Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, have reaffirmed their resolve to remain united under the Rainbow Coalition, in order to deliver victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governorship candidate of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, in the 2027 general elections.

Fubara declared the unity of purpose on Tuesday while unveiling candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the State, at a colourful ceremony held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The governor, who called for an end to factional leadership in the State’s political family, pleaded with his teeming supporters to allow the lingering issue of divided loyalty to be put to rest permanently.

According to him, the Rainbow Coalition has a common leader and “General Overseer” in the person of Chief Nyesom Wike, a position he said, must be respected by all members going forward in the interest of unity, peace and the electoral fortunes of the group.

This was made known in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, on Tuesday.

Fubara described the event as an emotional homecoming to his political family, stating that he would not have become Governor if God had not used Wike and other leaders of the family to make it possible.

He expressed gratitude to God that despite past disagreements, the family is back together for the good of the State.

He pledged his full commitment to the coalition, vowing to deploy all his energy and resources to ensure victory for President Tinubu, whom he credited for standing by him during his most difficult political tribulations.

The governor said it was a rare honour for him to unveil the candidates who will contest under the Rainbow Coalition platform, expressing strong optimism that they will cruise to a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections.

At the ceremony, Fubara presented flags to the candidates for various elective offices, while the main event was the unveiling of Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda and Hon. Major Jack as governorship and deputy governorship candidates, respectively.

In an acceptance speech, Chinda said that Rivers State was set to make positive history by returning President Tinubu for a second term.

Chinda, who spoke on behalf of candidates of the six political parties that make up the Rainbow Coalition, said the coalition represents a new political order in Rivers State where party lines have been collapsed for a singular vision and purpose driven by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

He noted that the coalition has put an end to the winner-takes-all politics, as all parties have peacefully agreed even before the elections to work together to take Rivers State to the next level.

Chinda assured that if elected, his administration would run an inclusive government that accommodates all political parties, gender and religion, with the interest of Rivers people as its top priority.

He expressed appreciation to Fubara for handing over the flags of authority to the candidates and commended all leaders of the State for restoring peace, assuring that Rivers State will witness peaceful elections, peaceful transition, fruitful administration and major landmark projects in the coming political dispensation.

Wike, who is the leader of the Rainbow Coalition, charged Rivers people to stand solidly with Tinubu and all the candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming general elections.

According to him, the State will achieve greater development if the people work together towards a common vision and a common purpose.

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), through its Directorate of Research and Development, has trained lecturers and Postgraduate Students on scholarly writing and research commercialisation.

The three-day Training Workshop, themed, “Research Commercialisation and Digital Project Supervision”, which kicked-off on October 13, 2026, provided an opportunity to strengthen lecturers’ research capacity, in addition to embracing innovative approaches to academic practice, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, which quoted the Director of Research and Development, Professor Nduka Wonu.

The Director noted that the discussions focused on supporting students and lecturers to improve academic writing and publication through effective mentorship and the development of publication-ready research teams.

It also focused on supervising research projects smarter with digital systems by leveraging digital dashboards, cloud collaboration and project tracking tools to improve supervision and feedback.

According to the Director, the discussions further “focused on setting standards for the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence among academics to promote academic integrity and guide the appropriate use of emerging technologies.

“Finally, on writing concept notes and grant proposals, identifying funding opportunities and building partnerships to strengthen research funding, collaboration, commercialisation and societal impact.”

These focus areas, he said, are essential for improving research productivity, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the University’s research profile.

Professor Wonu encouraged all to participate actively, share experiences and apply the knowledge gained in teaching, supervision and research activities.

While declaring the workshop open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, praised the Directorate for the training programme, which he emphasised is very important for research ethics and the growth of academic staff.

He encouraged staff to take advantage of research grants, to partner and collaborate with others, and to go into consultancy as a way of earning additional income and improving society.

He also encouraged those in Environmental Science and Oil and Gas related fields to involve industries in their research or work in conjunction with industries for exposure to modern research techniques.

Also speaking, the Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Dr. Anne Chidinma Williams, said the workshop explored practical ways to improve academic writing, develop grant concept notes and proposals, increase the visibility of publications, use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and strengthen digital research supervision.

She encouraged participants to turn knowledge into solutions that benefit the University and society.

 

Sogbeba Dokubo

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a 24-year-old woman who was abducted on her arrival in Port Harcourt to meet a friend she met online.

The police also arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of luring victims through online dating platforms.

Confirming the arrests, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation.

The victim, identified as Chinyere, reportedly travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit the acquaintance, but was allegedly kidnapped along Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident was reported to the police on October 4, 2026, at about 9 a.m., prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to direct operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Diobu, to investigate the case and secure the victim’s release.

The police operatives subsequently rescued the woman and arrested five suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping syndicate.

The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, from Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi; Bright Augustine, 27, from Akukabu Community in Etche; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, from Akukabu; and Obinachi Rita, 26, the only female suspect.

The suspects were reportedly arrested at different locations following intelligence gathering and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s abduction.

She said information obtained from the suspects had also provided investigators with leads regarding other kidnapping incidents reported around the Igwuruta and Etche axis.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly admitted using online dating platforms to establish contact with prospective victims from within and outside Port Harcourt before luring them into physical meetings and abducting them.

The development has raised concerns over the potential misuse of online dating platforms by criminal elements to identify, deceive and target unsuspecting individuals.

The Command advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online, particularly those who request physical meetings without sufficient verification of their identities.

It further urged residents to inform trusted persons of their movements when meeting people encountered online and to choose public locations for initial meetings as a precaution against possible criminal attacks.

The police reiterated their commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.

 

King Onunwor