News
Be Apostle Of PVC Registration, Fubara Tells GDI As Group Takes Sensitisation To Ikwerre
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 elections in Rivers Stare, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, has harped on the importance of the Permanent Voters’ Card registration exercise, calling on those who were yet to register and collect theirs, to do so without delay.
The governorship candidate said this at the PVC sensitisation programme, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI), in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Sunday.
The event, which took place at St. Anthony’s Primary School, Igwuruta, attracted hundreds of members of the organisation from across the state, and featured ward-by-ward gyration and solidarity speeches by stakeholders of Ikwerre Local Government Area and the Senatorial candidate of Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief Allwell Onyesoh.
Fubara, who clarified that the event was not for campaign purposes, noted that it was to sensitise the people of Ikwerre on the need to register and obtain their PVC.
“We are not here for campaigns. The reason why we are here is to encourage our people, members of GDI to preach to more people, encourage them to go and get their PVC. That is why we are here. We are not here to talk about election. We are not here to talk about party. GDI is a pressure group it is not a political party so the purpose of our gathering this afternoon is to tell us the reason why we should encourage our wards, people to increase their drive for PVC “.
Fubara encouraged everyone to be patient and wait for the time of campaign when he will speak as someone who has come for campaigns.
The PDP standard bearer advised those who have any issue with their PVC to go and rectify them.
“What you have to do now is to make sure that those your PVCs that are not working, make them functional. In fact, turn yourself into Jehovah’sWitness of PVC by going from house-to-house preaching about PVC. It is not about who you want to vote for: Take note; that is not why we are here”.
Fubara, who described GDI as a member of the family and the soul of the state, hinted that every other group sprang up from GDI, explaining that this was the reason why they decided to start the PVC sensitisation programme with the GDI.
He urged the people of Ikwerre to continue to support Governor Nyesom Wike, pray for him for strength, direction and success.
The PDP Gubernatorial candidate also thanked the people of Ikwerre for turning out in their numbers for the sensitisation programme and God for the success of the programme.
This position was also canvassed by other speakers at the event.
In his speech, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb. Desmond Akawor called on the people of Ikwerre to mobilise to participate actively in the forthcoming elections, urging them to see the 2023 elections as a duty they owe the state and generations of Rivers people yet unborn.
He charged all those who have clocked 18 years and above to register to vote and see the exercise as a responsibility they owe to posterity to help shape the course of democracy and good governance in the state.
Speaking, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, emphasised that a leader must live by example.
While speaking directly to Fubara, Nwanosike, who is the general secretary of Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) said, “Sir, we want to tell you here a leader must live by example. I have my PVC card with me here. I will not just talk of my own, I will vote, so my wife will vote, my brothers and sisters will vote, my chiefs will vote, my followers will vote, non-indigenes will vote, all the 13 political wards of Ikwerre will vote. Ikwerre is PDP”.
While saying that the process of voting Sir Siminialayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State has just kick-started, Nwanosike assured that those who were yet to collect their PVCs from INEC office would do so because of the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate’s appearance in Ikwerre LGA.
He said, “Today, you have just told us that the job has started. Seeing you in Ikwerre Local Government Area, today, the remaining PVCs in INEC that have not been collected will be collected”.
Nwanosike stated that GDI would ensure that eligible voters across the 319 wards of Rivers State register for voter’s card, collect it and cast their votes for PDP in all the elections come 2023.
Others who spoke to galvanise public awareness and desire to participate in elections were President General of GDI, Chief Bright Amaewhule; GDI Coordinator in Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Charles Wobodo; PDP Chairman in Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Dennis Amadi; Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom; Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Barrister George Ariolu; Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinye-Owaji Ibani; Rivers East Senatorial District PDP Candidate, Chief Allwell Onyeso; Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency PDP Candidate, Barrister Boniface Emerengwa; and Ikwerre State Constituency PDP Candidate, Hon. Prince Lemchi Nyeche.
The Deputy Governorship Candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edison Ihie; Deputy PDP Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; PDP State Secretary, Dr Benibo George; the chairmen of Ahoada East, Ben Eke; Akuku-Toru, Hon. Roland Sekibo; Andoni, Barrister Erastus Awortu; and Etche, Hon. Obinna Anyanwu; also reminded the people of the area, and particularly GDI members, to sustain the momentum, and encourage grassroots dwellers to register, and vote candidates of their choice during the elections.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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
-
News3 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Maritime3 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
News3 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News3 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News3 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime3 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment
