News
Non-Indigenes Part Of Rivers -Wike …Explains Role In Foiled Judge’s Arrest
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged the huge contributions made by non-indigenes since the state was created 49 years ago.
Speaking when he played host to Indigenes Without Borders (IWB) led by their National President, Hon Chukwuemeka Onowu at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said the dichotomy between non-indigenes and indigenes was gradually phasing away because of the contributions they have made over the years.
“The state is made up of those who do business in the state and those who stay in the state…and it has been the policy of this administration to always involve non-indigenes because they pay their taxes and contribute to the development of the state.”
Against this backdrop, he averred that all persons who reside and do business in the state have equal participation in the government and development of the state.
He assured them that they will be included in the committee that will organize the state’s 50 years anniversary next year, noting “Rivers State is great today because you contributed.”
The governor noted that non-indigenes play a critical role in the politics of the state because of their population.
Wike explained that he took a deliberate decision to always accommodate non-indigenes in the local government caretaker committees to give them a sense of belonging.
“I commend the non-indigenes for standing by me during the election despite the negative propaganda by the opposition. I thank you for closing your ears to the concocted lies of the opposition.
“Now that the food is ready, non-indigenes are entitled to the benefit of their support. They will always benefit from good governance in this state”.
On his part, the National President of Indigenes Without Borders, Hon Chukwuemeka Onowu, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for ensuring that non-indigenes in the state benefit directly from projects and programmes of his administration.
He said, “they claimed during the campaign that Wike would chase away non-indigenes from the state. Today, the truth is out, and their false propaganda has been exposed.
“Non-indigenes have never had it so good in Rivers State. Today, we have a chief judge, a Commissioner, Caretaker Committee members, senior aides to the governor, and our members have benefitted from the empowerment programmes to traders and artisans.”
He said that the Wike administration has been demonstrated fairness and love in all her dealings with non-indigenes since 2015.
As a mark of their appreciation, the Indigenes Without Borders, chaired by Hon Emeka Onowu, presented an award of excellence to Governor Wike for his superlative performance.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike has defended why he and other top state officials intervened in the attempt by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) to arrest a Federal High Court judge in the state.
He told members of Indigenes Without Borders, who visited him, yesterday, in Government House, Port Harcourt that, “I did not prevent anybody from doing their duty but as the chief security officer, I would not watch people cause insecurity. If you are genuine, you should not take odd hours to arrest somebody. I am not supporting any judge who is corrupt, but I believe we should do things in line with due process.”
Wike dismissed the blackmail and propaganda against him over the incident, and warned that attempt to rig the rerun elections will be resisted by the people.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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