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Gunmen Kidnap Three, Kill Three Policemen, Three Others In Three States
Suspected Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped students of Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State; shot and killed a student of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu; while another group also attacked ECWA church in Kogi State, killing one person and kidnapping two others.
Also, gunmen, yesterday, killed three policemen on duty in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, and further injured two others before setting their patrol vehicle ablaze.
The Fulani herdsmen also robbed motorists and passengers who were en route to Port Harcourt from Enugu and from Okigwe town to Enugu, respectively.
In a statement, yesterday morning, Marist confirmed the killing of one of its students.
The statement read, “Some students from Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Abia State, were attacked by armed bandits around IhubeRoad in Okigwe LGA on their way from a final religious procession of some Marist brothers.
“In the course of the robbery attack, one student in the person of Edeh Donald was shot and he later died.
“Three other students were injured. They are receiving treatment and they are responding to the treatment.
“We pray God to guide and protect Nigeria citizens.”
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo State, MichaelAbattam, said that the police had swung into action.
Abattam said it was a robbery attack and not a kidnap operation.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, yesterday, observed that fear had engulfed the area.
Suspected Fulani had June 10, 2020, kidnapped scores of travellers on the same spot.
They were en route to Owerri from Enugu when the bandits struck.
They had also in April kidnapped a Catholic priest, IzuchukwuOnyeocha, who is a professor of Sociology at Imo State University in Owerri.
The priest, who was released days later, confirmed that he was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen.
Similarly, unknown gunmen had attacked ECWA church in Kogi State, killing one person and kidnapping two others.
The church is located at Okadayo-Kabba, along OkeneRoad, in Kogi State.
The attack is coming barely few days after a jailbreak at the Federal Minimum Correctional Centre located in Kabba and the abduction of three poultry farmers in their farm, all in the same area.
It was gathered that the yet to be identified gunmen opened fire on the worshippers as church service was going on, killing one person on the spot.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said two other person who were shot are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
According to him, the pioneer Provost of College of Education Technical,Kabba, Chief J.O.T.Oshadumo, and one other were kidnapped, while his wife and some students sustained gunshot wounds.
The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Moses Olorunleke, who confirmed this to newsmen, said details of the attack would be made public soon.
Efforts to get more information from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Aya, proved difficult as he was said to be in church.
Also, gunmen, yesterday, killed three policemen on duty in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.
They also injured two others before setting their patrol vehicle ablaze.
According to sources, the incident happened around 9am on Ukaegbu/Ezeiweka Road in the commercial hub of the state.
It was not clear what led to the dastardly act and who the killers could be.
This came less than two weeks after the former traditional ruler of Mkpunando community in Aguleri, Anambra East LGA of the state, Chief Alex Edozieuno; and his driver, Chukwuemeka, were killed by yet to be identified persons along Ezu Bridge, Otuocha.
Edozieuno was one of the 12 monarchs suspended last year by Governor Willie Obiano for visiting President MuhammaduBuhari in Abuja with Prince Arthur Eze, an international oil mogul.
He was subsequently dethroned by the governor.
A video trending on social media showed the patrol vehicle of the policemen on fire even as somebody in police wear was seen lying on the tarred road.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP TochukwuIkenga, said that he was yet to get the details of what actually transpired.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
