News
Rivers Remains Safe For Business, Dev -Wike …Blasts Amaechi Over Utterance
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the state is safe for productive economic activities for the empowerment of the people.
Wike described as unfortunate, failed attempts by the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to de-market the state on NTA Tuesday Live, where the former Rivers State governor claimed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration could not extend railway to Rivers State due to alleged insecurity.
He spoke at the second term inauguration banquet at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
In attendance at the inauguration banquet were prominent Rivers leaders, traditional rulers, national and state Assembly members and local government chairmen.
Wike said: “Amaechi claimed on NTA Tuesday Live that he did not bring the railway to Rivers State because of insecurity. What about Kaduna and Daura with very high level of insecurity, yet they took railway there?
“Just this week, the President met with the governors of 19 northern states, and they discussed how to stem the tide of insecurity in the region. Yet, they were not denied projects.
“For how long will Amaechi continue to de-market Rivers State? Was it insecurity that made him not to give the President 25 per cent during the last elections? You claim Rivers State is insecure, but you came to the state to hold your birthday. Every Rivers indigene owes it a duty to protect the state”.
He said contrary to the false propaganda about insecurity, Rivers State has continued to grow her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) since 2015.
“When I came on board as governor in 2015, we met an Internally Generated Revenue of N4.5billion. But now, it has grown to N8-9billion. If the state is not safe, our Internally Generated Revenue will not be on the increase.
“Let nobody de-market Rivers State. This ugly politics will not work. We have not benefited anything from the APC-led Federal Government since 2015. They are refunding money for federal projects, but they delisted Rivers State. But I will not bow to anyone, I will only continue to respect constituted authority”, he said.
Wike announced that competence and loyalty would drive the setting up of his second term cabinet, adding that only persons with 100 per cent loyalty will make the list.
The governor assured that he would pay more attention to the masses through empowerment programmes.
Also speaking, the former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili said Wike has surpassed all former governors in terms of performance in the last four years.
He called on the governor to use his second term to promote the unity of Rivers people for the development of the state.
“Every inch of the journey from now on must be devoted to thanking God ceaselessly for what He did for our state. You have done so much, but there is still work to be done”, he added.
Odili urged Wike to devote more resources to empowering the less privileged during his second term, advising the governor to find a way of reaching the poor without passing through middlemen.
He advised the governor not to be distracted by political intrigues, as the race for 2023 has already started.
In his remarks, United States Consul-General in Nigeria, John Bray said he was very proud of Rivers people because of the role they played during the last elections, adding that during the last elections, Rivers people won despite the challenges of the period.
Bray said: “As I come from a democratic country, I am very proud of Rivers people. During the last difficult elections, the people won. So, I raise my glass to you, the people of Rivers”.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said though the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi came with Army Generals to overrun the state, he was defeated by Rivers people.
Senator Dino Melaye commended Rivers people for voting a man of courage who believes in the defence of the Niger Delta, noting that Rivers people voted for a man who has conquered fear.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi praised Wike for his outstanding performance in his first term, and conferred on the governor the title of “Pride of Nigeria”.
Founder of AIT, Dr Raymond Dokpesi thanked Rivers people for standing solidly behind Wike during the last elections, stressing that the governor has become a role model in leadership across Nigeria.
“Without the outstanding performance of Governor Wike, it would have been impossible for the PDP to be alive in the country”, he said.
Former President of the
Meanwhile, the Governor of Rivers State, NyesomWike, has attacked a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for allegedly trying to de-market the state.
Wike spoke at a second term inauguration banquet at the Government House Port Harcourt.
He said contrary to the false propaganda about insecurity, Rivers State has continued to grow her internally generated revenue since 2015.
In attendance at the dinner were the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Senator Dino Melaye; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogun.
Others are, Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja; Founder of AIT, Dr Raymond Dokpesi, among others.
Wike said, “Amaechi claimed on NTA Tuesday live that he did not bring the railway to Rivers State because of insecurity, what about Kaduna and Daura with very high level of insecurity, yet they took railway there.
“Just this week, the President met with the governors of 19 northern states and they discussed how to stem the tide of insecurity in the region. Yet they were not denied projects.
“For how long will Amaechi continue to de-market Rivers State. Was it insecurity that made him not to give the President 25 per cent during the last elections?
“You claim Rivers State is insecure, but you came to the state to hold your birthday. Every Rivers indigene owes it a duty to protect the state.
“When I came on board as Governor in 2015, we met an Internally Generated Revenue of N4.5billion. But now, it has grown to N8-9billion. If the state is not safe, our Internally Generated Revenue will not be on the increase.
“Let nobody de-market Rivers State. This ugly politics will not work. We have not benefited anything from the APC Federal Government since 2015.
“They are refunding money for Federal projects, but they delisted Rivers State. But I will not bow to anyone, I will only continue to respect constituted authority.”
Governor Wike further announced that competence and loyalty would drive the setting up of his second term cabinet. He said only persons with 100 per cent loyalty will make the list.
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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