News
Rivers NCSU Tasks New National Officers On Performance …As President Extends Olive Branch To Aggrieved Members
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State Council, has expressed delight over the emergence of new national officers to pilot the affairs of the union in the next four years, with a charge to them to surpass the achievements of the immediate outgone leadership of the union under the watch of Chief (Comrade) Lawrence Uchechukwu Amaechi.
This is even as the new National President of the union, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday has extended the olive branch to some aggrieved members of the union as a way of fostering peace, unity, oneness and harmony within the union.
The Rivers State Chairman of the union, Comrade Chukwuka Osumah, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt said the 12th delegates conference of the union last Tuesday in Abuja, which threw up the national officers was a consensus exercise, and thanked God for enabling the union to successfully hold the conference inspite of some initial challenges.
While expressing confidence in the capacity of the new elected national officers to effectively discharge their duties, Osumah enjoined them to surpass the achievements of their immediate predecessors, stressing that the union does not expect less from them.
According to him, all the NAC members are well known to him as he could also vouch for their capabilities.
The union leader, however, asserted that the Comrade Amaechi-led National Administrative Council left worthy legacies which the present NAC members need to emulate and even surpass.
He went ahead and cited as an example a massive estate constructed for members of the union by the former leadership, and called on the present NAC to emulate the footsteps of the remarkable performance and achievements of its predecessor.
Osumah further expressed gladness that a son of Rivers State in the person of Comrade Peaceman Horsfall was elected as the National Auditor of the union, describing his choice as a great privilege bearing in mind that not all the 36 States in the country were lucky to be so elected to be part of the present NAC, and expressed optimism that the National Auditor was going to make Rivers people proud.
The NCSU Chairman extolled the sterling leadership qualities of the immediate past National President of the union, Comrade Lawrence Uchechukwu Amaechi, describing him as a true father indeed, who has listening ears.
He further indicated that it is rare to see a leader like the former National President, whom he said carried all the union members along, and equally took phone calls of everyone even at the risk of his own comfort.
Osumah also enjoined other states in the country to emulate the good example of the Ondo State Government, which he said sees industrial unions and workers as partners in progress rather than members of opposition political parties.
According to him, the Ondo State Government had expressed its readiness to host the NCSU’s delegates conference and equally foot the bills.
On his part, Rivers State Secretary of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuma Ofoegbu paid glowing tributes to the Comrade Amaechi-led NAC, and congratulated the new national officers on their successful election.
Ofoegbu expressed happiness that the union was able to successfully organise the conference which threw up the officers, and charged them to always toe the path of peace and harmony as well as carry all members along in the scheme of things, in order to truly make the union strong and formidable.
He particularly commended the National President Emeritus for his exemplary leadership qualities, which ensured that the union was able to achieve set goals during his administration.
In his acceptance speech, the new National President of the union, Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday commended the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba for his solidarity and fence-mending efforts towards the union, describing the beginning of the struggles which finally culminated in his emergence as a long walk to victory, contending that “ God was and is still the bedrock of the collective struggle and our collective emergence.”
The National President, while extending the olive branch to all aggrieved and dischanted members of the union, pleaded with them to come back home for an amicable resolution of issues as a one big family, and assured that the present NAC would via legitimate means pursue peace by bringing everybody on board in a way that would not jeopardise the administration’s collective vision and mission for the union.
He also promised that his administration would ensure that the rights and privileges of members are restored in the interest of peace and oneness, contending, however, that the union today needs urgent and immediate measures to bounce back and take its place of pride in the comity of unions, assuring that the new leadership would run an open door administration as well as welcome constructive criticisms and vibrant engagements from altruistic and sincere members.
Among other officers elected at the conference included Comrade Okechukwu Egwumba, National Deputy President; Comrade Jibrin K. Bancir, Deputy National President, Comrade Ibrahim A. Bomoi, General Secretary; Comrade Jerome A. Ilokwu, National Vice President (South-East); Comrade Alice Odjeri, National Vice President (South-South); and Comrade Peaceman Horsfall, National Auditor.
Others are Comrade Kabiru Kwaru, National Auditor; and Comrade Lydia O. Agaji, Chairperson, Women Commssion; among others.
Top dignitaries who graced the occasion included the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba; Representative of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi; and the Registrar of Trade Union, among others.
By: Donatus Ebi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor
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