News
2015: Choose Credible Gov, Amaechi Tells Rivers People …Says No Room For Charlatans In Brick House
In what appeared to be his last Independence anniversary church service speech, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has implored the state citizenry to choose a credible successor in next year’s governorship polls.
Speaking at the 54th Independence anniversary church service held at St Cyprain’s Anglican Church, Niger Delta Diocese, yesterday, Amaechi urged the people to avoid voting for corrupt individuals.
“For me, I have almost finished. But you have the right to protect yourselves from Buccaneers. You have the right to choose who will lead you in 2015. You Christians must rise up and choose the right leader”, Amaechi stressed.
The governor noted that so far, he could boast of achieving good landmarks in some areas since the inception of his administration in 2007, but averred that the people have the final judgement.
“My people say no dancer can see his back. But the Agama lizard, after falling from a high tree, looked both ways and nobody praised him, he shook his head, and said, I have tried.”
One area Amaechi said he could boast of is in education, where he said, “I made promises to God that I will serve the poor. Giving money will not serve the poor but building schools…Serving the poor for me is education first. Believe me, I know what poverty is”.
He, however, admitted that more needs to be done even within the few months before his exit, as he hinted of plans to commence performance assessment.
Amaechi also implored the church to always pray for the administration, adding that, “please, we have not finished in office. Continue to remind us what we need to do.”
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has said that Nigeria has a bleak future if things continue in the manner it is going in the country.
“Things are becoming more difficult than Shehu Shagari and Sani Abacha put together”, he said.
For him, very few people have moved from poverty to wealth under the current dispensation, hence he called on the citizens to seek for change as a way of changing their fortune.
He warned that unless there is change, the country will continue to face economic and political challenges, stressing that, “by December, you will read more of states that are owing salaries…It is not caused by the state government but by the declining revenue allocation.”
Earlier in his sermon titled, “God Is With Nigeria”, Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Ralph Ebirien submitted that God loves Nigeria, hence the reason the country is moving forward despite numerous challenges.
Ebirien urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, as the country marks its 54th Independence anniversary.
Highlights of the church service included special thanksgiving and prayers offered for Nigeria, Rivers State and leaders.
Governor Amaechi read the first lesson, while his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru the second lesson.
Meanwhile, Rivers state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has declared that Brick House has no vacancy for charlatans and cultists.
Amaechi, who said this yesterday during a special prayer session organised by the Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) in Port Harcourt, also said that the Brick House is not for sale.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi, said that the next Governor of the state must be someone with a deep Christian background.
He urged members of the foundation to continue to pray to God for His intervention as the state was passing through a difficult phase in its history.
In the meantime, the Rivers Leadership Advancement foundation (RIVLEAF), has canvassed for a riverine governor of Rivers South East extraction in 2015.
The National President of the Foundation, Sir Alex Wele, who said this during the special prayers, said that equity and justice demands that the governorship of the state be zoned to the riverine part of Rivers South East Senatorial Zone.
Wele said that, this has become necessary to ensure the unity of Rivers State.
He also said that time has come for politicians in the state to play by the rules of the game and give peace a chance, stressing that abusing a sitting governor is an act of disrespect to God and humanity.
Wele assured that the on-going search for a credible successor to the state governor will produce a good result, and urged the people to key into the programme.
He also pledged the readiness of the foundation to mobilize grassroots support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the prayer was to usher in peace in the state.
John Bibor
News
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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