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Unity Road’s Completion, Priority Of Wike’s Govt -Akawor

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Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State chapter, Amb Desmond Akawor, has assured the people of Andoni Local Government Area that the Ogoni-AndoniUnity Road project remained a top priority project of the Governor NyesomWike-led administration.
Akawor, who is also the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this while addressing the people of Andoni during the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) collection sensitisation programmeorganised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at State School, Asarama, in Andoni Local Government Area, last Monday.
He said though the road was one of the most expensive projects, the present administration was determined to complete it before handing over in 2023.
While announcing that the contractor would soon move to site, IPAC chairman appealed for the cooperation of the people of the area so that the project can be completed as planned.
“The Ogoni-Andoni Unity Road is one of the most expensive projects in Rivers State. The governor has made commitment that the road must be completed. This is the desire of the governor of Rivers State. After the construction Andoni will no longer be a riverine community, Andoni will become upland”.
Addressing the people, Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, said he was happy to be in Andoni, and to be received by such a large crowd even when he was told that GDI does not exist in the area.
The PDP standard bearer said the enthusiasm shown by Andoni people has made the job of educating them on PVC collection very easy.
He advised the people to ensure they collect their PVCs, and also safeguard same.
Fubara, who said he was an indigene of Andoni, urged them to continue to work together to achieve a stronger GDI.
“I am happy with the level of awareness in our local government area. Iam overwhelmed by what I am seeing because it has made my job easier. We are done with registration, what is on now is collection of PVCs. Keep these PVCs safe. Ignore any text message that asks you to come with your PVC for empowerment”, he advised the people.
Fubara has charged the electorate in Andoni to close ranks so as to build a stronger GDI in the LGA.
The standard bearer maintained that though GDI was fully on ground in the LGA, they, as the electorate, can be stronger if they remain united.
Fubara also forewarned the people to stand strong even in the face of storms that may come with the electoral season, as the battles ahead have already been won.
He advised eligible electorate to ensure that they use their PVCs wisely during the forthcoming elections in 2023, assuring that their votes would count this time around.
He commended the leaders of the area, women and youths and the GDI supporters for coming out enmasse for the programme.
In his remarks, the President-General of GDI, Hon Bright Amaewhule, said that the large crowd that turned out to grace the rally had justified his earlier assertion that the group was fully on ground in Andoni.
He encouraged those who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so as soon as possible, now that the window is still open.
He added that with the level of awareness among the people, electioneering campaign messages by candidates of the PDP would be easy to drive home to eligible voters in the area, particularly because of the giant strides the state government had made in delivering solid dividends of democracy to the people.
Amaewhule charge the people to protect their PVCs, and ensure that they use same wisely to elect the right candidates into various offices during the 2023 elections.
Also speaking, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, HonAbiante Awaji-Inombek, stated that 2023 elections shall be a referendum on moving Nigeria forward towards progress, unity, development and peace.
He emphasised that the era of ‘top-to-bottom’ policy is over, and that it has become imperative to use the PVCs to secure the lives of citizens and posterity as well as to SIMplify tomorrow.
Earlier, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu, declared that staff of Independent National Electoral Commission in Andoniwere not resting because on a daily basis, the people were busy collecting their PVCs from the electoral umpire.
He also stated that in time past,Andoni was enslaved by the forces of darkness and underdevelopment, but now has been liberated by the Rivers StateGovernor, Chief NyesomWike.
The chairman maintained that with the PVCs collected, they shall execute punishment on those who short-changed Andoni in contracts, scholarships and other basic necessities.
The Andoni rally featured dance gyration by the 11 wards in the area, and solidarity speeches from stakeholders.
Among the stakeholders, who spoke at the event are a former chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and current stalwart of the PDP, Chief Davies IbiamuIkanya;member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Abiante Awaji-Inombek;Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-OwayiIbani; and the LGA Chairman, BarristerErastus Awortu.
Others include the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie; the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule; former Commissioner, Civil Service Commission, Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton, chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike; Mayor of Port Harcourt, Hon AlwellIhunda; and other council chairmen, prominent government officials and chieftains of the party.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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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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