Following the coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed dismay and called on state governments to act, saying, “Yorubaland is now under siege.”

The organisation, in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, declared that the latest attacks reinforced growing fears that the terrorists appeared determined to overrun the South-West and, ultimately, the entire South.

The statement sympathized with families of the victims of the attacks and prayed for the quick recovery of those who were injured.

Afenifere’s spokesperson said the organisation’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, “was saddened to hear this unfortunate incident which occurred the same week he marked his 100th year on earth.”

Terrorists had last Friday attacked three schools – Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing a vice principal and kidnapping a number of school children.

Ajayi said, “He sympathised with the victims and their families, just as he prayed for the quick recovery of those who were injured. Besides, he expressed the hope that a total stop would be put to the life-threatening insecurity situation in the country without further delay.”

He declared that the latest attacks reinforced growing fears that the terrorists appeared determined to overrun the South-West and, ultimately, the entire South.

The organisation’s spokesperson said, “The actions of South-West governors in recent times do not suggest that they appreciate the enormity of the responsibility they shoulder concerning the security of their land.

“In view of the fact that the primary duty of government is the security and welfare of the people, governments in South-Western states of Nigeria must prove that they are alive to their constitutionally assigned responsibilities.

“Everything must be done to ensure that no area in the region experiences an attack by kidnappers and bandits anymore,” he said.

A socio-cultural organization known as Okporowo Vanguard (OV) has sympathized with the survivor of the recent boat mishap in Okporowo-Ogbakiri Community, Mrs Bridget Lucky-Amadi, and donated the sum of N100,000 to support her medication and recovery.

The Chairman of the group, Hon. Israel Emeji, disclosed this when he led a delegation of members of the organisation on a visit to the survivor’s residence in Okporowo-Ogbakiri, in Emohua Local Government Area, last Thursday.

Emeji expressed gratitude to God for sparing the life of the survivor during the incident.

He also conveyed the organisation’s heartfelt sympathy to Lucky-Amadi and her family, noting that the members of the group shared in their pain and sorrow over the unfortunate mishap.

The chairman, on behalf of the organization, presented the sum of N100,000 to the survivor to assist with medication and other expenses arising from the incident.

Responding, the boat mishap survivor appreciated the organisation for the gesture, describing the incident as the most traumatic experience of her life.

She stated that she could hardly recall what transpired during the accident, but thanked God for preserving her life.

Also speaking, a member of the Amadi family, Inspector Japhet Amadi, thanked members of organisation for standing by the family during the difficult period, noting that the support was a demonstration of their genuine love and concern.

The delegation later proceeded to the family of the late Mrs. Chituru Emmanuel, who lost her life in the tragic mishap, where the chairman condoled with the bereaved family and presented the sum of N200,000 to the deceased’s son, Mr Goodluck Emmanuel, to cushion burial expenses and other related costs.

Responding, Mr Emmanuel appreciated the group for identifying with the family in their moment of grief and prayed God to reward members of the organisation for their kindness.

The condolence team also visited the Elenga family, which reportedly recorded the highest number of casualties in the mishap after losing three members of the family in the incident.

During the visit, the organisation presented separate sums of N200,000 each to the families of the late Mrs. Ogbueze Elenga and late Aleruchi Elenga to support the burial activities, while members of the family commended the group for its compassion and solidarity.

The final visit was paid to the family of the late Nneoma Promise Wodi, where another N200,000 was donated to support burial activities.

The group also presented the sum of N100,000 to community youths in appreciation of their efforts during the rescue, recovery and burial operations following the tragic boat mishap.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his wife, Lady Valerie, have commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for the impactful implementation of the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme across the country.

This is as Lady Fubara disclosed that about 6,800 families have so far benefitted from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programme in Rivers State.

Fubara gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

The visit was made ahead of the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) Social Investment Programme event in the State.

Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the governor said the First Lady’s intervention programmes have continued to directly touch the lives of Nigerians, especially women and vulnerable groups, without unnecessary bottlenecks.

Welcoming the delegation to the State, Fubara described Rivers State as a hospitable State and expressed delight over the visit, noting that the wife of the President has distinguished herself as a compassionate mother whose initiatives are making visible impacts nationwide.

“We cannot overemphasize the impact that our First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our mother, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is making across the country,” the governor stressed.

Fubara further thanked the First Lady for ensuring that support gets directly to beneficiaries, eliminating intermediaries that often reduce the value of such interventions.

According to him, the people of Rivers State were excited and eager to receive the delegation and participate in the Renewed Hope Initiative programme.

“We thank you for standing by Rivers State and for giving us all the desired and deserved support. Like Oliver Twist, we will ask for more,” he added.

Earlier, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, said the visit to the State was borne out of her love and compassion for humanity, the vulnerable, women, and Nigerians in general.

While reassuring the State of her love and support, the First Lady emphasized that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to engendering the growth and development of the State.

She also commended the giant strides of the Siminalayi Fubara-led administration, especially at the grassroots, noting that with the introduction of the Renewed Hope Initiative, things would turn around for the better.

Meanwhile, the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that about 6,800 families have  so far benefitted from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programme in Rivers State.

She made the disclosure last Thursday  during the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The gesture was part of  the Social Investments Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Lady Fubara said that beyond the distribution of food items, the programme has supported the people of the State through the  provision of local and foreign scholarships as well as  funding for  agriculture and social investments.

She said the Renewed Hope Initiative has stood with the people of Rivers State via women empowerment programmes, assistance to petty traders , support for persons living with disabilities, elderly care initiatives and other interventions.

According to her, these interventions have positively touched thousands of lives across communities in Rivers State, as over 1,800 families  benefitted directly from Thursday’s food distribution scheme.

“Today’s outreach  programme is another practical demonstration of compassionate leadership and people- centred governance. At a time when many families are facing economic challenges, initiatives such as this remind our people  that they are not forgotten. Beyond the distribution of food items, this programme represents hope, care, dignity, and support for vulnerable households across Rivers State.

“As a government, we remain committed to initiatives  that directly improve the lives of our people, especially women, youths , the elderly, and vulnerable households. We believe that true development is not only measured by infrastructure, but also by the extent to which lives are positively impacted,” she said.

Lady Fubara expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu for conceiving the Renewed Hope Initiative and rendering assistance to the needy and vulnerable in the society.

She also extended her appreciation to the Renewed Hope Initiative Office in Rivers State as well as the wives of governors from about 20 States who graced the occasion.

Meanwhile, Senator Tinubu has commended Lady Fubara for her commitment to the success of all the Renewed Hope Initiative programmes in Rivers State.

Tinubu, who was represented at the occasion by a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Betta Edu, stated that the  Food Outreach Scheme  under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investments Programme was launched in March 2024 to provide food items to persons with disability and other vulnerable groups in order to support them and  their families.

According to Tinubu, the act of kindness has been made possible through the generous support of two donors who have committed to supplying two truckloads of food items to the Renewed Hope Initiative every month.

“Our goal at the RHI is to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR which aims to support all Nigerians to thrive and fulfil their goals irrespective of their condition or status,” she said.

Tinubu said that the scheme  has successfully distributed food items to 25 states including the Federal Capital Territory, making Rivers State, the 26th beneficiary.