News
Reps Unfold Agenda For Nigerians …To Cut Cost Of Governance

L-R:Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Nebolisa Emordi; former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Retired Col. Hamid Ali, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Monday
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara yesterday said it would implement a legislative agenda aimed at improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
Dogara said this in his presentation of a draft of the legislative agenda of the 8th House of Representatives in Abuja.
The Speaker said the agenda outlined steps and prioritised legislative actions required to achieve set goals and objectives.
According to him, the legislative agenda takes lessons from the experiences of the 7th House of Representatives and seeks to consolidate the gains and achievements thereof.
“The House recognizes that there remains widespread citizens’ distrust of public institutions and government generally.
“It is also recognized that there is a lot of public misconceptions and misperceptions about the functions and contributions of the legislature to Nigeria’s overall socioeconomic and political development.
“Yet, the legislature’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain critical and important.
“The 8th House of Representatives will assert its role in providing leadership in the areas of accountable and transparent government, citizens engagement, as well as constituency representation’’, he said.
Dogara added that the 8th House of Representatives would collaborate with the Senate and other arms of government to legislate for the common good of the Nigerian people.
“Our legislative activities will cover critical spheres of life in Nigeria.
“The House will legislate to achieve reforms in economic development, tackle poverty and unemployment and confront the scourge of corruption and terrorism/security challenge.
“The House will also give priority to legislations to address environmental challenges such as desertification, erosion and pollution.
“The 8th House of Representatives will legislate to cut the cost of running government, reduce wastage and tackle revenue leakages’’, Dogara said.
The speaker stressed that the House would play its part in rescuing the country from hunger, poverty, disease, social, economic, political and infrastructural challenges.
He said “the 8th House of Representatives, as peoples’ parliament, will be sensitive to public demands for transparency and accountability.
“Our legislative actions would therefore seek to build public confidence and trust and be responsive to citizens’ questions regarding the conduct of legislative business.
“The House will work for public good and serve as the institution that defends the rights of the people to an accountable and transparent government.’
Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja demanded a 60 per cent downward review in the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members.
Other stakeholders, have however, demanded a cut of as much as 90 per cent from the members salaries and allowances as well as the scrapping of allocation for constituency projects.
The CSOs, during a protest at the National Assembly’s gate, said that the demand was important in view of the number of Nigerians living in poverty and the country’s revenue.
The Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju said the CSOs staged the protest because Nigerians were angry about the jumbo pay to lawmakers and appointees despite the country’s economic reality.
Adeyanju said Nigerian lawmakers were the highest paid in the world, adding that “we need this money to develop our infrastructure’’.
“In 2013, the National Assembly allocation and budget was about N50 billion; by 2015, it has astronautically jumped to about N120 billion for just 469 people. Is it justifiable?
“For a country that has over 180 million people, and in a nation that is in economic crises with huge dependence on oil revenue that has dipped by 50 per cent, we need to save Nigeria from imminent collapse or is it that they want this country to turn to another Greece,’’ Adeyanju said.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to lead by example and to ensure that the number of political appointees was reduced and their wages cut by 60 per cent.
“Political position must be made less attractive so that political assassination can stop and cost of electioneering in the country can reduce,’’ Adeyanju said.
The CSOs listed “Details of remuneration of Nigerian senator’’ in a flier distributed by the protesters.
In the flier, the basic total monthly pay per senator is N29.47 million amounting to N353.76 million $2.18 million) per annum for each senator.
The breakdown of the payment pay put the Basic Salary (BS) at N2,482, 245.50; Hardship allowance (50 per cent of BS) amounts to N1,242,122; Constituency allowance (at 200 per cent of the BS) amounts to N4,968,509 and Newspapers allowance (at 50 per cent of BS) amounts to N1,242,122.70.
The monthly salary also includes; Wardrobe allowance (25 per cent of the BS) which amounts to N521,061.37; Recess allowance (10 per cent of the BS) which amounts to (N248,424.55) and Accommodation allowance (200 per cent of the BS) amounting to N4,968,509.
Others are; Utility allowance of 828,081.83 (30 per cent of BS); Domestic allowance of N1.86 million (70 per cent of BS) and Entertainment allowance of N828,082 (30 per cent of BS).
Others are; Vehicle maintenance allowance of N248,426, (75 per cent of BS); Severance Gratuity allowance of N7.5 million (300 per cent of BS) and Car allowance of N9.9 million (400 per cent of BS).
Adeyanju said the figures were obtained from a research conducted by the organizations, adding that if the lawmakers NASS disagreed, they should come out with their facts.
Also speaking with newsmen, Dr Pregrino Briamah, a co-convener of the protest, Dr. Pregrino Briamah called for 90 per cent downward review of the lawmakers’ salaries and allowances as well as an immediate termination of constituency project allowance.
Briamah said that the CSOs would not wait for the downward review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), who he said, lacked the credibility to do it.
He said a copy of their letters was already sent to President Buhari.
“We demand that the presidency should commence an immediate termination and investigation of the Directors of RMAFC or a total and radical overhaul of the agency.
“We also demand that there should be 100 per cent transparency and oversight.
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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