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Neighbourhood Watch: Wike Alerts On Plot To Float Illegal Groups
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has alerted the country of the plot by some opposition politicians to set up illegal vigilante groups that will clash with the State Neighbourhood Watch to pave the way for the police to ban the new security outfit.
Governor Wike said such political plots will fail as the State Neighbourhood Watch has come to stay. He stated that only a court of competent jurisdiction can stop the Neighbourhood Watch.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Usman Abubakar, at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, Governor Wike said that the Neighbourhood Watch is strictly a security organisation that will support security agencies with intelligence to promote the security of the state.
He said that the Neighbourhood Watch is fashioned in line with the operations of a similar agency set up in Lagos State to support security agencies.
”In setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch, we adopted the process established in Lagos State. This is a replica of what is already in existence in Lagos State .
”We are setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch for intelligence gathering. Policemen and other security agencies cannot be everywhere. They need the relevant support to maintain security across the state “.
Governor Wike announced that the State Government has acquired six gunboats for the State Police Command to help it fight criminals along the waterways.
He warned against the politicisation of security operations, saying that such actions will be detrimental to the stability of the country.
He reiterated his advice to INEC and the Police to work towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections. He said that the police should not be used to indiscriminately arrest opponents of the ruling party ahead of the elections.
In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Usman Abubakar, said that the Zone 6 Police Command is fashioning out ways to reduce cultism, kidnapping and violent crimes in the area.
He appealed to stakeholders to work with the Police to reduce crime ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police called on all groups to come to a round table to work for peace as the police will not tolerate lawlessness.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the APC-led Federal Government has no choice, but to construct the Bonny-Bodo Road.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has flagged off the upgrading and remodelling of Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny.
Flagging off the upgrading and remodelling of the school yesterday in Bonny, Governor Wike regretted that the APC-led Federal Government was playing games with the Bonny-Bodo Road project after the NLNG committed N60billion as counterpart fund for the all-important road.
The governor said that the Bonny-Bodo Road is important to the economy of the area in view of the resources that the Federal Government gets from Bonny Island .
He said: “I was the one that approached the NLNG to contribute to an arrangement for the construction of the Bonny-Bodo Road. Shortly after that meeting, the NLNG wrote to me that they will contribute 50 percent to the construction of the road, while the Federal Government will contribute the other 50 percent.
“There is no year that the NLNG contributes less than $1billion (USD) to the national economy. The contribution of N60billion for the construction of this road is nothing to the Federal Government “.
He said that there is no need for the Federal Government to play games with the Bonny-Bodo Road. He assured the people of Bonny Island that he would continue to work for the completion of the road.
The governor charged Rivers leaders in the APC to also work towards convincing the Federal Government to site key projects in the state.
“The APC is under obligation to keep her promises to Nigerians. The people are tired of these excuses on why they must not succeed”, he said.
On the Bonny National Grammar School , Governor Wike said that the school will be completed on schedule and the people duly empowered.
He said that all the contractors involved in executing the project are from Bonny, noting that it was a deliberate step by the administration to empower the people.
“None of the contractors doing this job is from outside. This is to show that we are interested in empowering the people”, he said.
While stating that the State Government has acquired six gunboats for improved security on the waterways, Governor Wike informed that the administration will improve the marine transportation system for safety and security.
He said that the Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty which is nearing completion will be commissioned soon.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja said since 1966 when the Bonny National Grammar School was established, there has been no major intervention.
He said that the upgrade will witness the construction of new laboratories, libraries, hostels, Christian Chapel and improved classrooms.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Mr Cyril Hart praised Governor Wike for the intervention in the remodelling of Bonny National Grammar School, saying that the people were neglected by the Amaechi administration.
He also commended Governor Wike for the construction of the Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty, urging him to work for the initiation of a cheap and safe transport system to the Island.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.