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State Thanksgiving: Pray For Better Leaders In 2015 -Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined the people of the state to pray for better leaders in 2015.
Speaking at the annual State Thanksgiving and Dedication Service, which attracted citizens from all walks of life to the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre last Monday in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi said he was afraid that politicians jostling for power were all doing so for their selfish ends.
“We need a government that is God-fearing to put things right, these people have no fear of God,” he warned.
Amaechi, who used the service to warn Rivers people of a foretaste of what will happen if this crop of opposition succeeds in producing the next governor of the state said, “we must pray to God to protect us from PDP,” adding that “virtually everything we had put in place for the people, PDP is taking them away, including 42 oil wells from Soku. We need to pray God to stop such persons.”
The governor lamented that before the political crisis started a year ago, the state economy was at the top competing with Lagos, but with the current crisis, the fortunes of the state has nosedived.
Urging every citizen and cleric to pray for the state, Amaechi hinted that henceforth, the thanksgiving service will be made an annual ritual, as the next one will be held at the Modern Conference Centre being constructed by the state government.
Governor Amechi, who said the inspiration to have a day set aside for Christ came to him some years back while he was on a trip to Ghana.
In a message to mark the day, the General Overseer of Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunwa, reminded residents and participants that challenges were part of life, and admonished them to always put their trust in God in every situation.
The annual thanksgiving dedication service is usually observed every 27th of January to commit the affairs of the state into the hands of God for the rest of the year.
It is usually marked with prayers and soul lifting renditions by various religious groups as well as inspirational messages from renowned men of God.
Highlight of the service was the dedication of the state and the entire nation to God by Rev Steven Akinola of the Redemption Ministries, who read from the book of Isaiah 11:1-10.
Among dignitaries at the thanksgiving service was the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, who took the second reading of the day from the book of Psalms 46:1-11.
Other personalities include heads of parastatals, traditional rulers and members of the State Executive Council and members of the state House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has emphasized the need for the state thanksgiving and dedication service to be gazetted as an annual event in the state.
He said the annual event will pave way for ministers of God to intervene in the administration of the state through continuous prayers and thanksgiving to God.
Speaking on Monday at the 2014 Rivers State Thanksgiving and Dedication Service at the Main Bowl of the Alfred Diette-Spiff Complex in Port Harcourt, Amaechi urged ministers of God and Rivers people to be persistent in prayers to put an end to the political crisis rocking the state.
According to him, “shortly after I took over office in 2007, my wife has been worrying me to set aside a day for Thanksgiving and Dedication Service to God. So, I want to charge the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to Gazette 27th January of every year to be set aside to glorify God and dedicate the state to God Almighty, believing that even after my tenure, the event continues as a custom.
“I thank the ministers of God for their continued prayers. Rivers people must join the men of God and Christians to stop the thieves from coming back to power. This is the time men of God must go back on their knees to pray and protect the state from selfish and self-serving politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”, Amaechi said.
Governor Amaechi also decried some of the wrongful measures taken by the Federal Government against the state resources, especially the ceding of oil wells in Soku and Etche communities in the Akuku-Toru and Etche Local Government Areas respectively to Bayelsa and Imo states.
“It is true that virtually everything we have, the PDP has taken them all, especially the 42 oil wells in Etche and the oil wells in Soku.
Amaechi while recalling the recent violent attack in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area by hired political thugs against the rally organized by the Save Rivers Movement that is saddled with the responsibility of sensitising and mobilising the people, said there was need for Rivers people to resist the evil machination of greedy politicians against the interest of Rivers people, especially the upcoming election in 2015.
“If you recall what happened at the rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, where hired political thugs resorted to violence, you will agree with me that we are going back to the days of shooting and maiming of innocent citizens in the state. So, we must stand up and face them by voting them out in the upcoming 2015 election”, Amaechi said.
“I met the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), who asked me what motivated me to take the model schools to the village children to be trained.
And I said, I am addressing poverty, because it is now a place of learning where the rich man’s son or daughter will meet the poor man’s son or daughter. I see it as eradicating poverty in our society. We have also built primary healthcare centres to take care of the health needs of the poor”, Amaechi said.
In his exhortation, General Overseer of the Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunwa urged Rivers people to put their trust in God through consistent worship in order to allow peace return to the state.
Highlights of the event was the offering of prayers and dedication of the state to God by the General Overseer of Redemption Ministries, Reverend Steven Akinola, as well as sing songs, praise and worship.
R-L: Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, flanked by Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, wife of the Governor, Dame Judith, SSG, Mr George Feyii, at the 2014 Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
?President Bola Tinubu, yesterday swore in retired Gen. Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence.?
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?The president administered the oath of office on Musa in his office
at the State House, Abuja.
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?Tinubu had described Musa as a “fine gentleman” whose track record in service positions him to drive a more integrated national security response.”
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?The new defence minister’s appointment comes less than 48 hours after the resignation of his predecessor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.
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?Musa, 58, served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to Oct. 2025, during which he oversaw broad counterterrorism operations and inter-agency coordination efforts.
