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2019: Rivers Ijaws Endorse Wike …Elect President With Economic Knowledge -Gov

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In appreciation of his massive roll out of projects in Ijaw Local Government Areas, Rivers Ijaws have endorsed Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term.
Thousands of Rivers Ijaws, last Monday, trooped to the Government House, Port Harcourt from different Ijaw-speaking local government areas of the state, where they declared their support for the re-election of Wike.
Leader of Rivers Ijaws, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra said that Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people in the last three years.
“The entirety of Rivers Ijaws endorse you (Governor Wike) for a second term. We are happy with your projects and performance”, he said.
Also speaking, Senator George Sekibo said that Wike earned the respect and support of Rivers Ijaws through his dogged support for former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan during his political travails.
He said: “We will never abandon you. Ijaw people see you as their own son. In three years, you have executed projects in all the Ijaw-speaking local government areas of the state.
“From the very first day when we gave you the mandate, we agreed that you should serve the state for eight years. We cannot change that agreement in the middle of the ocean.
“We are here to renew the mandate. We will vote for you again in 2019. Nothing will take you away from the Government House in 2019”.
Similarly, Niger Delta Rights Campaigner, Ankio Briggs assured that Rivers Ijaws would wholeheartedly work for the re-election of Wike in 2019.
Briggs said that once credible polls are conducted in 2019, Wike would coast to victory on the strength of his performance.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked Rivers Ijaws for their endorsement and solidarity.
He noted that they have not only indicated support for his re-election, but have demonstrated their support through donations.
Wike said: “This battle, which we have won, we are prepared for it. Any promise that I have made, I will keep to it.
“You must work as a team. A house divided against itself cannot achieve much”, he added.
He warned the people against any consideration for the All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing out that an APC governor would not support restructuring.
Wike berated the immediate past Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for de-marketing Rivers State through falsehood about the security situation in the state.
He said: “It is unfortunate that a minister from Rivers State is de-marketing the state. Since he became minister, what has he attracted to Rivers State, except to de-market the state.
“They talk about security in Rivers State, when there is insecurity in the entire country. Look at the killings in Kaduna and Plateau states. The entire country is facing a security crisis. What the minister is saying is that Buhari should go, and he will go in 2019”.
He said that the attempt by the minister to impose his business partner as governor was merely to siphon state resources for personal reasons.
“You sold gas turbines to your business partner, sold Olympia Hotel to your partner, sold Abonnema Wharf to your partner, and now, you want to sell Government House to your business partner.
“You have federal might, but we have God’s might. In this forthcoming election, we will teach them a lesson. All these Egyptians you see today, you shall see no more!
“God rules over Rivers State. Nobody can conquer this state”, Wike said.
Highpoint of the occasion was the donation of a Toyota Coaster Bus to the Wike Campaign Organisation by the Rivers Ijaws.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples’ Forum has endorsed the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for a second term in office.
Speaking at a press conference, last Monday, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Port Harcourt, Leader of the forum, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, noted that Governor Nyesom Wike has lived up to the expectations of Rivers people for the past three years, hence the resolve of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Forum to support him for a second term.
According to him, “As Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has given Rivers people purposeful leadership, and endeared himself to all in many ways”.
Alabraba stressed that the decision of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Forum to endorse Wike for a second term was predicated on his leadership style, which he pointed out, includes “good governance, inclusiveness and transparency, which has effectively mobilized and united the people of Rivers State for progress and development”.
He also observed that Wike earned the support of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Forum when he astutely stood behind President Goodluck Jonathan during his political travails, saying “With deep appreciation, the strong bond of brotherhood amongst the people of the Niger Delta as manifested in the noble role played by Chief Nyesom Wike…who when it became necessary to be our brother’s keeper, rose to the occasion and stood by our Ijaw son, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2015.”
The Rivers Ijaw peoples’ leader noted that they were aware of the clamour for an Ijaw son or daughter as governor, stating that the forum was not averse to that clamour.
According to him, “We wish to make it abundantly clear that the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Forum whole-heartedly support the concept of an Ijaw son or daughter being a governor, but honestly believe that it must be pursued at the appropriate time and strategically too, through consultation, cooperation and collaboration with other ethnic nationalities.”
He thanked the governor for picking an Ijaw daughter, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo as his running mate for a second term in office.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Nigerians should work towards electing a president with administrative and economic experience to move the country forward.
He said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has destroyed the foundations of governance and stagnated development across the country.
Wike spoke, last Monday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when the National President and Executive officers of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) visited him.
He said: “We need a man with experience and economic understanding to drive the country forward.
“We must save Nigeria. We have suffered. We must make a statement that we cannot continue like this.
“We must do the right thing and that is the only way this country can move forward. We should no longer have a president controlled by the cabal”.
The governor said that there should be no difficulty in sacking the failed Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, since the incoming President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was also from the North.
“Luckily, the next president is coming from the North. The excuse of North and South is no longer tenable. Nobody should deceive us”, he said.
He berated the APC-led Federal Government for politicizing the fight against corruption by using anti-corruption agencies to fight the opposition.
“Nigeria is stagnated. It doesn’t matter where you come from. As a medical doctor, ask yourself, in the last three years, has the country made any progress?
“This country has never been this divided. You must be healthy in a healthy country. You cannot be well in an unwell country”, he said.
While thanking the doctors for visiting Rivers State, he said that his administration would continue to invest in the development of the health sector.
He directed the State Head of Service to immediately reinstate Dr Sofiri Peterside in the Rivers State Civil Service.
Earlier, the First Vice President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Tijo Kenneth Mingeh, had praised Governor Nyesom Wike for his investments in the health sector.
Mingeh said that the doctors were in the state for the Physicians’ Week 2018 with the theme, “Universal Health Coverage: Leaving No One Behind”.
The NMA leader said that the theme was motivated by the need to improve health for all people and stamp out quackery.

 

Tonye Nria-Dappa

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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