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Indigenes Say Gov Fubara Has Opened Andoni
Indigenes of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State say the completion of the Andoni section of the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road, has now further opened the area to the international community.
The Andoni section of the Unity Road completed by the administration of Sir Sim Fubara. The road will be commissioned on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 as part of activities marking the administration’s first year in office.
The Unity Road was conceived over twenty-four years ago by the administration of Sir Peter Odili and has been continued by his successors in Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike.
Governor Fubara has now extended the road to Ngo, headquarters of the local government area.
Several indigenes of the area in an interview praised the governor for his dedication to the project, saying they never believed it when Governor Fubara assured of taking the road to Ngo within his first year in office
According to Chief Awajiokunye Mbosowo, the head Chief of Ukumor family, Ngo town, “we are very grateful to His Excellency, our amiable most focused and action parked Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his timely response and completion of the Andoni section of Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road. Dr. Peter Odili awarded the road during his second tenure in office; we congratulate the governor for his zeal, determination, and vigour to complete the road within his first year in office.
“This is most commendable because despite all the challenges, distractions, and economic downturn, he braved it all and completed the road in good time and in quality. We say thank you for your unflinching love for the Andoni people. We sincerely appreciate and welcome you to the commissioning of this all-important project that now links Ngo, our headquarters, and suburb communities that are on the mainland.
“Your Excellency, for the purposes of record, this is the first time in history for a project of this magnitude to be completed and commissioned within the first year in office. We pray that the good Lord continue to bless, keep, and sustain you richly and grant you the grace to finish both your first and second tenures with joy and good health.”
Speaking in similar vein, HRM, King U.D Ngere, the holder of the chieftaincy stool in Ngo stated that the people were thanking God for using Governor SiminalayiFubara to liberate Andoni from slavery, adding that “Today we can drive home safely, I pray to God to bless Governor Fubara and give him more courage to govern the state
For Honourable Kingston Sylvanus Nelson, “this is a road that was abandoned for 24 years, but today, God has used Governor Fubara to complete it.
Nelson, who is the leader of the Obolo Sim Vanguard, said the road has not only improved the economy of Andoni but has also helped to check insecurity as issues associated with kidnapping are gone forever.
Former organizing secretary of the PDP in Andoni local government area, Elder Blessing Jackson Tiko declared that “God has used our son to clean tears from our eyes; all Andoni people will turn out that day to welcome him.”
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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
