Politics
Dame Amaechi Urges Support For ESI
Wife of the Rivers
State
Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi has appealed to the State House of Assembly to
support and partner with her Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), to improve
the educational foundation of Rivers children.
Dame Amaechi stated this Wednesday when she
embarked on an advocacy visit to the Assembly to intimate members of the need
to buy into the ESI programme, a non-governmental Organisation (NGO) that
targets infants in rural areas.
The wife of the state Governor hinted that
the NGO has established a total of 84 nursery schools in various parts of the
state and has launched Adopt a Child Scheme to ensure that the cost of running
the programme is made manageable.
According to her, about 400 children of the
scheme have been adopted, noting that the best thing to give to any child is
education, and urged the House to make meaningful contributions towards the
success of the ESI.
She explained that the programme recruits
teachers from the local communities were the schools are situated, adding that
the appeal has become necessary considering the huge resources expended in her
drive for a better Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women
Affairs, Mrs Joeba West, urged the lawmakers to see the good intentions of the
governor’s wife in establishing the Empowerment Support Initiative to fill the
existing gap in early child education, especially for the children of the poor.
She corroborated the views of the Speaker’s
wife and woman leader of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), that proper
education would prepare the children for future life.
Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly,
Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amaechree, assured the wife of the Governor that the
Assembly will partner with her NGO, the ESI, to enable the organisation achieve
its set objects.
Hon. Amachree said the lawmakers will adopt
32 children from the school and would assist in other aspects to ensure that
their constituents benefit from the scheme.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.