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Kula Chiefs Call For Monarch’s Sack

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The crisis in the oil rich Kula community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, has taken a new twist as chiefs and stakeholders in the community have called for the immediate dethronement of the Amanyanabo of the kingdom, HRM, King Kroma Eleki.

Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt at the weekend, some stakeholders and traditional rulers in Kula community accused the monarch of holding the community to ransom through abuse of power and called on the state governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to strip him of his title in the interest of peace in the area.

A stakeholder, Alapuye Igkikis, accused the Kula monarch of breaching the existing agreement in the election of compound leaders in Kula, which he said, was based on nomination and election for a tenure of two years.

He said the monarch imposed his cronies on the community to stay beyond the stipulated tenure of two years contrary to the existing order.

Igbikis, a former compound leader in the community stated that the various compounds and traditional rulers in Kula had resolved and written to the local government to the acting chairman to intervene in the matter after which the acting chairman of AKULGA, Hon Stanley Benibo called for a  meeting inviting all compound leaders and traditional rulers in Kula, but the Amanyanabo refused to attend.

He said it led to the decision of the acting local government chairman to dissolve existing structures in Kula in the area.

Also speaking, another traditional ruler in the community, Chief David Emineye-Orlu II, attributed the festering crisis in Kula to abuse of power by the monarch.

Chief Orlu, the immediate past secretary of Kula  Council of Chiefs, said the deliberate absence of the monarch from the meeting called by the council authorities was an indictment on the monarch over security breach.

He appealed to the  state  governor to remove him from office and save Kula from drifting into anarchy.

When contacted, the Acting  Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Hon Stanley Benibo, said the dissolution of the existing structures  in Kula, was based on wide consultations with the community to avert security breach allegedly perpetrated by the monarch and his cronies.

He noted  that various council chairmen in AKULGA, had alerted the Rivers State Government of the abuse of power by the Kula monarch but the royal father was adamant to the voices of the people.

The acting chairman said he would not renege in his role as the chief security officer of the council and condone anarchy and lawlessness in the area.

He further accused the monarch of embezzling N35million meant for 40 housing unit allocated to Kula by the Ministry of Niger Delta and sponsorship of cult activities which resulted in the arrest of the monarch in a case that is pending at the State Investigation Burean (SIB).

It would be recalled that the Kula monarch had in a press conference, accused the acting chairman of AKULGA of high handedness in the dissolution of existing structure in Kula, which he said was his prerogative as a royal father.

The Kula monarch also described the decision of the acting chairman AKULGA as  “provocative and devised to erode his traditional powers”.

 

Taneh Beemene

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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