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Omoku Killings: RSG Donates N50m To One-Year-Old Orphan …Says Nigerians Unhappy With Nation’s Direction
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday announced the setting aisde of N50million for the education and up keep of a one-year girl, Purity Anthony whose father and mother were killed in the attack by late Don Waney in Omoku in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Wike who made the proclamation during a security meeting held at the ONELGA Council Secretariat said the manner that Don Waney met his untimely end, indicates that nobody will escape the long arm of the law, irrespective of the charms he or she possesses.
While thanking the local vigilante group, OSPAC for its contributions to the restoration of peace and the dislodgement of Don Waney, he warned them against following the criminal route, as they will suffer the Don Waney fate.
He said that Don Waney’s reign of terror lasted throughout the leadership of Amaechi, pointing out that he was eliminated as a result of the commitment of his administration.
Wike assured the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) that the state government will continue to build the security infrastructure in the area to enforce peace.
He stated that the younger brother of slain cultist, Don Waney, Mr Oluchi Igwedibia will soon be tracked down alongside other fleeing members of the Don Waney clan for the greater peace of ONELGA
The Governor who was accompanied by service commanders in the state revealed that Rivers APC leaders have approached the 32 cultists declared wanted, asking them to join their political platform ahead of the electioneering period.
He stated that his administration will not be deterred by the political antics of Rivers APC, saying that the deadly cultists will be traced and brought to justice.
“Nobody should play politics with security of lives. Since we declared these cultists wanted, they have approached them to work with them. Whether or not they work with APC, they will meet their waterloo”, he said.
He urged the people of ONELGA to work with the Rivers State Government to ensure that the area remains peaceful, so that the people can recover from the devastation of the past.
The governor said everyone must work together to build the peace of ONELGA to avoid a repeat of the New Year tragedy.
He said: “I am here today to further express my condolences to the families that lost loved ones and also express my sympathy to the injured. Like I said before, the Rivers State Government will foot the hospital bills of the injured and support the families of the deceased “.
Commenting on the politicisation of Rivers security by the Minister of Transportation, the governor regretted that the Minister has devoted his days at the Federal Executive Council to creating crisis in the state.
He listed several projects that he attracted to the state as a Minister of State for Education and wondered why the Minister of Transportation has failed alongside his godson, the Director General of NIMASA.
He informed ONELGA people that he has reached agreements with Agip and Total on their corporate social responsibility to the host communities. He said that the State Service Commanders and the Secretary to the Rivers State Government met with Agip and Total yesterday to finalise the process for the implementation of agreements reached.
Governor Wike announced that all projects started in ONELGA would be completed and more projects would be initiated for the people.
Earlier, Chairman of ONELGA, Mr Osi Olisa said that the people of the area will continue to work with the Rivers State Governor to entrench peace in the area.
He said that ONELGA remains loyal to the Rivers State Governor beyond 2019 because of his achievements.
Meanwhile, Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that most Nigerians are unhappy with the direction that the country is headed under the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, especially the unending killings and shedding of innocent blood across the country.
He warned that Nigerians must never forget to draw from the trials and experience of the Civil War to avoid making mistakes that will push the country into another civil war.
Speaking during the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Harcourt, last Monday, Wike said that President Muhammadu Buhari must take steps to give every section of the country a sense of belonging to entrench peace in the country.
He said: “Mr President must match his commitment not only with responsible actions but also stop the state sanctioned marginalization that is fuelling most of the avoidable crisis in the polity by giving every section of the country a sense of belonging and justice.
“For, not many Nigerians are happy with the current state of the nation, especially, the direction it is headed and the unending killings and shedding of innocent blood across the country”.
While paying tribute to the military personnel who laid down their lives for the unity of the country, Wike prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.
“Beyond prayers, we must also comfort and extend genuine love to the members of the families they left behind, who in most cases, single-handedly bear the brunt and pains of losing loved ones while serving the country”, the governor said.
He lauded the President for efforts at tackling internal security challenges, particularly the ongoing war to free the North-East from the scourge of Boko Haram insurgency.
The governor assured that the Rivers State Government will continue to support the ex-servicemen and serving military personnel.
He directed the immediate release of N100million to the Rivers State Legion to support widows of deceased ex-servicemen to set up businesses.
An official of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State, Col Wilberforce Josiah commended Wike for his commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen and women in the state.
Highpoint of the occasion was the laying of wreaths by Wike, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Lamikanra.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Enobong Udoh led other military commanders to lay wreaths.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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