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Ojukwu, An Iconic National Figure – Amaechi …Jonathan, Others Mourn Ikemba

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Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has expressed sadness over the death of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

In a statement on Saturday, by his spokesman, David Iyofor, Governor Amaechi described Ojukwu as an iconic national figure, a man full of courage whose contributions to the nation in spite of the Civil War cannot be over-emphasised.

“Ojukwu had strong leadership skills, a fighter with the heart of the people, and his opinions kept the nation on its feet. In politics, he was a key player and would definitely be missed by many,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi condoled with the family of the late Biafran warlord and prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the great and irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan received with much sadness and “a deep feeling of great national loss” news of the passing away of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in the United Kingdom.

A statement issued by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Saturday said President Jonathan joined Chief Ojukwu’s family, the government and people of his home state, Anambra, the entire Igbo people of Nigeria and his friends, associates and followers across the country in mourning him.

The president urged them to be comforted by the knowledge that “Chief Ojukwu lived a most fulfilled life, and has in passing on, left behind a record of very notable contributions to the evolution of modern Nigeria which will assure his place in the history of the country.”

The statement said Jonathan believed that late Chief Ojukwu’s immense love for his people, justice, equity and fairness forced him into the leading role he played in the Nigerian Civil War.

He commended the departed’s commitment to reconciliation and the full reintegration of his people into a united and progressive Nigeria in the aftermath of the war.

These, qualities, he said, would ensure that he was remembered forever as one of the great personalities of his time who stood out easily as a brave, courageous, fearless, erudite and charismatic leader.

The president called on Chief Ojukwu’s family, his associates and followers to make his rites of passage a celebration of his most worthy and memorable life spent in the service of his people and of the nation.

He prayed that God would grant Chief Ojukwu’s soul eternal rest from his earthly labours.

In a related development, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in London expressed sadness at the death of his “friend and colleague”, Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Obasanjo said: “it is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague. “He and I were subalterns in the army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960. “In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria.

“I condole with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.”

Also reacting to the demise of Ojukwu, former military Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, described the leader of the defunct Biafra as a die-hard Nigerian who strongly believed in the nation’s potentials.

Gowon told newsmen that Ojukwu “loved Nigeria so much; he merely wanted to opt out over perceived injustice to his people.

“But we said no because we felt we can resolve our differences as one family,” Gowon said in Jos on Saturday.

He said that Ojukwu’s return to Nigeria after 13 years in exile and his bid to lead the nation by contesting the presidency several times was a testimony to his wish for a better and stronger Nigeria.

The former military leader lauded Ojukwu’s fighting spirit and ability to go all out to pursue his conviction but rejected suggestions that Ojukwu was an enemy.

He said that his death would naturally invoke memories of the Civil War but he was simply a colleague and later an opponent.

Gowon expressed happiness that Nigerians were able to reconcile their differences after the war, saying that the international community praised that ability to live together after the hostility.

Gowon said that he admired Ojukwu’s love for his people and his resolve to fight for them, adding that he was happy the war had eventually shown the need for Nigeria to be one.

The war of unity ended on January 15, 1970.

Also, some state governors and other Nigerians have paid tributes to the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, National leader of All Progressive Grand Alliance.

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi described the death as a “national tragedy of immense proportion”.

In a message conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Onyekachi Eni, the governor said “Ojukwu was an icon of inestimable value, as his death marks the, ‘end of an era’.

In the same vein, some Nigerians in the United States have described the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, as “a very remarkable Nigerian”, who will be missed by all, especially, the Igbo. They said his name would “never be missing in the history of Nigeria.”

A Community Leader, Michael Adeniyi, said that Odimegwu- Ojukwu’s return to Nigeria after many years in exile and participation in politics brought awareness to the plight of many Nigerians.

An ex-Biafran soldier, Chief Stephen Aleke, described Odimegwu-Ojukwu as a consummate leader, who challenged the oppression of his people with all his might.

“During the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War, ‘Ikemba’ led by example, as he exhibited traits which motivated us to fight for the Igbo cause.

“It was unfortunate that he was not given the opportunity of ruling Nigeria, as he could have made a big difference in the country’s leadership, which had been stagnated by its successive leaders.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday said that Nigeria had lost a foremost soldier and statesman.

He recalled that Odumegwu-Ojukwu joined the Nigerian Army in 1957 with a degree from University of Oxford, England, making him the most educated Nigerian to have done so at the time.

The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the dead and urged his family to take solace in the fact that Odumegwu-Ojukwu lived a fulfilled life and died at a ripe age.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta in statement in Asaba yesterday said that the news of Odimegwu-Ojukwu’s death was shocking.

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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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