News
Sanwo-Olu tasks agro-food coys to reduce food prices
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on agro-food companies to collaborate with the government in bringing down the cost of food in the state.
He made the call while receiving the senior management team of Olam Agri Nigeria Ltd., led by the Managing Director, Mr Anil Nair, who were on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House Marina, yesterday.
“There is no better security these days than food. Today being the first day of August, you can see in the streets in Nigeria there’s some sort of hunger protest.
“How I wish that you and I after this meeting will make a broadcast that food prices have gone down by 25 per cent, it will be great news for both of us.
“That speaks to the reason why we chose you to listen and hear and be able to work together. You are in a strategic position and you have that structure and that capacity,” he said.
The governor said that Olam remained a strategic brand that had caused great turnaround in Lagos State.
He recalled his days as a banker in the banking sector, saying that Olam was an account that everybody usually wanted to have.
Sanwo-Olu said everyone wanted Olam’s account for the simple reason that they are fast growing, aggressive and are in an industry that had cheques to deposit on a daily basis.
“It wasn’t a company where you need to wait 90 days or 100 days for their cheques. Bankers would hang around their offices, and as the sales were going on, they were just picking the cheques.
“So for us, as government, we watch that growth. I know you must have gone through your challenges along the line either government policies that have somersaulted or some of your good plans but you stayed the course,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He urged the brand to consider its longstanding relationship with the state and forge partnership with the state by looking beyond the current economic situation and leveraging it.
“We’re also happy that half of your entire workforce are in Lagos. These are all indicators that you are here for the long haul.
“Beyond that, I urge you to look at the market, to look at the industry as a critical industry; food security, food systems is as critical as people trying to safeguard either their medical security or even sovereign security in terms of war.
“I believe part of the things that you owe the state and the people that have also been loyal to your products is to consider what level of giveback you are making consciously.
“I don’t want to use the word, “Corporate Social Responsibility” but what level of slow down in shareholder appreciation are you going to throw back into the system,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu called for a sustainable partnership, saying: “At a difficult time like this, it shouldn’t be only government reducing cost or that is attempting to have a corner store in the market to buy and sell at reduced prices.
“You must be able to tell your shareholders that you’ve been in this environment for such a long time today that it should not be about profit-making.
“You should be willing to say let’s even go into this market and just cover our cost, let’s pass on, let the people feel our critical support.
“If we go by our Return on Investment, we should be selling this thing at N5000 but because we are committed and we have also made decent returns in this environment, we are able to say we will sell lower,” he said.
The governor said the longevity of the brand was essential than immediate gratification.
He added that this was the type of partnership that the country and state needed to keep at this period.
“Because of what essence will it be if we cannot guarantee that Olam will be here in the next 15 years?
“I want you to take this message back. The private sector needs to know that there are times when it does not have to be about value to the shareholders.
“Because of the food security that we seek, because of the logistics nightmare that is happening everywhere, and because of the economic challenges that are everywhere. Let us be able to say to our citizens and customers at difficult times, we still want you to see us as partners not as mere people.
“If that’s all you take away from here, I’d be a happier person,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He called on shareholders and stakeholders to be more deliberate and focus on giving back to the society.
“I want us all to see ourselves as stakeholders in this environment. It’s not us versus them, we are all joint stakeholders.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to any of your facilities and warehouses because we know the consequences.
“We need to slow down on shareholders’ return, we need to be alive for us to be be able to earn that dividend,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further said that economic indices never lasted forever, adding that government and its partners needed to know what their roles are in the area of food security.
He urged the Olam executives to partner with government in pushing resources and investment into the food sector deliberately.
“We need to be alive today to be able to make profit tomorrow,” he said.
Nair commended the Sanwo-Olu-led administration for its commitment towards empowering its citizens and catering for residents’ needs.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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