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Security On High Alert …As Jonathan Visits Delta

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Delta State Government has assured on tight security as Oghara youths are set for showdown over President Goodluck Jonathan planned working visit to Oghara, home of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, who is presently embattled over alleged corruption charges.

There are also indications that the Oghara traditional institution headed by HRH Isaac Umukoro JP, Oreki II, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom is eager to be keyed into the state government programme on the proposed Saturday visit of Mr. President. A move which some Oghara kinsmen says would help appeal to the  President to softpedal on the Ibori matter, which sources claim has the backing of the presidency.

The President is billed to commission the Delta State Teaching Hospital and the Nigerian Naval Logistics Command Headquarters both at Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of Delta state on Saturday, June 19, 2010 .

The multi-billion naira projects were started by the James Ibori administration but completed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The Oghara youths are said to be angered over the circumstances surrounding the corrupt charges leveled against Ibori as they are laying claim to the fact that his predicaments is as a result of the seeming political differences between him (Ibori) and Goodluck Jonathan when he was Vice President. 

Reacting to the proposed protest by the youths of Oghara, Secretary to State Government (SSG) and Chairman, planning committee on the presidential visit, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa said: “We are atop of security arrangements. The state police command, State Security Service, military Joint Task Force and the Navy have been alerted on the intended protest. We are on top of the planned protest as the traditional institution and women are ready to play host to Mr. President.”

He emphasized that the youths ought to have been happy because “the state government has provided this project with an expert health facility for the benefit of the people of the area. The community should therefore be fully ready to play host to Mr. President and you know it is not easy to have the president visit your area to commission landmark projects”, he said.

Okowa noted that the significance of the two projects sited at Oghara is hinged on security and infrastructure development which forms the basis of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan three-point agenda.

According to him, the state of the art teaching hospital has been ready since last year with expatriate medical personnel to work and train resident doctors for two years will be put into effective use as soon as it is commissioned.

He also said that in as much as the state government is determined to encourage the Navy in the provision of security in waterways, the presence of Naval Command headquarters at Oghara will further boost activities at the coastal area of the state.

“This visit is unique in various ways. First, it is the maiden working visit to our state of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since his assumption of office in that capacity. It is equally unique because we will be welcoming one of ours in this exalted position to Delta state. It will also give us an opportunity for the demonstration of the love and fraternal bond which the state shares with Mr. President.” 

The President is expected to be conducted on a facility tour of the Delta State Teaching Hospital and accorded a Quarter Guard reception at the Nigerian Naval Logistics Command after the formal commissioning of both projects.

He would also be treated to a luncheon at the state presidential lodge and grand reception at the event and conference centre in Asaba, the state capital before departure via Benin Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,Abuja.

It is recalled that the projects earlier scheduled for commissioning in November 2009 could not be commissioned due to ill health and eventual death of former President, Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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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

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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

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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.

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