Nation
POWA Empowers Slain Police Officers’ Widows In Nasarawa
The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Nasarawa State chapter, has empowered 25 widows of slain officers with various items worth millions of naira to ameliorate their plights and improved their livelihood.
State Chairperson of POWA and wife of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Chuza Longe, presented the items to widows at an award ceremony yesterday in Lafia.
The items distributed included 18 grinding machines, two sewing machines and five hair dryers.
Longe said that the gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardship being experienced by the widows whose husbands were killed in the line of duty on national assignments.
She said that the award ceremony was also to appreciate, celebrate and support the serving officers to give in their best in the service of the nation.
“Apart from celebrating our husbands, we are also empowering the widows whose husbands died in active service.
“So, we are able to bring together grinding machines, sewing machines, hair dryers and other items we can’t disclose here due to want of time.
“We want to tell the officers who died that we love and celebrate them even in death,” she said.
The chairperson appreciated the state Governor, Abdullahi Sule for his achievements so far and for various support to the association.
In his remarks, the governor lauded POWA for its humanitarian gesture at alleviating the sufferings of widows among them.
Sule also donated N1million, 50 bags of rice, 75 bags of Semolina, 10 cartoons of spaghetti, 10 cartons of Indomie noodles and 100 bags of sugar to assist the widows.
The governor thanked the Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, and his team for their efforts toward combating crime in the state.
“I want to thank a pastor, a man of God, the professional police officer, CP Bola Longe, for the wonderful things he has continued to do for Nasarawa State and for Nigeria at large.
“You and your team have redefined protection of citizens when it comes to police affairs in Nasarawa State,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police said the event which was the maiden edition in the state was meant to recognise those who had contributed to successes recorded in the fight against criminality.
Longe thanked the governor for his support to the command to enable them carry out their job of protecting lives and property in the state.
The event also featured presentation of the award of Transformative Leader to thegovernor, while the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, bagged the award of Rare Achiever.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor