News
Abia Pushes For United Nigeria, Urges North To Reciprocate
Abia State Government wants a stronger, united Nigeria and has requested its counterparts in the North to reciprocate the love shown to Muslims in the South East, particularly Abia State , by doing same to Christians and non-indigenes living with them.
Governor Theodore Orji who made the call while hosting the Muslim Community in Abia which paid him Sallah homage last Tuesday, said the state government has been showing love and accommodating the Muslim faithful residing in Abia because of its belief that Nigeria was one and its people should always work together.
Addressing the capacity crowd of the Muslims who thronged the Okpara Auditorium for the annual Sallah homage to the governor, Orji said: “at this point it is imperative to request our brother governors and governments of the Northern states to show as much love as we show to you to our people living in the North by giving land to them for their programmes and projects and share homage as we have always done here, Respect, they say, is reciprocal. We are one and must continue to work together as one, united people.”
The governor used the occasion to reassure the Muslims that government would not reverse its policy of non-discrimination towards non-indigenes residing in the state, especially the Muslims.
Orji, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas, also recalled that Abia government has never allowed Muslims to suffer reprisal attacks when crises erupted in the North.
“You will recall that during the crises that erupted in the North in times past, Government always took steps to ensure that Muslims were shielded from reprisal attacks. That is a mark of our love for you.”
The governor also told his guests that government has acceded to most of their requests, including the donation of a bus, land for cemetery; intervened in the issue of lock-up shops in Aba and appointed their members into the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
He said efforts were on top gear to provide a modern motor park and efficient security at the Lokpanta Cattle Market.
He enjoined the Muslims to continue to live in piety as if they were still observing the Ramadan fasting and to pray for the federal and state governments to overcome the current challenges facing the country, just as they should remember the less privileged as they celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri.
Earlier, chairman of Abia State Muslim Community, Alhaji Uzoma Anyatonwu, had praised the government for ensuring that the cordial relationship existing between the Muslims, government and the people of the state was sustained. Anyatonwu also expressed gratitude to the government for granting the requests made by the Muslim Community.
He, however, requested for a Pilgrims Welfare Board exclusivey for Muslims with its member as Secretary.
The Muslim leader enjoined Nigerians to eschew destructive politics but indulge in things that would unite the country.
The Muslim Sallah homage has become an annual event during which the governor interacts and entertains the Muslim community.
News
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
News
RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
News
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
-
News3 days ago
2027: I Stand With Southern Presidency -Ortom
-
Politics3 days ago
Lagos LG Polls: Police Restrict Movement, Tightens Security
-
News3 days ago
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
-
Opinion3 days ago
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
HYPREP Trains Lab Technicians To Standardise Water Quality In Ogoniland
-
Sports3 days ago
Coach Eager To Transform El Kanemi Warriors
-
News3 days ago
Tinubu, Govs Forum Congratulate Okpebholo On S’Court Victory …As Obaseki Expresses Disappointment
-
Rivers3 days ago
NDDC: Staff Walk Ten Kilometers To Commemorate 25th Anniversary