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…NASS, Govs Task Christians On Peace, Unit y
Senate President David Mark has urged Nigerians to sink their differences irrespective of ethnic, religious or political leanings and put the peace and unity of the nation above other considerations.
Mark gave the advice in a goodwill message to mark this year’s Christmas, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, yesterday in Abuja.
He also implored Nigerians to make peace and religious harmony the cornerstone of their relationship with one another.
The Senate president specifically called on the political class to lead the path of peace, law and order.
Mark further cautioned that national interest should not be sacrificed on the altar of individual or group ambitions.
He recalled the chequered political history of the nation, coupled with the ethno-religious conflicts that had claimed thousands of lives and property, and pleaded with Nigerians to have a rethink.
According to him, politics should ordinarily be a game and not a battlefield, adding that those fanning the embers of war or disunity should not set the house ablaze before they get there.
“We have come a long way as a people. We should see ourselves as one people, one nation with a common destiny.
“We cannot be moving in the reverse order when other nations are going to the moon.
“We have always admitted that the challenges are enormous but we must realise that nobody is coming from space to solve our problems for us.
“We should therefore be able to find home grown solutions to our challenges in a manner that would comfort and indeed satisfy all sections,” Mark said.
Speaking to current leaders, Mark said: “ It is incumbent on all of us to act and behave in a responsible manner that would give trust and confidence to the people”.
He requested religious leaders to fervently pray for the nation and its leaders adding that the time called for wise counsel and divine intervention.
In the same vein, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Christians to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ and eschew all forms of bitterness to move the nation forward.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu expressed regret that the progress of the nation had been seriously compromised due to lack of forgiveness by the people.
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi called on Christians to use the Christmas season to rededicate their lives to God and also pray for the country.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr David Iyofor, also enjoined Christians to exhibit the virtues of Christ.
“Let me congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters and as well encourage them to emulate Christ in all their dealings.
“We must as a people under one God seek God’s interference in our country’s democracy. We must see it as our duty to pray to God for the good of our dear country Nigeria, we must pray for our leaders and always pray to God to give us good leaders that can lead our dear country to greatness,” Amaechi said.
The NGF chairman further advised Christians to reciprocate God’s love to their fellow Nigerians despite their ethnic or religious affiliation.
“In a time like this we must also shun religious bigotry and ethnic parochialism, and concentrate on the things, the values that unite us a country.”
“For us as a government, we shall continue to use our God given resources to develop Rivers State, and improve on the lives of everybody resident in our state. We are aware of the enormous challenges and distractions to make us lose focus but we will continue to resist them and remain resolute in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people”, Amaechi said.
Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum yesterday called on Christians to spread the virtues of peace, love and charity, which underscored Christ’s mission on earth as they celebrate Christmas.
In a Christmas message issued in Minna, the forum’s Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, called on Christians to use the opportunity to pray fervently for an end to the numerous challenges confronting the nation.
The forum’s statement that was signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said there was no better time to preach and internalise Jesus Christ’s mission on earth than now owing to increasing intolerance in the country.
As for the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, she charged Nigerian women to rededicate themselves to their homes.
Mrs Jonathan equally enjoined them to renew their commitment to cherished family values of dedication, unity, love, loyalty, and uprightness.
The wife of the president said she was of the conviction that stable, peaceful homes will produce peaceful communities, and also guaranty a peaceful nation.

L-R: 1st Deputy President of PHCCIMA, Dr Renny Cookey, Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Presidnt PHCCIMA, Engr Emeka Unachukwu, with former PHCCIMA President and President of FOSSGMA, Prince Gilles Harry, during PHCCMA’s end of year party at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.
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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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