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AIPS, Others Laud Wike On Sports Dev …As Gov Bags ‘Power Of Sports’ Award In Brussels
President, International Sports Press Association(AIPS), Gianni Merlo has commended Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his commitment to sports development.
Speaking during a brief meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the sidelines, AIPS Congress (Belgium 2018) Cocktail in Brussels on Monday night, Mr Merlo said that sports invrstments made by Governor Wike are worthy of recognition.
The AIPS President particularly commended Governor Wike for the decision to set up a Real Madrid Football Academy in Rivers State, pointing out that it will develop international stars from Nigeria.
Also speaking during the meeting, International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS) Africa, President, Mitchell Obi said ths association is proud to honour the Rivers State Governor for his outstanding developmental strides in the area of sports.
President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo said that Governor Wike by his contributions to sports development, has placed Nigeria on the international sporting map.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Austin Opara said that Governor Wike has continued to live up to the expectations of Rivers people by his outstanding achievements .
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that under the leadership of Governor Wike, sports development has been given a new meaning to the advantage of the youths.
Senator George Thompson Sekibo said the benefits of Governor Wike’s quality investments in sports will be manifest in the coming years. He said the governor merits the recognition by AIPS.
Rivers State Commissioner of Sports, Mr Boma Iyaye and Majority Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi said following the outstanding performance of Governor Wike in sports development, Rivers State has become an international reference point.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Glory Emeh noted that sports development has been effectively used as a tool of empowerment by Governor Wike.
Speaking during the meeting on the sidelines of the cocktail, Governor Wike assured that his administration will continue to invest in sports to empower the youths.
He said that the Real Madrid Football Academy will be actualised by his administration to create avenues for Rivers youths to further excel.
The governor who was accompanied to Brussels by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike to receive the AIPs Africa “Power of Sports “ Award noted that he remains committed to the holistic transformation of Rivers State.
Governor Wike will be honoured with the Power of Sports Award by AIPs Africa on Wednesday
He is also expected to deliver a lecture on the topic: ‘Peace and Progress through Sports in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria’ to the full house of the 94-year-old International Sports Press Association (AIPS) comprising no fewer than 108 countries on Wednesday , May 9, 2018.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has described Governor Nyesom Wike as an undisputable Pillar of Sports in the State and Nigeria at large.
Bro. Obuah stated this in a goodwill message to Governor Wike following the conferment of the prestigious Power of Sports (POS) Award on him by the International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS), in far away Brussels, Belgium yesterday.
Bro. Obuah praised Governor Wike for the harvest of awards and described the development as a testimony of the Governor’s untiring quest for sports development in the State and Nigeria at large.
Bro. Obuah said the Africa POS Award on the Governor has marked him out as a brand ambassador of sports development as according to him; the feat comes on the heels of a flurry of sporting achievements including the successful hosting of the African Wrestling Championship which has been adjudged the best in the continent in recent times.
“For me, this award is very significant for two reasons. One, the President of AIPS, Mr. Mitchell Obi is an icon in sports journalism and one of Africa’s best, and I deem it a privilege that the good works being done by Mr. Projects have continued to draw the attention of the international community.
“Two, the 94 year- old body (AIPS) commands an enviable pedigree with membership drawn across no fewer than 108 countries. For me it’s a great honour and a no mean achievement for His Excellency and I am proud of him”, said Bro. Obuah.
Bro. Obuah who is also the President/Sole Sponsor of Go-Round Football Club of Omoku, expressed confidence that the Award would spur Governor Wike for greater enthusiasm as he continues to unfold his master plan to make Rivers State the sports hub of the nation.
The PDP boss who is also Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) praised Governor Wike for his policy of developing other segments of sports and urged him to keep up the tempo, assuring that posterity would certainly celebrate him among the heroes of the State.
He called on the people of the State to continue to support the Governor who is working assiduously to make life meaningful for everyone irrespective of party affiliation.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
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RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor