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Abonnema Chieftaincy Tussle: RSG Endorses Bob-Manuel’s Kingship
Rivers State Government has endorsed the recognition of King Disreal Bob-Manuel as First Class traditional ruler and the Amanyanabo of Abonnema. Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike who made the declaration last Wednesday following insinuations that King Bob-Manuel was suspended or deposed, said nobody has the authority to depose a First Class Traditional ruler that enjoys full recognition of the government without the approval of the State Chief Executive.
Wike who was responding to submissions of Abonnema Council of Chiefs that paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, said that nobody has deposed the King, adding that, “it is only the state government that has the power to depose a First Class traditional ruler and we have no intention to depose the Amanyanabo of Abonnema”.
Reacting to the role allegedly being played by security agencies in the chieftaincy squabble brewing in the area, Wike expressed regrets that the security agencies’ involvement in chieftaincy affairs was rather unfortunate.
“Our security agencies have gone so low that they are now involved in everything, including chieftaincy affairs. Soon, they will involve themselves in husband and wife issues. Can they carry an Emir like that? Can they carry an Oba like that? We pray they withdraw from such illegal activity”, Wike said.
Wike who decried the role being played by some prominent elderly persons from the area, noted that they have refused to understand the meaning and importance of peace such that they had resorted to instigating crisis.
He also wondered why the feuding Abonnema United founding fathers would spread the false report that some persons were planning to kill High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs.
“I don’t know whether they know the implication of the crisis they are generating. There is no need for anyone to create crisis in a very peaceful community,” he said, adding that the conflict was politically motivated and aimed at achieving pre-meditated political goals.
Wike charged youths of Abonnema to be at alert in the defence of their traditional heritage and urged them not to allow persons or groups to distort their traditional order.
The governor assured the Abonnema Council of Chiefs that the state government will take up the matter with the state Commissioner of Police even as he pledged a formal report to be made to the Nigerian Army headquarters on the illegal deployment of soldiers to arrest the Amanyanabo of Abonnema.
Reiterating the strong support of Abonnema people to the emergence of the present administration, Wike said he will continue to execute meaningful projects in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
The Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Bob-Manuel, while speaking earlier had said he had come with his Council of Chiefs to seek state government’s protection from some persons using security agencies to disrupt peace and the traditional order in the area.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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