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Insecurity: We Must Re-Jig Security Architecture -Wike …Flags Off Bolo Internal Roads Construction …Says He Won’t Go To Abuja To Beg For 2nd Term

Published

8 years ago

June 29, 2018

Worried by the unprecedented insecurity and unwarranted attacks on unarmed communities by herdsmen, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called for the immediate re-jigging of the nation’s security architecture.
Also, the management of Businessday Newspaper has announced the nomination of Wike as “Businessday Governor of the Year 2017”.
Speaking when he received the management of Businessday Newspaper at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the current approach to national security was no longer functional.
He said: “This time, criminality is targeted at some communities. Every time when they kill over a hundred innocent Nigerians, the security agencies claim that three persons have been arrested.
“After the deaths, they announced that Special Forces have been deployed to invaded communities. Will the Special Forces revive the slain persons?
“We must talk of re-jigging the security architecture. The present setting is not yielding results. We must introduce persons with new ideas and new thinking to check the ugly trend of insecurity”.
He regretted that most of his colleagues (governors) are not interested in working for the people as they are more concerned with battling for second term.
According him, some governors rather than stand for the people in terms of the growing insecurity, prefer to hobnob with the President, begging for second term support.
On the Businessday Newspaper Governor of the Year Award, the governor said that it would spur him to greater service.
While dedicating the award to the people of Rivers State, Wike noted that the success of his administration was a function of the support of the people.
Earlier, Publisher of Businessday Newspaper, Mr Frank Aigbogun said that Wike emerged Governor of the Year because of his outstanding developmental strides.
He said that the organisation researched into key performance indicators and reached the verifiable resolution that Wike deserves the honour.
Aigbogun said the award ceremony would hold in Abuja July 19, 2018.
He said that Businessday Newspaper would collaborate with the Rivers State Government to hold an investment summit to drive economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has flagged off the construction of Bolo internal roads in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.
Performing the flag off, yesterday, Wike said that the construction of Bolo internal roads would improve the living condition of the people.
He said: “I am here to flag off the Bolo internal roads to make life more meaningful for Bolo people.”
The governor said that funds have been set aside for the project, pointing out that the contract was awarded to local contractors as a form of empowerment.
“If you don’t do the work, you will face consequences. I believe that the contractors will execute the contract”, he said.
The governor charged leaders to invest in the development of their respective states, instead relying on Abuja to manipulate the electoral process for them.
He noted that he would remain in Rivers State to discharge his responsibilities to the people because he was exercising their mandate.
The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George Kerley said the roads would be made of reinforced concrete because of the nature of the terrain of the area.
Speaking on behalf of the political class of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Senator George Sekibo assured the Rivers State governor of their commitment to work for his re-election.
Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Navy Capt Erasmus Victor (rtd) said that the commencement of the construction of Bolo internal roads was a worthy gift to the people of the area.
“The Ogu/Bolo people will remain eternally grateful to the Rivers State governor for this project. The projects of Governor Wike are visible across the state and we are happy that we are beneficiaries of his projects delivery”, he said.
The Ogu/Bolo council of chiefs presented traditional gifts to Wike, while guests were entertained to traditional dances.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says he would never go to Abuja to beg anybody to endorse him to go for second term in office.
The governor stated this yesterday at a flag off ceremony of internal roads in Bolo, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike expressed disappointment that some sitting governors no longer stay in their states but stay in Abuja to beg and lobby for second term in office.
He said the power to actualise second term in office was in the hands of God, stressing that he would remain in the state to do the job for which he was elected by the people.
The governor said that the problem we have in the country is that the people do not hold those elected into positions accountable to their promises.
“The only way you can hold them responsible when they come back you ask them, the former promise you made you did not do it”, the Governor said.
Wike maintained that nobody can intimidate or blackmail him to go to Abuja to beg so as to achieve a second term.
The governor said, “So, many governors now don’t stay in their states. They go to Abuja.
Wike told the people of Bolo that the fag off ceremony was in fulfilment of the promise he made to them.
“We have come to fulfill our promise here to flag off the internal roads so that life can be better for the people”.
He said the people of Bolo deserve more projects because they fulfilled the promise they made to him and have strongly supported his administration.
Reacting to a request by the people of the area to extend the length of the road, the governor immediately directed the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special projects, George-Kelly Alaso to go black and include the extension and bring the new specification to his table for consideration.
He charged the contractor handling the project to ensure that standard job was delivered.
Wike commended the political leaders in the area for working in unity and stressed the need for people of the area to support the contractor so that the project would be delivered as early as targeted.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, George- Kelly Alaso said the project was a 4.9-kilometer road with 5-kilometer drainage, adding that it would be completed in five months.
Speaking on behalf of the political class, the political leader of the area, Senator George Sekibo, commenced Wike for the great works he has done in the state and particularly for Ogu/Bolo people.
The senator said, “We appreciate your efforts in the state, you have done extremely well. As Wakrike people, we came to Government House and gave you a promise and on that promise we still stand”.
The Chief Whip of Rivers State House of Assembly, who represents the area, Hon Evans Bipi, commended the governor for the project, and said the project would enhance socio-economic development of the area.
Bipi reassured the governor of the sustained support of the people to his administration, adding that 100 per cent vote of the people would be delivered to the governor in 2019 should he accept to run for a second term in office.

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RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

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2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.