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Your PVC’s Your Power, Banigo Tells Kalabari Electorate …As Woke Warns Degema People Against Leaving Mainstream Politics
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr.Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has informed the people of Degema Local Government Area that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC)was their power.
Banigo stated this during the collect and protect your PVC sensitisation and mobilisation rally, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at the Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry Stadium in Degema, last Sunday.
The deputy governor, who insisted that the PVC was key in the 2023 General Election, advised eligible voters to collect and keep their PVCs safe in order to vote candidates of their choice that would provide democratic dividends.
In his address, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, informed the people that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was done with registration of eligible voters, adding that they were now in the era of PVC collection.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Degema, for the solidarity and show of love for GDI, especially the elders of Degema, noting that this means the leaders of the areawere doing well.
Fubara clarified that the gathering was not for political campaigns or to canvass for votes for any political party but to stimulate GDI members to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards to be able to take part in the 2023 elections.
“We are not asking you to vote anybody here now because we know when it is time for vote you people know what to do. Our duty here is to ensure that every single PVC belonging to the GDI and PDP members from Ward 1 to Ward 17 of Degema is collected. That is the main reason for our coming. When you collect the PVC ensure they are kept safe”.
He also spoke highly of the turnout of GDI members and other indigenes of Degema for the rally.
“We are not campaigning, we have come to encourage our supporters here that have stood with us even in the face of the political drama when people are saying that GDI is no longer in this axis of the state.We have come here today to see with our own eyes. Like our chairman used to say, the human beings I am seeing in Degemaarelike ‘sand’. That is what I’m seeing. It means that GDI is strong here in Degema. If GDI is strong, it means PDP is also strong”.
He thanked the people of Degema, especially the aged for their show of love, support and solidarity.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor, who spoke through his Deputy, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, informed the people that it behoves on them to make efforts to collect their PVCs in order exercise their franchise in 2023.
Akawor, who is also the chairman of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), commended the people of Degema for turning out in their numbers for the rally, arguing the colourful crowd showed that GDI exist in Degema contrary to what was being speculated.
On his part, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, told Kalabari people not to allow few self-styled leaders in the area to deceive them.
He said that over the weekend, a group of people who claimed to be South-South elders, women, youths and student leaders from Kalabari had alleged that they have adopted a governorship candidate, but wondered how only Kalabari would decide on the issue of governorship for the entire South-South which is made up of six states.
He expressed optimism that Kalabari people would not isolate themselves from mainstream politics, especially against the backdrop of what Governor NyesomWike has done for the people.
“The administration of NyesomWike has impacted positively on the Kalabari ethnic nationality, if not for anything, the appointment of a Kalabari daughter as deputy governor. The era of ethnic politics in Rivers State is over. I know that SiminialayiFubara is a Kalabari son”, he said.
Earlier, the President General of GDI, Hon. Bright Amewhule, had said that on the day of election, all eligible voters should come out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice and ensure that the results are transmitted at the polling units, in order to forestall manipulations.
The rally, which attracted people from various walks of life, including the PDP Governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara; the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who is also the candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District; Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof NgoziOrdu; Chief of Staff, Government House, EngrEmeka Woke; local government chairmen; former and serving commissioners; some members of the National and State Assembly; and candidates of both legislative chambers.
Others are GDI and PDP members led separately by President General, Chief Bright Amaewhule, and the party’s Deputy Chairman,Chukwuemeka Aaron, who represented the State Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, traditional rulers, women and youth groups.
The event, which featured solidarity speeches from stakeholders of Degema, dwelt on PVC collection and security of the voting instrument as well as gyration dance by GDI members from the 17 wards that make up the LGA.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.