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Amaechi, Akinyemi Hail Ekwueme At 80 …As Fiscal Federalism, Nat.Confab Top Discourse

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Former Minister of External Affairs Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi says a national conference to dialogue on Nigeria’s future is pertinent in view of challenges currently rocking the country.

Prof. Akinyemi made his position public  yesterday while speaking at a special lecture to commemorate the 80th birthday of former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the topic,’’ Strengthening the Foundation of Peace and Stability, ‘’ the professor of International Affairs and Diplomacy also said the present federal system being practised in the country needs dire restructuring.

He believed that,’’ Nigerian federalism has been driven by the agitation for identity recognition by nationality groups ‘’.

Akinyemi  who served as external Affairs Minister during the regime of military president, Ibrahim Babangida re-echoed Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s position earlier in the church thanksgiving service, where he recommended that some powers should be given to the federating states in areas concerning fiscal federalism, state police and equal representation.

The former minister who flayed the present federal structure opined that its not working hence the rising agitation among the different nationalities.

He asserted,’’…national groups continue to agitate for states of their own even though embedded in each new state will be minorities that will agitate for new states of their own. Does this mean that endless creation of states is the only way to ensure peace, equity and stability in Nigeria? The answer is no’’.

Prof. Akinyemi called for a restructuring based on equity,’’ Just as Dr. Ekwueme came up with ingenious idea of zonal federalism, we must come up with ingenious new ideas to address our own realities. We cannot have state for each national group in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Rather than creating more states to satisfy regional demands, Akinyemi suggested the need to engender trust based on what he called the ‘principle of reciprocity and mutual respect’ where all ethnic groups will have a sense of belonging in the polity.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has extolled former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekuweme for being a detribalised and passionate leader for a better Nigeria.

Amaechi made the commendation at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service organised by Ekwueme’s Committee of Friends in collaboration with state government yesterday at St Paul’s Cathedral Diobu in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the Second Republic number two citizen has demonstrated great zeal towards having a better Nigeria, and promised to follow in his steps.

The Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum noted that Ekwueme’s lifestyle is a challenge for the younger politicians like him, saying” be rest assured that some of us who look up to you after looking to God, will continue the struggle as you are still struggling for, and see whether there will be a better Nigeria. And I pray that there will be a better Nigeria’’, he added.

He continued,’’ the best birthday gift we have for you is to reassure you that we will support you in this struggle’’.

While congratulating him for the milestone of clocking 80 years, Amaechi wished the former Vice President well in the future.

Responding, Dr. Ekwueme expressed elation for the honour accorded him.

He expressed delight that so much honour was coming from all parts of the country, adding that’’ as I told everybody I’am not in a hurry and I think every one will have a memory of me to celebrate’’.

The former vice president thanked the government and people of the state for the honour done him, and prayed for more years ahead.

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop of Niger Delta North Province, Rt Rev. Ignatius Kattey had said the birthday marks the beginning of a new era in the life of Dr. Ekwueme and prayed God to continue to use him as an instrument of change.

The cleric reminded the celebrant of the need to be grateful to God at every stage of life, stressing that,’’at every stage of our life, God gives us a task to accomplish ‘’.

Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has sued for better federalism through constitutional amendment.

He made his mind public while speaking at the thanksgiving service in honour of Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Amaechi maintained that Nigerians should use the current constitutional amendment exercise to seek for better polity.

‘’ It is important that we get the unity of the country in a proper way that the country will move forward and I will join in that ‘’, he observed.

Said he,’’as usual, Nigerians have started dealing with cosmetics and not the reality…not the reality of power devolution, not the reality of the structure of the country, but the reality of how  much is shared and who is sharing what.’’

He maintained that it is pertinent to bring into proper perspective issues addressing the unity of the country, so the country can move forward.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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