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Nigeria @62: Ikwerre, Ogu/Bolo, Tai LG Bosses Harp On Inclusivity, Justice
As Nigerians marked the 62nd Independence Day anniversary of the country, last Saturday, the chairmen of Ikwerre, Ogu/Bolo and Tai local government councils in Rivers State, Engr Samuel Nwanosike; Barrister Vincent Nemieboka; and Sir Friday Mbakpone Okpe; vowed that the nation can only develop if everyone recognises that it belongs to nobody, and harped on the urgency for the adoption inclusive, just and equitable policies as a deliberate strategy to move the nation forward.
They made their positions known, last Saturday while speaking during the celebration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary at the councils’ headquarters in Isiokpo, Ogu and Saakpenwa, respectively.
According to Nwanosike, “If we want to build this nation, start from your little corner where you find opportunity.
“Nigeria can only be built if all recognise that this nation belongs to nobody other than us and there is nowhere under the planet earth that we can call home other than Nigeria”.
The Ikwerre council chairman pleaded with the people to disabuse their minds from the insinuation that Nigeria belongs to certain set of persons, saying that it belongs to everyone.
He urged Nigerians to use the forthcoming elections in 2023 to select leaders that would refrain from storytelling, while calling on those who stereotyped themselves as unifiers to start unifying from their homes and political parties before talking about Nigeria.
While describing every October 1 as significant in the lives of Nigerians, Nwanosikesaid the day reminded Nigerians of their political liberation.
“To us as a government, it is a very important ceremony because it reminds us that the time we as Nigerians have started to take the mantle of affairs after our colonial masters departed the shores of this country. It is 62 years today”, he said.
Nwanosike, however, lamented that Nigeria was still bedevilled with insecurity and hunger 62 years after Independence.
According to him, “And that brings to my attention the state of our country, today, 62 years of providing leadership and management of our resources in all spheres without interruption from any external force. Nigeria is bedevilled with insecurity, hunger in our land, attack of our independence from all other spheres of our country, a lot of our local government areas being taken over by criminal elements and non-state actors who have now grown so wild and have made it clear that we as a country do no more have the monopoly of violence which is supposed to be controlled by our security agencies”.
He charged Nigerians not to be dampened by the situations of the country, but should rather be more committed in developing a great nation.
“I want to remind all of us seated here, today, that we are all equals before the laws of our land. There is no special Nigerian; there is no Nigerian that is a slave in his father’s land.
“So, we all must contribute our quota in every angle we find ourselves, whether in public service or in the private service or in the security service or even in the community service”.
The 62nd Independence Day celebration by the authority of Ikwerre Local Government Council witnessed cultural dances, march-past from corps members, military and paramilitary personnel, and some secondary schools, amongst others.
It was attended by traditional rulers, politicians, civil servants, and members of the public.
In his remarks, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council Chairman, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka,said he was proud to be a Nigerian because it was a great nation despite the numerous challenges that the country was pass through.
He said that, “we are still striving and growing incrementally”.
Nemieboka said this at a thanksgiving service organised to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary held at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Ogu.
The first Bible reading was taken from 1st Chronicles 16: 20-26, by Barrister Vincent Nemieboka while the second reading was taken by the Vice Chairman of council, Hon Eunice Alabo from Philippians 4: 10-19.
Giving his goodwill message, Nemieboka said he considered it necessary to organise the thanksgiving service instead of a parade because of the efficacy of prayers.
According to him, “the faith we have that God will help us succeed, no matter our strength”, and the promise he had made that we would annually mark the creation of the LGA in the presence of God.
He said when he started his campaign; he had envisaged that without God, it would be impossible for anyone to succeed in life, which was why his campaign slogan was “It will end in Praise”.
Nemieboka said “despite our modest size and financial allocation Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area is the richest LGA, and for this reason, I am proud that we have a LGA of our own”.
He said the people of Ogu/Bolo should always give thanks to God because the creation of the LGA had fostered unity, “and we should key into that unity, and live as one indivisible people.
“The creation of the LGA has put our name in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we don’t need to lobby for appointments as it is now our right to be given fair share in political appointments”.
Nemieboka said that since he assumed office 16 months ago, he has been able to invest substantial resources in conflict resolution, unity among the people, and infrastructure development in all the communities to advance the development of the area.
Currently, he said the council was embarking on massive skills acquisition programme with over 2,000 youths who have been enrolled for the programme.
The first batch of the programme has begun and would end by the end of October, giving way for the second batch, he said.
Nemieboka also said that as the campaigns for 2023 elections commence, political parties should not malign or be violent to one another.
He appealed that the process should be done peaceful, and called on political leaders of the various political parties to caution their members from indulging in practices that may upset the existing peace in the area.
He said as chairman of the council, he would ensure that peace and security was maintained.
The message for the day was given by the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Dioceses of Okrika, Rt Rev Enoch Atuboyedia, who admonished Christians to eschew pride and be faithful followers of Christ.
Atuboyedia used the story of Job as an illustration.
In attendance were the Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Micha Frank; chiefs from the area, councillors, political party leaders, CDCs, staff of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council, school children and others.
Similarly, the Chairman of Tai Local Government Council, Sir Friday Mbakpone Okpe, used the Independence Day celebration to roll out series of activities and policies his administration plans to implement in the coming days.
Okpe unveiled the policies and activities while addressing leaders and students of Tai Local Government Area after reviewing parades/march pass at the council headquarters, Saakpenwa.
He stated that the 62nd Independence Day of Nigeria also marked the 26th anniversary of Tai Local Government Area as an administrative unit in the country.
Okpe enjoined the people of Tai to be resilient in their various responsibilities, and stick to the purpose for the creation of Tai Local Government.
He further disclosed that his administration had already put in place measures to cope with the unabated vacuum created in the education system due to lack of teachers, adding that the council was ready to assign volunteer teachers and health workers to close the manpower gaps in the coming week.
Saddened by the poor nature of the education system, Okpe, however, declared that his administration would commence the distribution of free exercise books to all primary and secondary schools in Tai Local Government in November, 2022.
He also promised to procure Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for all students in SS3 in Tai secondary schools.
These, according to him, would encourage the children and youths to embrace education,while also easing some educational responsibilities on parents.
Okpe further streamlined the development achievements of his administration, and announced that all ongoing projects would be commissioned by November, 2022, adding that more projects would be flagged off at the same time.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor
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