Rivers
S’South Arewa Community Backs Wike’s Presidential Bid ….Says He Is Most Experienced
As more presidential aspirants across all the political parties declare their interests to contest the 2023 Presidency, the Association of Arewa Community, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chapter, in the South-South geo-political zone, has thrown its weight behind the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s presidential ambition.
The association said having assessed all the presidential aspirants, irrespective of political affiliation and ethnic colouration, it has found Governor Wike as the most qualified and experienced for the onerous job of the President.
The organisation, an umbrella body of all Nigerian citizens of Northern extraction living in the South-South region, said the members are more at home with Governor Wike becoming the next President of Nigeria than any of the aspirants that have indicated interest in the office.
The members of the association said their position is based on the love Wike has shown to all the Northerners and other non-indigenes resident in Rivers State and his track record of achievements since his assumption of office as the Rivers State Governor in 2015.
A statement issued and signed by the association’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Walu, commended Governor Wike for all his laudable achievements that have transformed Rivers State to a tourist attraction and investors’ haven.
According to the statement, “Rivers State has never had it so good and secure before now, and this is basically as a result of the developmental strides of Governor Wike, in addition to all the security mechanism he has put in place and which has drastically reduced insecurity in the State”.
The Association of Arewa Community expressed the belief that if Wike is given the chance to lead Nigeria as its President, he “will replicate the same developmental strides across the nation, a feat that has nationally and globally earned him the accolade, ‘Mr. Quality Projects’”.
According to them, the Association has already put all machinery in place to persuade other party delegates, especially those from the North, to vote for the Governor during the party’s primaries and eventually as President of Nigeria.
The Arewa Community, PDP Chapter in the South-South zone, as the most embracing and politically conscious association of Muslim and Christian groups and citizens of Northern extraction, said they are only motivated to support Wike for the general interest and welfare of all Nigerians, and that the association is not an opposition group to any local, state or federal government.
“We believe in good governance which is the effective exercise of power and authority in a manner that serves and improves the quality of life of the Nigerian people.
“This includes using state power to create an egalitarian society in which the full development of individuals and their capacity to control their lives are guaranteed,” the association declared.
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso