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G20 Must End World Poverty – Ban …As G8 Tasks African Leaders, Pledges $5bn For Maternal, Child Health

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United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has urged leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) industrialised and developing economies to take urgent steps to help the poor and make ends meet through investment.

Speaking at a working dinner on Saturday in Toronto, Canada, Ban said governments must mobilise investments and not depend on consumption alone to recover from the global downturn.

He cautioned that in spite of rising budget deficit and severe fiscal problems, the G20 countries should resist the temptation to “balance budgets on the backs of the world’s poorest people”.

Ban took part in the two-day summit to highlight the need for world leaders to step up efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He urged world leaders to invest in three areas of high return, which he identified as agriculture, green recovery and health systems.

“Healthy populations, particularly women and children can leverage countries out of poverty,” Ban said.

He also urged the G20 to make concrete commitments for the recently released Joint Action Plan for Women’s and Children’s Health.

Experts said the plan would require 15 billion dollars for immediate implementation in the 49 least developed countries, and up to 45 billion dollars per year by 2015.

“Let us be determined to turn around these three areas of high-return investments into a reality.

“Tomorrow, the G-20 can make clear its intention to do so,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General met on the sidelines with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia.

In addition to discussing the summit and the upcoming MDGs conference in New York, Ban commended the Prime Minister for his leadership in co-chairing the Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing.

The UN chief head to  additional bilateral meetings on Sunday in addition to taking part in the main discussions at the summit.

The G20 Toronto Summit  focused on recovery from the global economic and financial crisis and the implementation of commitments from previous G20 summits.

It is also expected to lay the foundation for sustainable and balanced growth.

President Goodluck Jonathan who was invited for the G8 meeting left Canada on Friday after attending a special session between African leaders and the leaders of the world’s largest economy.

Jonathan also participated at a G20 business meeting on Thursday.

The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union (EU), including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia and Italy.

Others are Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and U.S.

Meanwhile, the eight rich nations of the world, otherwise called G8, has called on African leaders to meet their primary responsibilities to their citizens especially on good governance.

“We call on developing country governments to meet their primary responsibilities for social and economic development and good governance, in the interests of their citizens,” a communiqué issued at the end of G8 Summit in Huntsville, Canada said.

The G8, which comprises the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia, said its support for development, would be based on mutual responsibility and a strong partnership with developing countries.

The G8 communiqué said Africa remained a cornerstone of the G8’s approach and reiterated that it would pursue a comprehensive approach to development, aiming at sustainable outcomes.

“We reaffirm our commitments, including Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and enhancing aid effectiveness.

“ Since the most vulnerable states have made the least progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we will place special emphasis on helping them build the foundations for peace, security and sustainable development,’’ the communiqué noted.

The G8 leaders, which met with seven African leaders at the Summit including President Goodluck Jonathan, commended the increased ownership that Africa had over its development process.

The rich-nations leader noted the high economic growth rates that had been attained in Africa immediately prior to the onset of the global economic and financial crisis.

The communiqué explained that they reaffirmed their shared commitment to continued collaboration to advance economic development of the continent, in addition to entrenching a more stable, democratic and prosperous Africa.

It noted that G8 and African Leaders recognised that the attainment of the MDGs was a shared responsibility and that strategies based on mutual accountability are essential to going forward.

“They noted that, while significant progress has been made in some areas, greater efforts are required by all actors in order to achieve the MDGs in Africa.

“In this regard, African Leaders expressed support for the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Muskoka Initiative.

“Mindful of the central importance that maternal and child health has to development and Africa’s ability to achieve the MDGs and of the consequent need for urgent action, leaders undertook to explore how to accelerate progress in the implementation of their respective commitments in Africa,’’ the communiqué said.

On security, the G8 communiqué noted that African leaders also welcomed the G8’s continued efforts to help strengthen the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

It said the eight developed nations were assisting in institutional capacity, to prevent and manage conflict through, peacekeeping training centres in Africa.

The G8 leaders also acknowledged the important contribution of African leaders to the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative.

The major highlight of the 2010 G8 Summit was the financial pledge of $7.3 billion by the Group for maternal and child health issues in developing countries.

The eight G8 countries pledged $5 billion with Canada contributing 20 per cent of the funding or $1.1b and other non-G8 countries and foundations such as Gates Foundation and the UN Foundation contributing the remaining $2.3 billion.

However, development agencies have strongly criticised the amount, saying it fell short of the amount that was hoped, although the funds would still be useful.

UN estimates that about $12 billion in budgetary allocation are needed annually to check pregnancy-related deaths of mothers and under-five children.

UN figures estimate that each year, between 350,000 and 500,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth while

3.6 million children die within their first month of life and 5.2 million more die before the age of five.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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