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Support Wike, Odili Tells Rivers People …As Buhari Hails Ex-Gov At 70

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Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili has called on all Rivers people, irrespective of political affiliation to totally support Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to consolidate on the rapid rise of a New Rivers State.
This is as the Chaplain of Our Lady of Holy Chaplaincy of Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Rev Monsignor Pius Kii stated that lowest point in the 70 years of former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili was when his political godson, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi attempted to destroy his political life through a kangaroo Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Both leaders spoke at the Special Thanksgiving Mass for the 70th Birthday Celebration of Dr Peter Odili organised by the Rivers State Government at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili declared: “Let me use this opportunity to request our people, all Rivers men and women, our chiefs and the entire political class, everybody that is proud to be identified and called a Rivers man or woman, to give your total support to this governor.
“I am not saying it from a political position. I am talking from the position of an elder-statesman. This is because, with his leadership, we can achieve total cohesion and unity of our people. Once that is achieved, the sky is the take off point for the New Rivers State that he is building “.
Odili described Wike as a loyal politician who was outstanding in his commitment to the development of Rivers State.
“I have been governor, I have worked under governors and I have seen governors after me. This man is unique.
“Just to tell you that of all the people we have worked politically with, from way back in the eighties. Nobody in the political terrain can compete with this governor”, Odili said.
He thanked Wike for initiating the celebration of his 70th Birthday, noting that the family had planned for a private low-key celebration.
In his homily, the Chaplain of Our Lady of Holy Chaplaincy of Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Rev Monsignor Pius Kii said despite betrayals by the likes of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Wike stood by Odili.
Kii said: “One of Odili’s lowest moments was when he was dragged by one of his erstwhile sons to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by the Rotimi Amaechi administration aimed at damaging his reputation and preventing him from holding political offices.
“Despite these betrayals, we are grateful to God that some remain loyal sons, particularly His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and countless others in the state and in the country.
“Having the love of one like Governor Wike is having the love of many. For one with Wike is majority. For in him, God put 10 men in one man. Your Excellency, Dr Peter Odili, be rest assured that those who are for you and with you are more than those who have abandoned you”, Kii said.
The cleric declared that Dr Peter Odili spiritualised political language, noting that he invoked God at all times.
He added that Odili never used his investments and appearances in churches for political opportunities.
Kii said that Wike has taken over from Odili, developing the Christian faith and embarking on massive developmental projects.
Highpoint of the Holy Mass was the cutting of the 70th Birthday Cake provided by Knights of the Catholic Church.
The Holy Mass was attended by former governors, serving National Assembly members, former ministers, traditional rulers, jurists and prominent leaders of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his good wishes to former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.
A statement by his media office, yesterday, said “President Buhari recognises the important contributions the celebrant and prominent political figure has made to the development of his immediate community, home state, the Niger Delta, the nation and humanity as a physician and third governor of Rivers State.
“As a statesman and Knight Commander of the Order of St Sylvester in the Catholic Church, the President appreciates Sir Odili’s role in fostering peaceful and harmonious environment in the wider Niger Delta region through peaceful engagement and meaningful dialogue, in line with this administration’s commitment to peace, stability and development in the region.
“As family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers gather to celebrate Dr Odili’s milestones and achievements, President Buhari prays God almighty to sustain him with continued good health and fulfillment in the coming years”, the statement added.

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Rivers Capable Of Delivering Massive Votes For Tinubu, Chinda, Others -Fubara …Charges APC, Rainbow Coalition To Embrace Team Work

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the  State is capable of delivering massive votes for President Bola Tinubu,  the  All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda and other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 general elections.

Fubara, who stated this yesterday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Port Harcourt, said the surest path to victory is for the  members of the Presidential Campaign Council drawn from the APC and the Rainbow Coalition to embrace the spirit of teamwork.

He said what the state was witnessing in the current political season is a repeat of the successful mobilization done in 2022 and 2023, when a large campaign council worked in unity to deliver victory for him and for President Tinubu.

He added that the present council is bigger, wider and better coordinated and should therefore achieve even better results.

He noted that the beauty of the new council is the fact that some persons who were in the opposition camp during the previous elections are now part of the team, saying their inclusion has made the task easier, provided everyone works as one team and with sincerity of purpose.

The governor thanked the  Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council for Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, and other leaders who worked tirelessly to bring the council to fruition, stressing that nothing  is impossible especially when people work together for a common purpose.

He expressed optimism that with seriousness and commitment, the state would record a higher number of votes than it recorded in 2023.

Fubara, while congratulating members who made the list, appealed to those whose names were omitted not to be discouraged, as there are still sub-committees to be constituted and the list can still be updated, even as he warned against double loyalty.

He said the state has gone past the stage of division and is now looking to the future and what God holds for Rivers people, expressing confidence that with the strategy already put in place, the APC and the Rainbow Coalition would come out victorious in 2027.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Coordinator of the Campaign Council, Chief Nyesom Wike, while  inaugurating the Council, lauded Fubara for finding time to attend the ceremony and other engagements of the Council in spite of his busy schedules.

Wike, who is also the National Leader of the PDP/ Rainbow Coalition, reminded members of the Council that they were chosen based on their capacity to participate  in the activities of the group and deliver positive results.

He charged them to work hard to win votes for the candidates of the APC and the Rainbow Coalition for the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly as well as State House of Assembly elections next year.

He disclosed that apart from the Presidential Campaign Council and its sub-committees, the Local Government Campaign Councils will soon be inaugurated to ensure better coverage of the grassroots during the current campaign season.

 

 

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RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

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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

 

 

 

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APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

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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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