News
Soot: Back RSG’s War Against Artisanal Refineries, Nsirim Urges NMA
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to collaborate with the government in the war against illegal bunkering and artisanal refineries in the state.
Nsirim made the call when the executive of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State branch, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
He said the association should carry out aggressive campaign on the health implications of the operation of illegal bunkering and artisanal refineries which have been identified as the major source of soot menace in the state.
He said that the voice of NMA in this direction would help to strengthen the effort of government by making the people understand the health hazard they face on a daily basis.
“We employ the NMA to join the state government to sensitise the people on the various state-owned media platforms because we really need to take this fight seriously.
“We can’t afford to begin to have a generation of men and women who would have some chronic ailment that ordinarily they shouldn’t have, simply because a few individual who are benefiting from this illegal act are doing so at our own detriment”.
Nsirim said Governor Nyesom Wike had kept demonstrating that leadership prowess in all facets of life, and that has earned him the title of the new face of democracy in Nigeria.
“Governor Wike is somebody who understands the dynamics of governance. Just last week, we saw the verdict of the court concerning the Police Trust Fund.
“It is only somebody who really wants to make a mark and position leadership in a way that it will impact the people positively that will have time for such things.
“What we do today will impact on society tomorrow.So, all leaders must follow the footsteps of Governor Wike because leaving behind a worthy legacy is what will count after we leave office,” he said.
On the huge investment put into healthcare delivery by the Wike-led administration, Nsirim described the state governor as a man who has dedicated his life to cause a change in leadership, not just of the state but of the country.
“The investment Governor Wike is putting into healthcare delivery is not just for Rivers people but for the entire Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians will come here to access medical services because the facilities are top class and modern”.
He listed the Mother and Child Hospital, the Renal Hospital, Government House Clinic and the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Centre and Medical College of the Rivers State University as some of the huge investments of Governor Wike in the health sector.
“With the award of scholarship to Rivers indigenes studying medicine in the Medical College of the Rivers State University and their counterparts in Pamo University, Rivers State is gradually transforming to a state that will export medical manpower like other nations. This is highly commendable.
“We need to support this visionary leader as he goes ahead to set these things for posterity, because the truth of the matter is, a lot of people are dying today because the facilities are not there,” he said.
Nsirim noted that the massive health infrastructure put in place by the Wike’s administration would make healthcare delivery not just accessible but affordable, adding that accessibility and affordability are the major ingredients that will make the average person to get treated and get medical attention when needed, “and this is what we are seeing under Governor Wike.
“As Rivers people we should be grateful to Governor Wike for making Rivers State a hub of medical tourism in Nigeria. There is no state in the federation that has this kind of medical blueprint where you have all facets of healthcare delivery from training to education to facilities to infrastructure and getting it at top class level,” he said.
He assured the NMA of his ministry’s support to the forthcoming delegates’ conference of the association, urging the association to join in the #OurStateOurResponsibilty campaign aimed at changing negative narratives about the state.
He thanked the NMA for offering to carry out free medical services to help staff of the ministry know their health status in order to avoid sudden deaths.
“We have every reason to change the narrative about Rivers State because Governor Wike is showing the way of purposeful leadership in Nigeria,” he said.
The Chairman of the NMA, Rivers State Branch, Prof. Chizimdu Alikor, commended the commissioner for the visibility given to the developmental strides of the governor, particularly in the health sector.
He said the purpose of the visit was to solicit the collaboration of the ministry in the hosting of the National Conference cum Delegates’ Meeting of the NMA scheduled for May, 2022, in Port Harcourt.
Alikor opined that the conference would further open up Wike’s developmental strides in the health sector to the over 5,000 medical doctors that are expected to attend the conference.
He intimated the commissioner of his association’s plans to conduct a basic minimum medical care to the staff of the ministry.
By: John Bibor
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
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
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