News
Nine Police Officers Detained Over Pastor’s Death
Nine police officers serving at Okehi Police Division, have been detained in connection with the death of a pastor of Living Faith Church in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Tide gathered that the detained officers including the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of the division are currently helping the homicide unit of Rivers State Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of Assistant Pastor, Godwin Onwudebe, who allegedly died while under arrest.
The late Pastor Onwudebe who is 60 years old and of Living Faith Church, Ulakwo II branch was said to have incurred the wrath of the Umuala Ulakwo community after praying at the community square and declaring the community deity dead, and urged the people to follow the way of Christ for salvation.
According to the deceased’s son, Mr Wisdom Godwin, it was during a fasting and prayer programme of the church that my father got a revelation from God to go and pray at the community’s square, and after the prayer, he pasted a paper within the area, content of which passed judgement against the gods and goddesses of Ala Eshi (Local Deity).
Continuing, the 19-year old Wisdom and only son of the deceased, disclosed that after the prayer, the community said the pastor’s prayer had neutralised the powers of the community’s deity, and summoned the man of God. They, thereafter, set up a six man panel to try him, he said.
The pastor was later said to have been fined N60,000 for his disregard to the community, and subsequently reported to the police.
‘On 16th May, 2012, at about 2.00am, I heard my father shouting, the blood of Jesus, I thought he was praying but when I came out as the shouting persisted, I saw nine armed policemen who were dragging my father out, saying, you are under arrest”, the son narrated.
“My father was then tying wrapper, no slippers, no shirt, no phone when the policemen arrested him”, he said, adding that when later same morning, he went to Okehi Police Station in the company of another pastor of the church, they were asked to return around 4pm because the DPO was not in the office then.
He said when eventually, they met the DPO in the evening, they were asked to go to the Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt, where his father was said to have been taken to.
“It was there, we were told that my father died while he was being taken to Port Harcourt from Okehi Police Division”, said Wisdom.
The nine officers, who executed the arrest of late Pastor Onwudebe have been in detention sinceh May 17th while the result of an authopsy conducted on the late man of God is still being awaited.
When The Tide contacted the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, Ben Ugwuegbulam, he promised to get details of the incident and get back to The Tide, which did not come in spite of several calls and text messages placed on his phone line before filing this report.
The Tide further gathered from a reliable source that the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Church is determined to take legal action against the police and pursue the matter to logical conclusion.
Chris Oluoh
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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