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Protesting Youths Hired To Instigate Violence in Rivers – Rivers Professionals ….Backs Fubara on LG CTC
The Coalition of Rivers State Professionals has alleged that youths are being paid to stage protests as part of efforts to instigate violence amidst the ongoing local government council chairmen tenure elongation crisis in the State.
The Director General of the group, Architect Ipalibo West, made this allegation while speaking at a press conference at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt yesterday.
West said, “I want to tell you that the crowds you see on the streets today in Port Harcourt are hired crowds. They are not youths that are interested in the development of this State.
“No right thinking person or no right thinking youth of their State will at this moment, in the political life of Rivers State, come out to the streets in an administration of a man that has set the pace in good governance in this country.
Speaking further, the coalition DG alleged, “What is happening on the streets of Port Harcourt today is like playing the ostrich game. Politicians who are not interested in the development of this state are somewhere sponsoring anarchy.
“What they are trying to do in Rivers State is to push the people to react, so that a State of Emergency can be declared in Rivers State and I tell you, take it to the bank, we have not got near any level of declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State, and by the grace of God, it will never happen in Rivers State.”
He, however, supported the presence of the Police at the local government headquarters, saying it is in the interest of the State.
“For the Police taking over the councils, I think it is in the interest of Rivers State, because you can see that if not for the fact that these policemen or security agencies are occupying the local government councils, you’ll wonder how it would have been with these youths that have been paid money to enter the streets to demonstrate against a very peaceful government, very development oriented government.”
The coalition described the institution of the Caretaker Committees in the 23 local governments in the State by the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as appropriate, saying there’s no room for vacancy in governance.
The group’s DG also dissociated the coalition from any attempt to undermine civil governance in the State, as he pledged the body’s unwavering support for Governor Fubara.
“It is, indeed, very necessary that the Coalition for Rivers State Professionals, a body made up of members of various professional groups and networks in Rivers State drawn from diverse endeavours in the private, public and government sectors, expressly declare our total and unalloyed commitment to good governance in our dear State and show solidarity to the Executive Governor or Rivers State, H. E Sir Siminalayi Fubara as he marks his first year in office,” the group said.
The Tide reports that Governor Fubara, last week, appointed caretaker committee chairmen to run the affairs of the 23 local government councils in the State following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former local government chairmen.
The former chairmen who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are however, demanding for tenure elongation for six months, a demand that has drawn the rage of many Rivers stakeholders.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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