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?His nomination was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday and was swiftly confirmed after rigorous screening on Wednesday, a development Tinubu praised as an evidence of legislative support for his security vision.
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?With the swearing-in now complete, Musa assumes full ministerial duties as the Tinubu administration pushes to consolidate recent gains and accelerate reforms aimed at delivering lasting peace and national stability.
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?The brief ceremony was attended by top government officials including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and thd Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
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?Musa told State House Correspondents after the event that he would ensure better synergy among the Armed Forces to tackle terrorism and all forms of insecurity in the country.
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?”My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country.
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?”The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians being carried along as we have always said, that security is everybody’s responsibility.
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?” It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on it, and that’s what we’re going to and I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results.
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?” I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.
The five students of the Rivers State University (RSU), Emohua satellite campus in Emohua Local Government Area of the state who were recently kidnapped, have regained freedom from their captors.
The students spent three days in the hands of their abductors before being rescued through the combined efforts of the police and other security agents in the state.
In a statement by the police spokesperson in the state, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, yesterday, the police rescued the five students unhurt from their abductors at the early hours of yesterday.
The statement listed the rescued victims as: Prince London ‘M’, Azubuike Kelechukwu ‘M’, Elizabeth Aniete ‘F’, Onyebuchi Precious ‘M’, and London Sampson ‘M’.
The police further disclosed that the victims had been taken to the hospital for medical examination, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing cultists/abductors.
According to the police, the students were abducted by yet-to-be-identified cultists from their isolated residences but were later rescued unhurt.
The statement read in part; “The rescue operation was conducted at Rumudogo 2 Community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State by the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with other sister security agencies and with the support of the community.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, warned the perpetrators that the police would not relent until all those involved are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He also urged continued collaboration from sister security agencies, community stakeholders, and the general public to enhance policing efforts across the State.
Adepoju also advised residents to go about their lawful activities without fear, assuring them that “their safety is our priority.”
Meanwhile, the authorities of the university have suspended academic activities in the Emohua campus following persistent security challenges in the area.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this while addressing students of Emohua campus following the kidnapping of the five students on Tuesday morning.
The students had, among other demands, urged the school authority to suspend all academic activities in the campus and relocate them to the main campus.
However, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has appealed to the management of the university not to shut down the Emohua Campus, promising to provide the necessary logistics to strengthen security of lives and property within the institution.
Akujobi Amadi & King Onunwor
The Nigerian Navy has begun free medical screening, diagnosis, and treatment for no fewer than 2,000 residents in Rivers.
Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), announced this on Thursday at the opening of the outreach in Egberu, Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers.
Zipele said that the beneficiaries would have the opportunity to undergo medical diagnosis and treatment without costs.
“The naval training command is offering free medical support to residents of Egberu, this is as part of our efforts to strengthen cooperation between the command and the community,” he said.
He said that residents would receive free medical services such as blood pressure checks, consultancies, laboratory investigations and medications, among others.
“This exercise is one of the strategic initiatives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, under navy’s corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Zipele further said that the exercise formed part of the navy’s end-of-year activities that aimed to strengthen civil-military relations.
He reiterated the navy’s commitment to providing essential services to residents of Egberu community.
Also speaking, Capt. Ikechukwu Chukwuka, the Head, Medical and Training, said that the outreach included screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria, typhoid and HIV.
Chukwuka said that the beneficiaries would receive free medications and advice, adding, “serious conditions will be referred to the appropriate medical facilities”
“We recognise the challenges many communities face in accessing quality healthcare, we are here to support this community,” he said.
Chukwuka said that many individuals were unaware of the illnesses that plagued them until they became life-threatening.
“We are targeting no fewer than 2,000 people to take advantage of this opportunity to know their health status and receive free treatments,” he said.
He said that the programme showed that the navy was not only a combat institution but also a compassionate and people-oriented one.
Dr Adaeze Oreh, the Rivers Commissioner of Health, commended the navy for the gesture, describing it as well-intended.
Represented by Prof. Justina Jumbo, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Oreh said that the initiative aligned with the state government’s commitment to strengthen public health systems.
“Healthcare is most impactful when government and security agencies work together to support vulnerable populations,” she said.
She said that the Rivers Government remained open to deeper collaboration with stakeholders on outreach, disease prevention, emergency care and community health strengthening.
The Paramount Ruler of Egberu-Ndoki, Eze Boniface Akawor, expressed delight over NAVTRAC’s relocation from Apapa, Lagos, to Ebubu-Eleme in May 2024.
He said that the community had never benefitted from such free medical support, and decried the abandonment of the community primary healthcare centre.
“The nearest health centre is seven kilometres from here, this makes emergencies difficult for our people,” he said.
Akawor thanked the navy for the intervention, and urged other corporate bodies to emulate NAVTRAC.
One the beneficiaries, Mrs Cordelia Chibuzor, 58, who received treatment for an undisclosed ailment, praised the navy for the support.
She said that many residents could no longer afford healthcare due to the rising costs of medical treatments in the country.
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