Rivers
EFCC Boss’ Appointment Excites PCC Helmsman
The Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State and supervising Bayelsa State in the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Marshall Israel, has congratulated Abdulrasheed Bawa on his nomination as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He equally commended President Buhari for demonstrating and showing commitment to the younger generation by appointing a young person to head such an important agency.
The Federal Commissioner made the statement in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt shortly after the news of Bawa’s appointment broke out.
“When the news broke out, I had to call someone in the EFCC to confirm the Bawa they are talking about. Thereafter, I quickly sent him a text message to congratulate him on his appointment. I congratulate him once again because he deserves the appointment for so many reasons”.
Israel assured Nigerians that Mr Bawa would make them proud. “MrBawa is a member of my generation. He has the strength, energy and drive to move the EFCC forward. In terms of capacity and competence, you can see from his CV, has the necessary experience and expertise to bring to bear. I see a new EFCC under Bawa. Bawa is 40. He is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advanced Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes.
He has undergone several specialised trainings in different parts of the world, and was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet Officers in 2005.
“Our path crossed in Port Harcourt when he was the Zonal Head of EFCC. I paid him a visit to seek for collaboration and partnership with the Public Complaints Commission. During our conversation, I saw in him a philosophy and an ideology that are in tandem with mine. Subsequently, I started referring complaints and cases of fraud and financial crimes to him for investigation and prosecution and he delivered. He is an expert in proactive investigation”.
On whether Mr Bawa can withstand the pressure and challenges of that office as corruption will always fight back, Israel said that Mr Bawa is prepared and won’t bow to pressure. “The young man is prepared and ready. He has age as an advantage. He is bold and courageous. Most importantly, he is committed and result-oriented. I believe he will not betray the trust and confidence reposed in him. He cannot afford to fail us. Young people like me are looking up to him and he will prove himself worthy of emulation.
“I will continue to pray for him and support him. He needs the necessary support especially from my generation. Corruption is the number one problem of Nigeria and a young person has been given the mandate to fight corruption so that we can have a better future. Bawa himself knows that he has no option than to make his generation proud. He has to show that young people are capable to be President, Governor, Minister, Senator etc in Nigeria”.
The Federal Commissioner equally thanked President Buhari for appointing a young person as EFCC boss and appealed for more positions.
“We live in a country where young people find it difficult to break-in. Some leaders see us as threats and they are afraid to relinquish power to us. But we are coming up gradually by the grace of God. Let me thank President Buhari for remembering us once again by appointing Bawa the EFCC Chairman. We need more of such appointments to enable us make input in the affairs of Nigeria”.
He urged young people to be strong, courageous and to participate in politics. “We cannot continue to cry of marginalisation and exclusion when we are not ready to participate fully in politics. You will be disappointed and sidelined but do not leave the system. Follow up with the activities. Any responsibility given to you, make sure you deliver. In any office you find yourself, show capacity and competence. Develop yourself with some trainings and certifications and wait for the opportunity because it must come”.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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