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Good Governace: Anglican Bishops Plan Thanksgiving For Wike …As Monarchs Assure Synergy With Security Agencies

Anglican Dioceses in Rivers State have said that Governor Nyesom Wike sterling performances in the first four years of his administration was the reason behind its proposed thanksgiving service for the governor and his deputy this Sunday.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Rt Rev. Tubokosemie R. Abere who is the leader of the Anglican Bishops in Rivers State said that the service which holds this Sunday at the St Paul’s Cathedral Diobu Port Harcourt will also be used to thank God for the return of peace to the state after the general election.
“The purpose is to thank God for many of His mercies and favours on Rivers State.
Moreso, the successful first tenure of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Deputy Governor, Dame Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo”.
Bishop Abere listed the achievements of Governor Wike to include peaceful governance in the first tenure, construction and development of infrastructures in the state, and expansion of major roads and construction of internal roads.
The dioceses also listed other achievements to include; improvement on the educational institution, introduction of college of medicine at the Rivers State University, introduction of more polytechnic campuses amongst others.
Also speaking, chairman of the thanksgiving organising committee who is also the Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu said that the Anglican Communion in Rivers State is proud of Governor Wike and his Deputy Ipalibo Harry Banigo both of who are faithfuls of the Anglican Church.
Bishop Ordu said that the service will be attended by all senior \clergies of the eight dioceses in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Bishop Diocese of Etche, Rt Rev. Okechukwu Nwala said that Governor Wike has shown great commitment in the development at churches adding that the event is to celebrate God’s goodness in the victory he granted to Governor Wike and his deputy Ipalibo Harry Banigo.
The briefing was attended by Rt Rev Ralph Ebirien of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Wisdom Budu Ihunwo of Diocese of Niger Delta North, Tubo Abere of Diocese of Okrika and Solomon Enyindah of the Diocese of Ikwerre.
Also in attendance were Rt Rev Clement Ekpeye of Diocese of Ahoada and Gberegbara of the Diocese of Ogoni
Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Rivers State under the aegis of “Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council/Chiefs”, have expressed determination to synergise with security operatives to step up surveillance on coastal communities.
The Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town and Chairman of the council, King Aaron Ikuru, made the assertion after a thanksgiving service at St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The service was to thank God for the released Lebanese construction workers abducted in Andoni territory.
Ikuru, on behalf of the council, assured the people that the area would no longer be a safe haven for criminals as there were redoubled synergy with relevant security agencies, a strategy aimed at tackling kidnapping and other criminalities in the area.
It would be recalled that three Lebanese construction workers who were kidnapped on site in Andoni Local Government Area had regained freedom.
While in their abductors’ nest, the state government had threatened to dethrone traditional rulers of the area if the foreigners were not released.
The paramount ruler said that consequently, the security agencies in collaboration with traditional rulers in the area worked in synergy until they were released after two weeks.
“We are advising our youths, especially those ones who call themselves militants to retrace their steps and return to the fold.
“For those of them who are willing to surrender their arms to the local government council, such ones will be entitled to an immediate reward.
“And for those strangers who sneak into Andoni through our coast, they should know it’s no longer business as usual because the state government is very worried and more than ever before.
“The search light is now beamed on Andoni, so any body aiding or abetting any form of crime in this area should desist forthwith.
“We are now abreast with their tactics, remember that when men have learnt how to shoot without missing, the birds learn how to fly without perching.
“This time around, the state government is ready to take the war against insecurity to all nooks and cranny of the state and we won’t relent in assisting to achieve success in this laudable initiative.
“For those of them who are indigenes of Andoni, we strongly advice them to change their ways or relocate because those people they call their friends have already exposed them by way of information, so this place is no longer safe for kidnappers,” he said.
The paramount ruler thanked security operatives, the state, local government and well meaning people of Andoni for their support, especially on intelligence gathering.
He called on the state government to ensure completion of the road project which, he described, as pivotal to the economy of the area.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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