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Repentant Cultists Take Oath To Maintain Peace In Andoni
Repentant cultists in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have taken part in a traditional oath taking ceremony to maintain the existing peace in the area.
The different rival cult groups in the area, who were granted amnesty by the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council in support of the local government council took turns to swear to the deity of Andoni land – York-Obolo, promising never to indulge in any form of hostility and criminality or any act capable of undermining and truncating the prevailing peace in Andoni.
The move comes barely two months after the misguided youths underwent a 3-day reorientation programme to change their mindset from violent behaviour and criminal intentions with a view to reintegrating them to the society and making them useful to themselves.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the traditional oath of peace ceremony in Agwut-Obolo, the Traditional Seat of Andoni, the Andoni Council Chairman, Barrister Erastus Charles Awortu, said the ceremony was the climax of sustained efforts by the traditional rulers and his administration to address the root causes of insecurity in Andoni and restore an enduring peace in the area.
He noted that the traditional oath of peace was to formalise the commitment to peace by the repentant cultists, while expressing optimism that Andoni would not be known for violence anymore.
“I am highly delighted that in spite of the odds and huddles that we faced, we have been able to get to this climax where we can now hope that we have respite. Since we made oral commitment to peace, we have seen that the place have calm down, this is just a way of formalizing it according to their belief and we believe we will have an enduring peace. Andoni will not be known for violence anymore. It is a thing of joy, honestly speaking”.
Awortu also said his administration was reaching out to companies operating within the Andoni territory to engage some of the repentant youths as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and contribution towards the sustenance of the existing peace in Andoni.
He hinted that some of the repentant cultists would benefit from the Forest Reserves Initiative of his administration which aims at preserving wildlife in Andoni forest, and harnessing it’s full potentials for the socio-economic development of Andoni.
Awortu also promised that his administration would explore other ways to engage more of the repentant cultists as well as other youths in meaningful ventures within the available limited resources of the council.
“If you see the number of people involved in this circle of violence, you know the number is huge, we will try to engage companies operating within the Andoni territory to see whether they will engage a few of them. On our part we will see how we can create sanitation jobs and engage them so that they can channel their energy to something more positive.
“As you are aware very soon we are going to pass the bye-law restricting hunting and felling of trees in Andoni, and as a consequent of that we need Forest Guards, so, we are going to engage some of them in that regard. We are also going to explore other areas within our limited resources to engage the former deviant youths as well as other youths to make meaningful to themselves and to the society”.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Andoni Traditional Rulers Council and Okaan-Ama Ngo, King Okruket Nnabiget, who led other traditional rulers to witness the oath taking by the repentant cultists, expressed joy at the return of peace to Andoni.
“Today, we are here in Agwut-Obolo the traditional seat of Andoni people to see the final end of the oath taking of our sons who engaged themselves in cultism, the group leaders are here, they have already taken the oath, we are here as committee handling the peace initiative to administer and supervise the oath taking process and this is the final stage. Personally, I am very happy because finally peace has returned to Andoni now, to God be the glory”.
The monarch also assured the repentant cultists that they will not be left idle as he promised that the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council would work assiduously with LG chairman to secure training and employment opportunities for them in companies operating within the Andoni territory as well as other areas of job opportunities.
“When I resumed office as chairman of the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council by June this year, and I promised that as far as I am concerned, the repentant cultists will not be left idle, if they embrace peace. I promised to engage companies operating within the Andoni territory to secure training and employment opportunities for them to earn legitimate income to maintain themselves so that they will not return to cultism anymore. I and members of the traditional rulers’ council as well as the local government chairman have promised to get them something doing so that they will not return to crime”, he added.
By: Enoch Epelle
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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