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PHC, Oyigbo Monarchs Restate Support For Peterside

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The King of Port Harcourt City, Eze Victor Woluchem,  has charged governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,  to build an altar for the Lord when he becomes governor, come May 29.
The monarch said he is happy that the APC candidate is driving his campaign on absolute faith in God, entering churches across denominations and seeking God’s help in places of worship in towns and communities.
He described Peterside as a man of faith who, despite his earthly accomplishments, continues to be humble, God-fearing and simple in his dealings with people.
The King made the remarks during a courtesy call on him by the Greater Together Campaign Organisation in Port Harcourt, the state capital
“I have seen a lot of posters in this election period but none compares to your own. I discovered from those posters and billboards that you are a praying man. I have also read and seen reports of how you pray in churches as you campaign in our towns and villages. I want to encourage you to build an altar for the Lord in Government House when you become governor.
“Today, you have come to the palace to seek blessing. If you leave here, your campaign will surely be energised. And let me assure you that the soil you are walking on now is the mother soil of the Government House.
“I am not about political parties; I don’t know their colours or logos. But I know about individuals. Anybody who knows Rivers State very well knows that after Okilo, we have not had any government that affected the state like we have today. Any traditional ruler that is sincere will say the same thing. We saw development like we have never seen in years. But the unseen hand, that unsung personality is somebody who was commissioner of works. If not for him, we will not have had this unprecedented development, and that person is Dakuku Peterside.
“When I heard about your entry into this governorship race, I concluded that there was no contest. Discerning Rivers people, irrespective of party affiliation, know that you are the most acceptable, and I know you are not surprised about the support you are receiving across the state.
“This is why we are all behind you, but please, don’t let politics change you. Be the man you have always been, be that man we have always known because politics will come and go. I assure you, success is yours. For other youth like you, the future is already here and I am happy you are taking the lead”, Woluchem said.
The royal father later prayed and blessed the candidate and handed a copy of the Holy Bible to him.
In his speech, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, Boms Wogu,  described Peterside as a blessing to the people of the state.
He said gradually, supporters and admirers of the APC candidate are moving from prayer to thanksgiving, an indication that God’s purpose for this state will be accomplished soon.
Responding, Peterside, who is also a preacher of God’s word, said he will do more than just building an altar for the Lord come March 29.
He added that his reign will glorify God, assuring that he will be fair and committed in his service to the people of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Eze Oba Oyigbo in Oyigbo LGA,His Royal Majesty, Eze Mike Nwaji, has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,  as a humble and God-fearing man who is fulfilling God’s promise for the people of Rivers State.
He said the overwhelming support trailing Peterside’s campaign train today is divine, the reason he is the only candidate of choice and consensus in Rivers State.
The royal father, therefore, called on Rivers people to support God’s programme by avoiding any unholy act capable of circumventing God’s plan for them.    
He made the declaration when the APC candidate and Greater Together Campaign Organisation paid him a courtesy call during their ward rallies in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
“Peterside is a humble leader who has a listening ear for everybody, irrespective of status. Everybody prays for leaders who care and listen, that is the direction the world is headed now. At a personal level, I can call Peterside at anytime and he answers. This is why I am calling on everybody to follow Peterside because God has ordained him”, he said.
“Anytime I talk about this forth-coming election, I insist on APC and their candidates because they are the people I know. Besides, we are not looking for a ruler, all we want is a leader, and Peterside is that leader, which is why everybody must support his candidature.
“We all appreciate the saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Today, we have spoken and God is a witness. It does not matter how many people go to battle with you because our God is a God of minority. What matters is God’s plan. Once your name is mentioned anywhere, God will protect you because He has chosen you for this race. Everybody wants you and I can assure you that you are already there.
“Let me give you a secret. Most people in PDP say they will vote their choices but for governorship, they will vote for that Peterside, the APC candidate who is humble and as beautiful as a woman.
“Your strength as far as I am concerned in this election is that you are humble, God-fearing, respectful and compassionate. Please may these qualities abide with you even in Government House”, he added
Peterside, in his response, said he cannot afford to disappoint traditional rulers and chiefs, men, women, religious leaders, professional bodies and young people who have supported him since he emerged as a candidate.
He promised to continue to uphold qualities of humility, respect, compassion and fear of God in his dealings with fellow men.
He contended that service at any level is a privilege, adding that for that reason, public office holders must be conscious of the fact that in the fullness of time, they will give account to God.

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Easter: DHQ Orders Troop Alert, Confirms US Support

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The Defence Headquarters has placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of tightened security.

The DHQ also reaffirmed that ongoing support from the United States is strengthening counter-terrorism operations, with a visible impact expected in the coming weeks.

Addressing journalists during the end-of-the-month briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, assured citizens of heightened vigilance by troops during the Easter celebrations.

Onoja said the Armed Forces had already placed personnel on alert nationwide to prevent any security breach during the holiday period.

He added that similar measures were implemented during previous festive seasons, including Christmas and Eid-el-Fitr, and would be sustained.

“We know that festive seasons usually have heightened security activities. The military command gives instructions to ensure all personnel are on alert. This time will not be different,” he said.

