt

Diobu is a densely populated neighborhood of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, located within the Port Harcourt metropolis.

Neighborhood

Diobu is significant as the childhood residence of Rivers State governor Chibuike Amaechi. Other notable individuals who had been raised in Diobu are singer Duncan Mighty and former Reps' deputy speaker Austin Opara. The neighborhood is also known for its huge concentration of soccer talents and has produced a number of locally and internationally known players including Finidi George, Joseph Yobo and Taribo West. On March 29, 2012, Diobu hosted the 25th Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria zonal screening for Port Harcourt.

Although the neighborhood ranks among most commercially vibrant places in the city, about a third of its residents live below the poverty level. According to most sources, Diobu has high rates of gang activities, kidnappings and armed robberies. In many cases, police response times are unfavorably slow, and usually receive public criticism. Security in the area never actually improved until late 2007, and just for crime eradication, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi signed legislation implementing mandatory sentencing policies.