News
Ex-Militant Leaders Meet Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured ex-militants that the Federal Government was committed to the implementation of the amnesty programme and total transformation of the region.
Jonathan said this when he received the ex-militants who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on solidarity over the October 1 twin-bomb blasts in Abuja.
The president, who received the former militants alongside Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the “little hitches’’ hampering the implementation of the programme would be resolved very soon.
Jonathan said: “I sincerely appreciate your coming to tell, not only Nigerians, but the world what you stand for.
“As somebody who is also from the Niger Delta, I have a fair knowledge of the oil industry and the evolution of the Niger Delta issues.
“ I want to plead with you that even though like most programmes, we might have hitches, but I want to assure you that the government is actually committed.
“‘By God’s grace, most of these little hitches will be resolved.”
The president wondered why anyone would choose the jubilee celebration of the nation to express misgivings, if at all there was any.
He said the visit by the group had further confirmed the position that it was not a militant group, MEND, that was the mastermind of the attack, but a terrorist group sponsored from outside the country.
“I am happy that you are here because I am from there and I know all the actors and leadership of MEND.
“I am happy that you have told Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is not MEND that did it,’’ he said.
Jonathan said the bomb incident had “opened the eyes of the government’’ on how to improve on security network to forestall future recurrence.
“He thanked the ex-militants for their pledge to work with government to expose the perpetrators of the blasts.
“I want to thank you for coming to reassure us and pledge with the government to help it unearth some of these issues,’’ he said.
Our correspondent reports that the ex-militants numbering more than 90, in one voice dissociated themselves from the bombing.
They also promised to work with the Federal Government to fish out those who were the mastermind of the dastardly act.
The group also noted that the name “Gbomo Jomo’’ is a pseudo name that did not exist and could be used by anybody that has access to the group’s password.
Notable ex-militant leaders in attendance include Alhaji Mujahedeen Asari Dokubo, Chief Government Ekpomolo (Tompolo) and Ebikabowe Victor (Boyloaf).
Ateke Tom, Comrade Fara Dagogo, Shoot At Sight, Eberi Papa and Buster Ryme were also in attendance.
Boyloaf told the audience that MEND was not responsible for the condemnable act.
“We have disarmed. We say so to the world, these people claiming that they are MEND are impersonating.
“It is a terrorist act. The people responsible for the act should be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
Tompolo, who is the overall Commander of MEND, corroborated Boyloaf that MEND was not responsible for the act.
“I am the leader of MEND. We are not part of the incident of October 1. MEND is not involved. I am the owner of MEND.
“We are going to work with you to save this country for everyone,” he said.
The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Kuromiema Mabiye, who led the group, described the act as “dastardly irresponsible and morally reprehensible’’.
Alhaji Mahajeed Asari Dokubo, the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, described the action as heinous and condemnable.
He denied the involvement of any of the genuine agitators from the region in the incident.
News
Retirement: Ignore PSC’s Directive, Remain In Office, IGP Tells Officers

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed all police officers affected by the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) to disregard the order.
The PSC had directed officers who have served 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire immediately.
A wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary, dated February 11, 2025, stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were told to comply strictly with this order.
Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission’s order followed a review of its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, allowing force entrants to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.
The commission cited inconsistencies with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.
However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of IGP Egbetokun.
News
Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extolled the sterling motherly virtues of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta, and urged the children not to deviate from those valuable lessons she had taught them.
Late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta (79 years) is the mother of Dr Ayebaesin Jacob Beredugo, the Principal Secretary to Governor Fubara.
The Rivers State Governor, who described Dr Beredugo as a brother, trusted ally and key stakeholder of his administration, urged him to be consoled in God and bear the loss with fortitude.
Governor Fubara gave the advise at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Anglican Communion in Nembe City, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor said: “We are here as a government to show that in this difficult time, we stand with him. We know that there is no consolation here that can fill the gap of this loss, more especially the loss of a mother.
“But, we want to draw his mind to the good Book: that it is the Lord that giveth, and it is also the Lord that taketh. And he takes for a reason.
“We live in a corrupt world, and when you are a saint in the world, when it pleases the Almighty and He believes that He doesn’t want you to be corrupted, He takes away the soul to a better place where death is no more, where you don’t have to look for food again, where you have peace.”
Governor Fubara expressed strong belief that given the way Mama had lived and the good virtues that had been read out and said about her, there is no doubt that she will be in a good side in heaven.
The Governor decried the current condition of the cathedral where the funeral service held and committed the support of the Rivers State Government to ensure the completion of the building in memory of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta
“We have been made to understand that the Cathedral needs strong support. We are willing to support the completion of the Cathedral. We will support the building in memory of Mama with the sum of N50million”
Delivering the sermon on the topic; “Hope in the face of death”, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Rev. Victor Okporu, said those who are confidently expecting positive future must also believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be prepared to spend eternity with Him.
Reading the biography of the late Madam Ayebadieye Edward-Igbeta, brother of the decreased, Mr Godwin Ekine, said his late sister was an embodiment of love, care, peaceful and kind-hearted, and touched lives through her generosity and compassion.
Friends and well-wishers from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, some of whom shared fun memories of the late matriarch, were later hosted to a funeral reception at King Koko’s Square in Nembe Town.
Also at the burial were the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Boniface Emerengwa; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie.
Others are Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; Chief Hanny Woko; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers; top politicians, leaders and stakeholders in the State; among others.
News
Old Boys Plan Rehabilitation Of GSS, Okehi
The Chairman of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS), Okehi Etche, Rivers State, Prof. Sir, Umunna Offor, has stated that the association would soon visit their alma-mater and rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and facilities in the compound.
The chairman made this assertion while speaking with some newsmen after an extensive meeting of the Old Boys in Port Harcourt, recently.
Sir Offor stated that since they left the secondary school, some years ago, most of the facilities and infrastructure built by then Rivers State Government had decayed and worn out.
“ However, being responsible ambassadors and Old Boys of the college, we would not fold our arms and expect government to rebuild everything in the school compound, hence, we have decided to come together and graciously assist our alma mater’, he said.
“The meeting was basically for like-minds to gather to find a way to help the school, it is a thing of joy to see and receive old school friends and comrades who have gone far in life and have excelled in their respective chosen fields”.
Speaking in the same vein, Engr, Lasbrey Amadi; (FNSE), who is also an old boy and former member of the House of Representatives, said the association would be working in synergy with the administrators of the school to ensure that in no distant time; there would be a massive face-lift in the physical infrastructure in the school compound.
Veering into politics in Nigeria of today, Engr, Amadi, said that god-fatherism in politics had seriously killed the gains and beauty of democracy in Nigeria and quickly urged politicians to always play-down the issue of god-fatherism in politics and ensure good governance in the country.
In his comment, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association, Mr Goodluck Nwaobilor, said the door of the association is still wide open for new members who finished from the school to join and work towards taking the association to higher level.
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
NACAT Inaugurates South-South Office In A’Ibom Against Corruption
-
Sports4 days ago
AFCON: Eguavoen, Emenike predict S’ Eagles’ chances
-
Rivers2 days ago
Appreciate God, Elder Statesman Urges Nigerians
-
Business4 days ago
Bayelsa Recommits To Infrastructure, Sectoral Dev … Rakes In N227.185b From IGR
-
Featured2 days ago
TUC Opposes FG’s Proposed Toll Gate On Federal Roads, Rejects Electricity Tariff Hike
-
News2 days ago
Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary
-
News4 days ago
S’South Deputy Govs Pay Condolence Visit To A’Ibom Colleague
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
HYPREP Presents Scholarship Grants To 300 Ogoni Postgraduate Students