He emphasised that security agencies would not relax despite the celebrations, noting that adversaries often attempted to exploit such periods.

“I can assure you that we will always be on alert, particularly at this period of festivities, because we know that the threats expect us to relax.

“But we are not going to relax. Everything will be okay for this Easter,” he added.

Speaking on the ongoing collaboration with the US forces, Onoja said the impact of the collaboration may not be immediately visible due to the nature of military engagements, but expressed confidence that the benefits would become evident in the coming weeks and months.

He said the U.S. support to Nigeria’s operations had been significant, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and training, noting that the assistance was being provided on favourable terms to strengthen ongoing counter-threat operations.

According to him, “You are aware that they are bringing intelligence and training support to us, which we need. They are giving that to us on very favourable terms. There are lots of things I cannot say because of confidentiality.”

He added that the intelligence being provided included information on the location of threats and hostile elements, stressing that Nigerian troops would act accordingly.

“All we can say is that these things take time. There is a gestation period when we are conducting military operations.

“You will not see it immediately, but in the next few months or weeks, you will feel the difference in the impact of the assistance that the U.S. is providing,” Onoja stated.

On February 16, 2026, DHQ confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 US military personnel and equipment at Bauchi Airfield.

According to the military high command, the personnel, who are not combat troops, were in Nigeria strictly for technical assistance, training, and advisory roles in counter-terrorism efforts.

However, insecurity has continued to surge in several parts of the country since their deployment, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the collaboration.

 

 

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RSG Pledges Support For Youth Initiative …As Youth Dev Advocate Seeks Policies On Transformational Leadership

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The Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development has restated the State Government’s commitment towards supporting initiative that will empower youth socially and economically in the State.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Ruhoma Kejeh, stated this during the launching of a book titled: ‘A-Z Nuggets of Goal Setting: Discover Winning Ways To Set And Achieve Goals Like a Pro’, in Port Harcourt.

Kejeh said the State Government was committed towards supporting initiative that will empower youth socially and economically in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Head of Department, Youth Education and Counseling, Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Veronica Oborolor,  described the book as a practical guide that will serve as a source of inspiration for youths.

According to her, the book is not only timely and commendable, but comes at a time when many youths face uncertainty in life.

In his remarks, the author of the book and a youth development advocate in Rivers State, Mr. Ibeleogute Emmanuel Ibodeng, called for policies that will promote transformational leadership in the country.

He said transformational leadership comes when the right policies are in place, and described the book as his contribution to human capacity development in Nigeria. 

“This is my book launch. This will serve as my own contribution to human capacity building in this country,” he said.

Ibodeng added that the book will serve as a coaching template and model for emerging leaders, readers and passionate nation builders to coach themselves into excellence and patriotic citizens.

According to him, reading the book and imbibing its message has the capacity to make one a nation builder as it is tailored towards mind transformation and community development.

“My major target is to see that the leaders who come after this set will have their minds tuned after transformational leadership, and not just the kind of leadership we are used to today,” he said.

Also speaking, the guest speaker, Mrs. Uche Etiaba, said rather than relying on false hope and partisan politics, Nigerian youths should set clear goals and work out ways of achieving them.

Etiaba also described the book as a masterpiece, adding that vision without structure is like a mere dream.

She, however, blamed systemic failure as Nigeria’s major problem, arguing that the nation is experiencing high youth unemployment because the nation’s education system does not align with the job market.

According to her, there must be an alignment across all levels of our national life.

The event attracted people across all works of life.

 

John Bibor

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Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Recover Rifles In Rivers

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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding lives and property, following a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the State.

Adepoju said this in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko which was made available to the Press in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

The police boss, in the statement, noted that the recent operation underscores the resolve of the command to intensify intelligence-driven policing and dismantle criminal networks operating within the State.

“Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command recorded the success after foiling an attempted abduction in Port Harcourt, leading to the arrest of a suspected gang member and recovery of arms and ammunition”, it said.

The incident, according to the statement, occurred in the early hours of March 20 when a 35-year-old resident, Fadi Nasser, raised the alarm over an invasion of his residence along Orogbum Crescent, Woji Road, in the Government Reserved Area of the state capital.

According to Police sources, the armed assailants attempted to abduct the victim and opened fire during the attack, creating panic in the neighbourhood.

“The victim, however, managed to escape unhurt, an outcome described by security operatives as both fortunate and instrumental in enabling a swift response by the police”, it said.

Investigations gained momentum after a mobile phone suspected to belong to one of the attackers was recovered at the scene, providing a critical lead for operatives.

Acting on the intelligence, officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit based in Aluu deployed technical resources to track the device, which led to the arrest of one Joseph Abibo, identified as a member of the gang.

During interrogation, the suspect, the statement revealed, reportedly confessed and provided useful information that guided operatives to the gang’s hideout within the State.

Police sources also disclosed that upon arrival at the location, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from other members of the gang, prompting a fierce exchange.

The Police team, however, overpowered the criminals, forcing several of them to flee, with about six suspects escaping into a nearby river with gunshot wounds.

The police revealed that a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 108 rounds of live ammunition, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover more weapons.

 

King Onunwor

 

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