Connect with us

Featured

Election Malpractice: Sanction Erring Members, Wike Tells Church …Urges Christians To Participate In Politics …Gives Traders, NURTW One Month To Vacate Roads

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the Church to sanction members involved in electoral malpractice.
Addressing the 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North at Saint Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt yesterday, Governor Wike said that clerics should never be associated with illegal political activities.
“How do you imagine a cleric hijacking ballot boxes? When we say that Christians should participate in politics, it is not for them to do illegal things.
“The church should discipline members who are involved in electoral malpractice. This will deter others planning to do same”, he said.
He reiterated his call for Christians to be involved in active politics to stop the emergence of unqualified leaders in the country.
The Governor said that the bad economy that has crippled the country at the federal level is due to the fact that unqualified people are controlling that level of government.
While commending the creativity of the diocese for investing in productive ventures, Governor Wike announced support for the Church projects.
In a sermon, Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev Henry Okeke said Christians must use their positions to propagate the gospel and improve the lives of others.
He warned Christian leaders never to bow to pressure and intimidation, as they have a duty to help in defending the faith from the forces of darkness.
The cleric said Christian leaders who find themselves in governance, civil service and business should use their positions to defend the future of their communities.
Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo prayed God to protect the Governor and grant him strength and good health to successfully conclude his second term.
The 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North witnessed the rendition of soul lifting hymns and awards to deserving members.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has appealed to Christian leaders to participate in the political process to help in the development of the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said Christian leaders can no longer stay away from the political arena in view of present day realities.
“Continue to pray for us, but encourage your members to participate actively in politics.
“There is no reason to stand aloof at this time. When religious people are involved in politics, there is always a difference. If they participate, there will be an improvement in the governance process”.
Wike acknowledged the role played by the church in his victory at the polls.
The governor said that his administration will continue to partner with the church as it works towards the rapid development of the state.
He commended the Anglican Diocese of the Niger Delta North for critical investments and projects that will help in stabilizing the church.
Earlier, the Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt. Reverend Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, had said that the governor’s victory is a loud statement by Rivers people that they appreciate his performance.
He said: “Your electoral victory is a lesson to all to keep faith in all legitimate pursuits”.
While commending the governor for his commitment to a better second term, Bishop Ihunwo prayed God to give Wike the grace to end well.
Prayers were said for a successful second term for Wike while the bishop specifically blessed the governor.
In another development, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has given roadside mechanics, roadside car dealers, street traders and private taxi park operators, a month ultimatum to vacate the streets of Port Harcourt.
Addressing roadside mechanics, roadside car dealers, street traders and private taxi park operators at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said that the artisans and traders must comply with the stipulated period, because his administration was committed to the restoration of the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
He said: “I am giving all groups one month to leave the roads. Within this one month, you should find alternative locations to carry out your businesses.
“By the first week of July, the State Government will swing into action. Port Harcourt must be clean, whether you like it or not”.
Wike said that he called the meeting to avoid unnecessary conflict and to negotiate the time for all the traders, mechanics and car dealers to leave the roads.
“We have called this meeting to avoid conflict. I called you to discuss the time frame for the implementation and not to change the decision.
“Our roads are now mechanic Workshops. Our roads are now markets and motor parks. There is this spirit that makes the traders and mechanics believe that you can only make money on the road. We will end that spirit.
“Your activities litter the road. There will be consequences for mechanics using the road for their trade after the one month period. The vehicles being repaired will be seized”, he said.
The governor added that the state government will not allow the operation of illegal motor parks and car shops along the road.
He said that the Police and other security agencies have been co-opted to serve on the implementation process.
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Usman Belel assured that the police will work with the state government to ensure that the artisans leave the roads.
Representatives of the car dealers, motor park operators, mechanics and traders requested different time frame to vacate the roads.

Continue Reading

Featured

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

Published

on

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.

 

 

Continue Reading

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

on

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

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

on

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.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending