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Wike Laments Lack Of Respect For Sacrifices Of Armed Forces
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described as sad that most Nigerians do not appreciate the role men of the Nigeria Armed Forces have continued to play in ensuring there is peace and unity in the country.
Wike made the observation at the All Saint’s Cathedral Church of the Anglican Communion, Rumuokwurusi Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where the thanksgiving and inter- denominational church service organised in commemoration of 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations held, last Sunday.
The governor said each year; the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations begin with the Emblem launch.
After the launch, he noted, crests were usually made available that were meant to be worn daily, but most Nigerians do not attach importance to it.
He stated that pinning such crests on shirts won daily serves as a mark of honour, and a way of identifying with the men and officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Refusing to wear them, Wike stated, indicates a lack of appreciation of the sacrifices the officers had made in fighting to curtail insurrection, secession, crime and all forms of criminality that threaten peace in a healthy country.
Wike reiterated his stance on the need for the Federal Government to establish a standing welfare fund, from which pool money could be pulled to cater for the families of fallen heroes and war veterans that had defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
The governor also lauded the leadership qualities of the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, the Rt. Rev. Innocent Uchechukwu Ordu, describing him as a true Man of God and an exemplary leader.
“I must express my satisfaction at the amazing work I have seen here in this cathedral. I will continue to support the diocese.
“I have never doubted the leadership qualities of Bishop Ordu, but coming here today and seeing the quality of things in this cathedral, I now have more love and greater respect for him.
“This is why I will continue to love and support him because he has shown that he is a true Man of God,” Wike said.
The Rivers State governor also announced a donation of N50million to support missions and other sundry work at the cathedral.
The service was used to offer prayers for men and officers of the Nigeria Armed Forces, unity within families of the citizenry, peace, justice and economic advancement in Rivers State, and Nigeria, and greater grace of God upon Wike.
Delivering his sermon titled, “A Blessed Memory” with text from Prov. 10:7, the Vicar of All Saints Cathedralof the Anglican Church in Rumuokwurusi, Ven. Alex Usifoh, applauded the sacrifices of the retired servicemen, stating that “their sacrifices cannot be easily forgotten”.
Usifoh further noted that a blessed memory is service that leaves impact, loud legacies and unchallenged monuments that will cut across generations.
He urged Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to ensure that they bequeath worthy legacies that would have positive impact on the society.
He noted the sacrifices made by the ex-servicemen, and other members of the armed forces working under adverse conditions without adequate equipment.
He said the fallen heroes and war veterans who served the nation had made valuable sacrifices, giving up their comfort while fighting against insurrection and secession attempts in order to keep Nigeria united, and in peace.
He explained that a blessed memory is evoked by worthy legacy left behind, and urged Nigerians to conduct their affairs in a manner that leaves positive impact in their work places, communities and at the state level, without wasting the opportunities so given to them.
While praying that God gives grace to everyone to have such mindset to leave enduring impact on the sands of time, Usifoh urged Nigerians to continue to support families of the war veterans in appreciation of the sacrifices they have made.
He admonished leaders in all areas of life to impact positively on the people with love and fear of God so as to live amazing footprints on the sands of time.
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, read the first lesson on behalf of the governor, while the second lesson was read by the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Rivers State, ACG Justice O. Chichi.
The church, during intercession, prayed for the Nigerian Legion, the families of the fallen heroes, the state government, the Nigerian government and Nigeria as a country.
One of the highlights of the service was the treating of the congregation to a melodious rendition by the Cathedral Choir.
The 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Service was also attended by chaplains from various military chaplaincies, members of the Nigerian Legion, the Armed Forces, top government functionaries, traditional rulers and the political class.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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