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NSF: Sports Enthusiasts Laud Rivers Government On Security
Sports enthusiasts at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt last Saturday praised the organisers for beefing security at all venues of the festival.
In separate interviews at the Civic Centre, Port Harcourt they enjoyed their liberty at venues without being harassed by hoodlums or touts.
They also said the security in place ran contrary to the belief that kidnapping and abduction that filtered the air and make Port Harcourt a dreaded place.
They also said that if such security could be beefed up in the metropolis, it will not be business as usual for hoodlums and kidnappers who take advantage of pedestrians.
Sunday Ohiman, Chief Coach, Edo State Wrestling said that he was so happy for the security put in place at all the venues of the festival.
He praised the state government for ensuring the safety of lives and property during the biennial fiesta.
“Though I was not afraid, most of the athletes were afraid because of the kidnapping stories, indeed we enjoy our peace and we hope this continues till the end of the festival,“ Ohiman said.
Another coach from Bayelsa, Abubakar Zimojhan also told reporters that Rivers State government had proved everybody wrong with all the kidnapping stories in the Niger Delta.
Zimojhan also commended the police for discharging their duty at various venues, adding that no athletes ever complained of any incident.
“Though participating states too are security conscious by warning their athletes not to go outside the venues indiscriminately, let us still give it to the host state,“ he said.
Victoria Egbunike, a wrestling enthusiast also said that she was impressed that the state had to put security in place for them to protect participating teams saying it’s a score card.
Abudulahi Garba, a traditional sport lover and resident of Port Harcourt said that the government should extend the security to the metropolis and after the festival.
“Police should try and arrest some “Area Boys’’ who snatches bags and money at some areas in the metropolis at night for us to move freely,“ he said.
A police officer who did not want his name in print told newsmen at the Civic Centre, one of the venues of the festival that “It is our duty to secure lives and we are doing our work,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that over 600 police officers were deployed to the nine venues of the sports festival.
The venues are: Adokiye Amiesimaka, Liberation, Sharks Stadia, Civic Centre, Agbani Darego’s Hall, Township School, City Hall, Sports Hall Uniport, Port Harcourt Club and Golf course.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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