Politics
Cleric Advises Youth To Shun Violence At Polls
A Christian cleric, Bishop Augustine Numene John-Miller has called on youth in Rivers State to refrain from being used by self-seeking politicians to cause violence in the 2019 general elections.
John-Miller, made the call during an exclusive chat with The Tide shortly after two groups, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), USA, Chicago Chapter and Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP), USA donated over two thousand books to a public library in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State at the weekend.
John-Miller, who is a Trustee, MOSOP USA said violent behaviour does not pay, pointing out that as leaders of tomorrow, the youths should embrace education and come to the realisation that there are opportunities before them, expressing sadness that Ogoni land has become one of the flashpoints of violence during elections in recent times.
According to him, “My advice to the youths is that they should know that such violent behaviour is not worth it. Because they are supposed to enlighten our people.
“As leaders of tomorrow, they should go to school, study and know there opportunities are in front as future leaders.
“I am appealing to our youths who are being used by some politicians not to yield themselves to situations that will destroy the fabric of our people, the communities and the state. We want elections to be peaceful,” he stated.
John-Miller stressed that the choice of the people should prevail, instead of key actors employing threats and intimidation to crisis, saying that is not democracy.
“Let everything go smoothly and let there be peace in ogoni land and Rivers State.
“Our leaders should show good examples by preaching peace so that the forth-coming elections and the subsequent ones will also be devoid of violence because there will always be elections.
“There is no need approaching elections with a do or die attitude,” he said, adding that whoever wins should thank God and see it as an opportunity to serve the people, anyone who loses should look forward that another opportunity will come for him to probably emerge victorious, he said”.
Dennis Naku
Politics
Islamic Leaders Blame Nigeria’s Woes On Leadership Failure
Islamic leaders in Rivers State have blamed the underdevelopment and high level of poverty in Nigeria on greed and bad leadership.
They also called for an end to the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
The Islamic clerics who spoke to newsmen at the just concluded Eidel Fitri prayers at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, regretted the high level of poverty in the country inspite of the country’s enormous resources.
The Vice President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Awelegbe Uhor, condemned the lingering political crisis in the state, adding that, if not checked, the situation could derail development efforts.
Alhaji Uhor also stressed the need for the various political parties in the state to work with Governor Siminalaye Fubara to move the state foreward.
He said Governor Fubara meant well for the state, adding that Rivers Moslems were beneficiaries of the policies and programmes of the current administration in the state.
Alhaji Uhor, who blamed the ravaging poverty in the country on greed, noted Nigeria has enough resources to make every body rich in the country.
He also said that Nigeria did not need to vote for any president based on religion, adding that moslems and Christians had been ruling the country since independence and the situation had not changed.
Also speaking the leader of Rivers state Moslems, Alhaji Suleiman Akani, warned that Rivers Moslems would not tolerate any impeachment against Governor Fubara.
Alhaji Akani described Governor Fubara as one of the most Moslems friendly governor since the inception of the state.
He said the governor had not neglected the moslems community since the inception of his administration, stressing that some Moslem umars have been sponsored for pilgrimage by the administration.
According to him, “Apart from Odili, this is the most Moslems friendly governor.
We moslems have benefitted so much from the present administration in the state.”
On his part, the Chief Imam of the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul Malik Yahaya, called on Nigerians to cultivate the virtue of love for one another, stressing that the message of Salah was about love for one another.
He also called on Moslems to show love, not only to fellow Moslems alone, but to people of other faith as well.
Meanwhile the sole Administrator of the Rivers State Moslem Pilgrims welfare Board, Alhaji Abdul Rasaq Diepriye, has commended Governor Fubara for being the first governor in the country to sponsor Moslems to the Haj.
He said that it was the first time in several years that Rivers Moslems had felt a sense of belonging.
Alhaji Diepriye assured of the continuous support of the Moslem community to the administration.
By: John Bibor
Politics
Rivers PDP Chieftain Hails Fubara’s Leadership Qualities
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area, Warisenibo Tonye Fubara, has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon Edison Ehie, as leaders with unbeatable transformational agenda.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port Harcourt, Warisenibo Fubara said that they are astute, patriotic and typify leaders with quality mindset Nigerians, especially Rivers people yearn for, as far as purposeful, profit oriented and development -innovative governance is concerned.
He said: “Insecurity, political crisis, hunger and marginalization have become a cankerworms that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the oil and gas -rich state, in particular and the country in general.
He maintained that since Governor Siminalayi Fubara took over the mantle of leadership of the state in May, last year, till now, there has been relative peace across the state, noting that the political crisis in the state orchestrated by some mischief makers and greedy politicians was regrettable.
Warisenibo Fubara, a grassroot mobiliser in Opobo/Nkoro Ward 5, further hailed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie for successfully triumphing over dictatorial leadership, describing them as “development pathfinders of our generation.”
He pointed out that Governor Fubara and his team were committed in the task of governing the state in the best interest of the state and its people, not minding the negative and unproductive distractions of those who do not wish the state and its people well.
Meanwhile, Warisenibo Tonye Fubara has enjoined Rivers people to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara to provide the needed democratic dividends for all and sundry, adding that they should stand their ground to resist any attempt by the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule -led Rivers State House of Assembly who threatened to impeach the Governor for vain glory and selfish ambition, without following the rule of law, as to please their pay masters.
By: Bethel Toby
Politics
Fubara’s Victory Thanksgiving: Semenitari Challenges Okocha Over Funding Allegation
Former Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has challenged the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, to show proof that Governor Siminalaye Fubara is funding the thanksgiving services being held across the 23 local government areas in the state by the Simplified Movement.
Mrs Semenitari who said this during the thanksgiving service organized by the Okrika Local Government Area chapter of the Simplified Movement explained that the event was sponsored by simple people from the local government areas who are happy with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the election victory of the governor.
She said what Rivers people should focus on his good governance, adding that Governor Fubara had shown commitment to keeping to his promises to Rivers people.
“The Rivers State Government is not spending a dime. I challenge him (Okocha) to bring out proof of Rivers State Government funding the thanksgiving service. It is a simple event funded by simple people”, she said.
Mrs Semenitari, who was also a one time Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the occasion was an opportunity for Rivers people to show appreciation to God for what He had done in Rivers State.
‘It is an opportunity to say to God, we are grateful; that we are grateful to God for the victory without rancour; we are grateful that we have the opportunity to celebrate a Governor who had a peaceful disposition. But beyond that, also a prayer by Rivers people that we are tired, we don’t want any more crisis.
“We want our state to progress. We have a Governor who is committed to driving development across every local government area. For us, that is what matters” she said.
By: John Bibor
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