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Join Us To Tackle Insecurity, Amaechi Tells Journalists
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr Godknows Igali; Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at a meeting on Power in Abuja, yesterday.
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to journalists to join his administration in fighting crime and insecurity in the state.
He said journalists could do that by standing on the side of truth against the sponsors and perpetrators of crime and insecurity in the state.
Amaechi spoke Wednesday at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new secretariat of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Port Harcourt, which his administration is building.
He recalled that crime and insecurity resurfaced in the state when the former state police commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu was deployed to the state.
Mbu, now out of the state, was believed to have provided the breeding ground for sponsors of insecurity in the state.
Amaechi said: “Mr. President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, this state was very quiet and calm until they removed the commissioner of police and brought (Mbu Joseph) Mbu. Not only did they bring Mbu, they brought the criminals back to the streets. They bought them T-shirts to demonstrate but they have forgotten that once you bring them out, you can’t send them back unless you have a very strong commissioner of police who will send them back.
“Immediately they did that, we have since been suffering from kidnapping. As I am talking to you now, nobody can account for where Akas Baba (kidnapped Cool/Wazobia radio presenter) is. I’ve called for an emergency security meeting so that we look at it.”
“So, the same journalists that are seated here that are my friends have not been writing about the fact that if they did not bring out these criminals, we have had peace.
“The same journalists that are seated here write about them and support them for governorship and other election. You can’t bring people that will kill you and you support the people, you can’t”.
He said those who committed crime and were chased away from the state by the police were now back.
“Today, those same people are back into town and they are driving, supported by those people who are desperate to acquire power and our journalists are supporting them.
“When I say journalists, I’m not saying all of you but those people who do support them, what are they? They are journalists, so I have the right to use the word journalist. The journalists must work with us to send these criminals back because you may think that today is Akas (Baba), tomorrow it may be you.
“But I have the responsibility to protect you, the instruments to protect you is what they have taken away from us and you are not fighting back. If you don’t fight back, they will come after you”, he noted.
After performing the ground-breaking for the new NUJ secretariat, Governor Amaechi said he had released all the funds needed for the early completion of the secretariat complex.
He urged the contractor handling the project to speed up work and finish the secretariat complex in a few months’ time.
He said the state NUJ leadership would need to introduce training programmes at the complex to sharpen the capacities of practising journalists to make more meaningful contributions and urged them to use the facility for everyone’s benefit.
Also speaking, the state commissioner for information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said journalists in the state were grateful to the governor for fulfilling his promise to build a new secretariat complex for the NUJ.
She said Amaechi’s administration recognizes the important roles played by journalists that informed his decision to build the new secretariat complex for the journalists.
“This particular project underscores the importance the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi attaches to contributions of the fourth estate of the realm in nation building,” she said.
Also at the event were the national presidents of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba and RATTAWU, Dr. Abel Yemisi Bamgbose and a representative of president of Nigeria Guild of Editors among others.
National President of the NUJ, Mohammed Gbara thanked Governor Amaechi for choosing to build NUJ secretariat in the state.
“I know that His Excellency (Amaechi) has a very high taste in terms of projects, and I want to believe that this project we are about to commence today will tally with the aspiration and the vision of His Excellency. I therefore want to thank you most sincerely for this, and I want to assure you that the NUJ will ever remain grateful to you for being kind enough to have this structure in Rivers State”.
The state Chairman of NUJ, Mr. Opaka Dokubo also expressed appreciation on behalf of journalists in the state to Governor Amaechi for the kind gesture.
He said the press centre would be used to serve humanity and strengthen democracy across the country.
The new state NUJ secretariat complex will have an email library, conference halls, accommodation facilities, among others.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol