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End Killings Of Nigerians, NULGE Tells FG, Security Operatives …Woos Rivers Electorate For Fubara-Ordu Ticket

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2022

A seasoned labour leader in Rivers State and Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, Engr. Dandison Diri, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and security operatives to wake from their slumber and deliver on their legitimate responsibilities by putting a halt to terrorist attacks and other criminal activities in the country.
Speaking with journalists recently in Port Harcourt on the state of the nation, Diri described the handling of the security situation in Nigeria by the Federal Government as tantamount to ceding Nigeria to terrorists.
He described the recent confession by the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that a terrorist deceived the government into releasing the wife and family of the leader of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, without releasing the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers as unfortunate, and an admission of security failure.
According to him, “In view of the fact that the government is expected to possess superior power in virtually everything in Nigeria, considering the fact that the major responsibilities of the government are the provision of security and welfare for the masses, especially in the present dispensation under President Buhari, one may be tempted to state that Mr. President’s government greatly lost the confidence, trust and hope that were invested in it at inception. It is regrettable.
“We are pleading with President Buhari to quickly put a halt to the needless sacrifice of the lives of Nigerians by terrorists.
“President Buhari, among others, should call the terrorists’ bluff, equip the security agencies materially, logistically, and in terms of morale-boosting, and be genuinely committed to Nigeria and the people,” Diri admonished.
The NULGE boss said, “States that are willing to set up state police should be allowed to do so. These things are the minimum that President Buhari government can do, and they are not difficult to be done at all. It only takes the desired political and moral will on the part of the President to actualise this.”
The group leader said that there was also a constitutional reason for the President to take the steps because Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it imperative for the government to provide security for its citizens and other residents.
He also restated NULGE’s position on the restructuring of Nigeria, saying, “If he (Buhari) could allow the restructuring of the country right now, history would be kinder to him.
“The president should, without delay, get these things done as suggested above. And in so doing, he could also delegate more powers so that the engine of the country could run faster and more efficiently,” he said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Dandison Diri has urged Rivers State electorate and Nigerians to support with their votes the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election in the state, Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara, and his running mate, Prof Ngozi Ordu, among other PDP candidates.
Diri described the emergence of Fubara and Ordu as better thing coming to the people of the state in order to reposition the ailing economic status of the people which has been undermined over the years.
He warned the masses against the temptation of voting against the PDP which would bring suffering, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and death, describing the duo of Fubara and Ordu as seasoned technocrats and experienced administrators.
He assured them of NULGE’s 100percent support in the 2023 polls for victory.

By: Bethel Toby

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

6 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

6 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

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2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.