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AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR EZENWO NYESOM WIKE

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The Executive Governor of Rivers State,
His Excellency,
Chief (Barr) EzenwoNyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa
Sir,
I wish to once again commend you for your developmental strides in all parts of Rivers State, particularly in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area (LGA) as well as your recent approval for the construction of Ogu-Wakama road, which will certainly foster economic development especially to the people of Wakama community.
Your Excellency, may I use this privilege of writing you this open letter as a formal means of drawing your attention to the persistent and undemocratic political marginalization suffered by the Wakama people in Ogu/Bolo LGA. It is a known fact that Wakama community played a key role in the creation of Ogu/Bolo LGA by the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha on the 1st of October 1996, which is over 24years ago, and yet Wakama community cannot boast of ever producing at least an elected LGA council Chairman or House of Assembly member. However, Bolo community has produced 4 chairmen and 2 House of Assembly members, while Ogu community has produced 2 chairmen and 2 House of Assembly members, with the incumbent House of Assembly member from Ogu Community serving his 3rd tenure (12 years). Again, no Wakama Son or Daughter has been given an appointment such as commissioner, Special Adviser (SA), Board member etc from 1996 till date, whereas both Bolo and Ogu Communities have been the ones enjoying these juicy appointments from the State Government to the detriment of other communities in the LGA, even though it is the Governor’s jurisdiction to make or give such appointments.
It is also true that Wakama community is the third largest community in Ogu/Bolo LGA, yet they suffer political injustice than any other community in the LGA in the form of discrimination and marginalisation. In fact, it is perceived as a taboo in Ogu/Bolo LGA for a Wakama son or daughter to contest for the position of a council Chairman or House of Assembly member; this is the level of relegation Wakama Community has been placed by other communities in the LGA; funny enough all the communities in Ogu/Bolo LGA are from Ijaw ethnicity, and they speak the same Wakirike language.
Your Excellency, it will surprise you to know that Wakama Community is more PDP than other communities in Ogu/Bolo LGA. For instance, it is a known fact that, Wakama community has always given its 100% votes to PDP from 1999 till date, and yet the community does not have a voice in decision making in Ogu/Bolo LGA. This is why the Wakama people are least considered in terms of employment, empowerment and appointment within Ogu/Bolo LGA, even when there are intelligent, competent and credible Wakama sons and daughters scattered all over Federal and State Ministries, Parastatals, Agencies, including the Oil and Gas Sector as well as Successful Entrepreneurs.
As we are fast approaching the 2021 Local Government elections, the good people of Wakama Community have started appealing that the LGA council chairmanship position should be given to them at least to correct this political imbalance for once. Key PDP political leaders and stakeholders within the Ogu/Bolo axis have been consulted and still consulting through letters, phone calls and other mediums for their appeal to be considered. However, there are reliable rumours all over Ogu/Bolo LGA that Wakama community can never be considered for the LGA council chairmanship position.In fact, currently, Ogu community has the senator representing Rivers East who is serving his 31/2 tenure (14years), the member representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly who is serving his 3rd tenure (12years), and the Rivers State commissioner for Sports. Likewise, Bolo community has the incumbent LGA council chairman and others with political appointments made by the state government. So, it will be unjust for Wakama community not to be given the Council chairmanship position in the forthcoming LGA elections in Rivers State.
Your Excellency, there is no doubt you are not fully aware of the political injustice suffered by the Wakama people for over 24years after the creation of Ogu/Bolo LGA. Also, you are not aware that a prominent Wakama son ensured that electoral materials were not snatched by hoodlums from other opposition political parties especially during the 2015 general elections, just to secure the 100% votes given to PDP by the good people of Wakama community. In fact, this dogged Wakama son is a prominent financier of PDP party and PDP related political pressure groups including political campaigns in Ogu/Bolo LGA, as well as financially supported PDP aspirants during previous general elections; He has paid his dues for PDP as a faithful and committed party man.
Your Excellency, the said dogged Wakama Son is Chief TamunotekenaAkoWakama, whose capacity and competency has been attested by all PDP Leaders and Stakeholders, and he has made his intention to run for the office of the LGA council Chairman in the forthcoming 2021 LGA elections known to all leaders and stakeholders in Ogu/Bolo LGA. Instead of getting support from PDP leaders in Ogu/Bolo LGA as regards to his LGA chairmanship ambition, he is constantly getting messages from PDP Leaders in the privileged Ogu and Bolo communities that he should drop his ambition, simply because he is from the marginalized Wakama community.
Your Excellency, you can do your findings from the above statements I have made; from Wakama community not producing elective LGA Council Chairmen, House of Assembly members, Commissioners, Special Advisers etc down to the role the LGA council Chairmanship aspirant from Wakama community, Chief TamunotekenaAkoWakama has played in financing PDP in Ogu/Bolo as well as singlehandedly securing PDP votes from hoodlums in Wakama community during 2015 general elections.
Your Excellency, I have no doubt you can effect this much needed change where political oppression and marginalization of other communities in Ogu/Bolo will be put to an end, as everyone in Rivers State and Nigeria at large have known you to be a man who hates injustice and oppression, which you have demonstrated overtime.
The good people of Wakama community have no voice in Ogu/Bolo politics since there is no LGA council chairman, House of Assembly member, Commissioner, Special Adviser, Board member etc from Wakama community to speak for them, and I have seen you as their last hope to grant them the long awaiting LGA council Chairmaship position to be given to them in the forthcoming LGA elections in 2021 for the sake of justice, equity and fair play in the political arena wthinOgu/Bolo LGA.
Yours Sincerely
Jonathan Wakama

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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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