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2023: Dikio Tasks N’Delta Stakeholders On Peaceful, Non-Violent Elections

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The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), has appealed to stakeholders in the Niger Delta to work for a peaceful and violence-free 2023 general election.
He spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend on the sidelines of an event highlighting the contents of a recently published book titled, “GASP” written by Theresa Ebi Tobuyei.
The event, which also had in attendance authors, scholars and lovers of literature, was a conversation on the book drawn from the everyday realities of the adverse effect of violence to both the direct perpetuators of the act as well as the victims.
Dikio, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Documentation, Mr. Wilfred Musa, said the moral lessons of the book were profound and demonstrate how the scars of violence are deeper than the eye can see.
He added that GASP utilised compelling storyline medium to shed light on the “bushfire” effects of violence amongst Niger Delta communities and people.
He said: “The Presidential Amnesty Programme has at the core of its vision and mission, the desire to explore both traditional and conventional mediums in constantly promoting initiatives that foster peace and ethnic harmony in the Niger Delta.
“This is the reason why the PAP has chosen to identify with the GASP literature project. This was further demonstrated by the purchase of 250 copies of the book for donation to select groups and public libraries in the Niger Delta.
“We are proud of the author, she is young and from the region. We hope that the lessons as contained in the book will be useful to all and we also hope that this latest literary intervention will help to improve and promote the reading culture of young people.
“More fundamentally, as our nation inches towards a very critical season in our polity, the 2023 general electioneering period, it has become even more pertinent to utilize creative avenues and mediums to cultivate the minds of our people. We need to have a non-violent approach to the election and all stakeholders must work to ensure that across every area of human endeavour”.
The author of GASP, Theresa Ebi Tobuyei, said no one ever remained the same after any crisis, and expressed hope that the 265-page book would help spread the message of the value of peace, anti-war and unity, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
“I was trying to depict that a group of people might have experienced the same thing and turn out different, individually. Reactions to certain things that happen in our lives differ.
“However, I was also drawing the lesson that the degree of violence that a person experiences affects the person’s reaction to it, as seen in the characters of Ivie, Tonye and Imaobong.
“Writing GASP is not just about the passion. I am hoping for partnerships that will help to spread the gospel of non-violence and peace to the ears of these people. I am grateful to the Interim Administrator for the support on this book so far”.
The GASP author advocated the need for government at all levels to have adequately equipped agencies to nip violence in the bud and provide necessary material and emotional assistance to the victims in the event of crisis.
“I am trying to state that violence is cancerous and a cankerworm and we should run away from it because violence also destroys the perpetrators. Also, I am stating that when violence happens, it is best to always timeously offer help to victims of those violence”, she said.

By: Akujobi Amadi

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Retirement: Ignore PSC’s Directive, Remain In Office, IGP Tells Officers 

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed all police officers affected by the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) to disregard the order.

The PSC had directed officers who have served 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire immediately.

A wireless message from the office of the Force Secretary, dated February 11, 2025, stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were told to comply strictly with this order.

Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission’s order followed a review of its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, allowing force entrants to use their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date.

The commission cited inconsistencies with Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.

However, the PSC clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of IGP Egbetokun.

 

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Be Consoled, God Who Gives, Also Takes, Fubara Tells Principal Secretary 

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has extolled the sterling motherly virtues of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta, and urged the children not to deviate from those valuable lessons she had taught them.

 

Late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta (79 years) is the mother of Dr Ayebaesin Jacob Beredugo, the Principal Secretary to Governor Fubara.

 

The Rivers State Governor, who described Dr Beredugo as a brother,  trusted ally and key stakeholder of his administration, urged him to be consoled in God and bear the loss with fortitude.

 

Governor Fubara gave the advise at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta at the Cathedral Church of St Luke, Anglican Communion in Nembe City, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday.

 

The Rivers State Governor said: “We are here as a government to show that in this difficult time, we stand with him. We know that there is no consolation here that can fill the gap of this loss, more especially the loss of a mother.

 

“But, we want to draw his mind to the good Book: that it is the Lord that giveth, and it is also the Lord that taketh. And he takes for a reason.

 

“We live in a corrupt world, and when you are a saint in the world, when it pleases the Almighty and He believes that He doesn’t want you to be corrupted, He takes away the soul to a better place where death is no more, where you don’t have to look for food again, where you have peace.”

 

Governor Fubara expressed strong belief that given the way Mama had lived and the good virtues that had been read out and said about her, there is no doubt that she will be in a good side in heaven.

 

The Governor decried the current condition of the cathedral where the funeral service held and committed the support of the Rivers State Government to ensure the completion of the building in memory of late Mama Ayebadieye Edward Igbeta

 

“We have been made to understand that the Cathedral needs strong support. We are willing to support the completion of the Cathedral. We will support the building in memory of Mama with the sum of N50million”

 

Delivering the sermon on the topic; “Hope in the face of death”, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Izon, Rt. Rev. Victor Okporu, said those who are confidently expecting positive future must also believe in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and be prepared to spend eternity with Him.

 

Reading the biography of the late Madam Ayebadieye Edward-Igbeta, brother of the decreased, Mr Godwin Ekine, said his late sister was an embodiment of love, care, peaceful and kind-hearted, and touched lives through her generosity and compassion.

 

Friends and well-wishers from Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, some of whom shared fun memories of the late matriarch, were later hosted to a funeral reception at King Koko’s Square in Nembe Town.

 

Also at the burial were the State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Boniface Emerengwa; and Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie.

 

Others are Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; Chief Hanny Woko; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; members of the State Executive Council; Special Advisers; top politicians, leaders and stakeholders in the State; among others.

 

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Old Boys Plan Rehabilitation Of GSS, Okehi

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The Chairman of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS), Okehi Etche, Rivers State, Prof. Sir, Umunna Offor, has stated that the association would soon visit their alma-mater and rehabilitate decayed infrastructure and facilities in the compound.
The chairman made this assertion while speaking with some newsmen after an extensive meeting of the Old Boys in Port Harcourt, recently.
Sir Offor stated that since they left the secondary school, some years ago, most of the facilities and infrastructure built by then Rivers State Government had decayed and worn out.
“ However, being responsible ambassadors and Old Boys of the college, we would not fold our arms and expect government to rebuild everything in the school compound, hence, we have decided to come together and graciously assist our alma mater’, he said.
“The meeting was basically for like-minds to gather to find a way to help the school, it is a thing of joy to see and receive old school friends and comrades who have gone far in life and have excelled in their respective chosen fields”.
Speaking in the same vein, Engr, Lasbrey Amadi; (FNSE), who is also an old boy and former member of the House of Representatives, said the association would be working in synergy with the administrators of the school to ensure that in no distant time; there would be a massive face-lift in the physical infrastructure in the school compound.
Veering into politics in Nigeria of today, Engr, Amadi, said that god-fatherism in politics had seriously killed the gains and beauty of democracy in Nigeria and quickly urged politicians to always play-down the issue of god-fatherism in politics and ensure good governance in the country.
In his comment, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association, Mr Goodluck Nwaobilor, said the door of the association is still wide open for new members who finished from the school to join and work towards taking the association to higher level.

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