Connect with us

Rivers

2023 Polls: Cleric Urges Buhari To Address Insecurity

Published

3 years ago

on

An Anglican cleric, and the Bishop of the Kiama Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Godwin Angwari, has said as the 2023 polls draw nearer, the future of Nigeria is at stake.
He, therefore called on President Mohammadu Buhari to address the insecurity problems in the country ahead of the 2023 election in order to guarantee safety, credible, and peaceful polls.
He also called on the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to ensure that the coming election is conducted freely and peacefully, and that people should be allowed to vote freely the candidate of their choice.
Bishop Angwari, who made this known while speaking to Aviation correspondents shortly on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, weekend, noted that the issue of vote buying, rigging, destroying of INEC properties are very unfortunate to the country.
“The future of Nigeria is at stake. We are in trouble because of corruption, insecurity and killings are at alarming rate.
“The security personnel should not take side in discharging their duties, and if we claim to be giant of Africa, then we should prove to the world that we are giant in everything”, he said.
On the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, the clergy said it is unfortunate, as they did not show fairness to Christians, knowing that Nigeria is not an Islamic State, adding that such move was purely an Islamization agenda.
According to the Kiama Diocese Bishop, who was returning from a conference of Bishops, they (Bishops) “really prayed to God for peace to reign in the country”, and urged every one to take advantage of it to do what is right.
He, therefore, urged all christains to go all out to vote, noting that the era of ‘take the world and give me Jesus is over’.
He further called on President Buhari to “stop the Islamization agenda”, noting that Nigeria from historical record was a Christian State, before the Muslims came in, after they were allowed to stay.
“I call on Christians in Nigeria to cast their votes wisely, because the attempt to introduce Islamic agenda on the multifaceted Nigerian State is very unfortunate”, he said.

By: Corlins Walter

 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

Published

6 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
Continue Reading

Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

Published

6 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

Published

6 days ago

on

February 16, 2026

By

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
Continue Reading

Trending