News
Sambo Summons Security Chiefs Over Bombings
Vice-President Namadi Sambo, summoned Security Chiefs and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed, to his office in Abuja yesterday to assess the security situation in the country.
Our correspondent reports that the emergency meeting might not be unconnected with violent activities of the Boko Haram militant group in some parts of the country.
The group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s explosions in Kaduna and Zaria.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Azazi, confirmed that the meeting was meant to find lasting solution to cases of insecurity in the country.
He condemned Sunday’s bombing of three churches in Kaduna and Zaria and the subsequent reprisal killings of innocent persons in Kaduna State.
He said that the situation in Kaduna had been brought under control following the intervention of security forces and religious leaders.
Azazi described the reprisal killings in Kaduna as criminal and appealed to religious leaders to call their adherents to order.
“Whatever is the situation, you have to end up talking.
“We want leaders to be proactive, we want church leaders to be proactive; we want youth leaders to be proactive to make sure that what you call reprisal doesn’t make sense to anybody.
“What we need to do is to be mindful that somebody is killing somebody in Zaria and you are retaliating somewhere in Zonkwa, that’s criminality.
“Things happen, as a nation, as a people, we must address the situation not necessarily by killing one another.’’
Azazi who commended the people of Kano State for their cooperation and assistance in the fight against terrorism in the state, called on media organisations to partner with security agencies in addressing security challenges in the country.
“In certain parts of the country today and I will give an example like Kano; they are more proactive. So, you find that you are able to arrest the situation before it gets to this level.
“But that notwithstanding, even a small country like Israel where you have terrorism in spite of all the walls, once in a while, they still succeed in detonating bombs.
“So, we will like to arrest the situation as soon as possible, but we need everybody’s help to discover where these are coming from.’’
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; the Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim; the Chief of Air Staff, AVM Muhammed Umar and the Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has condemned Sunday’s attacks on places of worship in Kaduna State in which more than 60 people were killed.
The EU made the condemnation in a statement issued by Mrs Catherine Ashton, the union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, yesterday.
“I am appalled by the terrible attacks perpetrated against Christian churches in Nigeria on 17 June, following several similar attacks in recent weeks.
“I also deeply regret that reprisal attacks appear to have been made against members of the Muslim community.
“I condemn all such violence that leads to the loss of innocent lives and express my sincere condolences to the victims and their families,” Aston said.
She said the EU, through its Human Rights dialogue with Nigeria, would explore ways to promote greater understanding among the various communities “through wider dialogue in order to prevent such atrocities happening again”
Ashton urged the government to bring perpetrators of terror to justice.
She said the EU would renew its cooperation with Nigeria to address the underlying social and economic problems in the northern part of the country and “work with the authorities to make the fight against terrorism more effective’’.
It would be recalled that suicide bombers had in a coordinated operation attacked the ECWA Goodnews Church, and Christ the King Catholic Church in Wusasa , Zaria.
The explosions sparked violence in Kaduna, leading to reprisal attacks.
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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