News

Non-Indigenes Part Of Rivers -Wike …Explains Role In Foiled Judge’s Arrest

Published

8 years ago

October 19, 2016

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged the huge contributions made by non-indigenes since the state was created 49 years ago.
Speaking when he played host to Indigenes Without Borders (IWB) led by their National President, Hon Chukwuemeka Onowu at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said the dichotomy between non-indigenes and indigenes was gradually phasing away because of the contributions they have made over the years.
“The state is made up of those who do business in the state and those who stay in the state…and it has been the policy of this administration to always involve non-indigenes because they pay their taxes and contribute to the development of the state.”
Against this backdrop, he averred that all persons who reside and do business in the state have equal participation in the government and development of the state.
He assured them that they will be included in the committee that will organize the state’s 50 years anniversary next year, noting “Rivers State is great today because you contributed.”
The governor noted that non-indigenes play a critical role in the politics of the state because of their population.
Wike explained that he took a deliberate decision to always accommodate non-indigenes in the local government caretaker committees to give them a sense of belonging.
“I commend the non-indigenes for standing by me during the election despite the negative propaganda by the opposition. I thank you for closing your ears to the concocted lies of the opposition.
“Now that the food is ready, non-indigenes are entitled to the benefit of their support. They will always benefit from good governance in this state”.
On his part, the National President of Indigenes Without Borders, Hon Chukwuemeka Onowu, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for ensuring that non-indigenes in the state benefit directly from projects and programmes of his administration.
He said, “they claimed during the campaign that Wike would chase away non-indigenes from the state. Today, the truth is out, and their false propaganda has been exposed.
“Non-indigenes have never had it so good in Rivers State. Today, we have a chief judge, a Commissioner, Caretaker Committee members, senior aides to the governor, and our members have benefitted from the empowerment programmes to traders and artisans.”
He said that the Wike administration has been demonstrated fairness and love in all her dealings with non-indigenes since 2015.
As a mark of their appreciation, the Indigenes Without Borders, chaired by Hon Emeka Onowu, presented an award of excellence to Governor Wike for his superlative performance.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike has defended why he and other top state officials intervened in the attempt by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) to arrest a Federal High Court judge in the state.
He told members of Indigenes Without Borders, who visited him, yesterday, in Government House, Port Harcourt that, “I did not prevent anybody from doing their duty but as the chief security officer, I would not watch people cause insecurity. If you are genuine, you should not take odd hours to arrest somebody. I am not supporting any judge who is corrupt, but I believe we should do things in line with due process.”
Wike dismissed the blackmail and propaganda against him over the incident, and warned that attempt to rig the rerun elections will be resisted by the people.

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.