Connect with us

News

Let’s Make Rivers More Attractive For Tourism Investors, Fubara Tells FTAN, Others

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has challenged practitioners in the entertainment industry on the need to have robust events’ calendar that is attractive to investors and capable of driving the tourism sector in the State to enviable heights.

 

Governor Fubara made the challenge when some tourism enthusiasts and entertainment industry practitioners embarked on a Peace Walk as part of activities to mark 2024 World Tourism Day on September 27, with the theme: ‘Tourism and Peace.’

 

Governor Fubara, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, received the group under the aegis of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

 

The Governor said there are abundance of tapped and untapped tourism potentials in the State, adding that the determination of the administration is to drive the already enunciated policy in a manner that will largely domesticate and also attract entertainment activities and other related tourism events to the State.

 

Governor Fubara said much of what can be achieved depends on the practitioners, who must take advantage of the secure, peaceful environment in incubating more tourism-induced ideas and engage with willing investors and promoters, just as they insist to have those activities done in the State.

 

He said, “I know that the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is also working very hard to ensure that all the principles that His Excellency stands for are being put into practical use.

 

“We cannot reinvent the will, you already know all the ingredients that are needed for tourism to thrive in this State. All I can say is that you have to bring out ideas that will make for the right advice so that the government will continue to create the right environment for you.

 

“So, go out, fish in more investors for us. Because, when you talk about tourism, this part of the country has a lot of potentials for tourism, and many of them are still untapped. I believe that you know what to do to ensure that people will come and invest in these areas.

 

“It will not just be ordinary investments. These must be investments that would create jobs and mop up some of the people that are not employed now,” he said.

 

Governor Fubara also urged them to be more deliberate in creating the platform that will encourage the showcasing of upcoming talents in Port Harcourt who will require such nudging to blossom.

 

The Governor pointed to how Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, had served as nurturing place for most celebrated stars in the movie, music and other areas of the entertainment industry.

 

He emphasised, “You have to create a platform where we have to still discover new talents in the music industry of all genres. We have to create a platform where some of the things you go to do in Lagos could be comfortably done here cheaper and you will be able to even have very robust base here in Port Harcourt.”

 

Governor Fubara, who wished them well as they get set to celebrate World Tourism Day, urged the conglomeration of all associations in the industry, to continue to engage in acts that promote the peace.

 

He urged them to do so by their conduct and activities as exemplified by Governor Fubara, who is now the highest definition of peace, srressing that this is why Port Harcourt has continued to remain one of the hottest spots for tourism.

 

He explained, “We have a Governor that wants to ensure that every part of this State is peaceful, and that you can see from all his actions, from all his utterances, from his personal conducts in doing the government business.

 

“I want to thank those of you that are operating here in Rivers State under the different umbrella and associations, and assure you that all that is needed to promote tourism will be made available to you,” he noted.

 

In his speech, the Director of Tourism in the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kenule Kobo, explained that the Peace Walk is a pre-World Tourism Day activity designed to create awareness and mobilise the people to key into policy frameworks to promote and boost tourism in the State.

 

Mr Kobo said they are particularly impressed with the peaceful disposition of Governor Fubara, who has become the symbol of peace in the nation.

 

He said, “And today, the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism thought it wise that we should organise this walk despite all odds, to preach peace, talk peace, practice peace, dance peace, and laugh peace.

 

“All the people you see here Sir, they are with us, and they have come to celebrate the World Tourism Day. Tomorrow is the World Tourism Day proper, but today, we hyped it to say we will move around to create awareness of peace. We started it from Garrison up unto Station Bus-Stop, and round before coming here to meet with you our father.

 

“And today, we are here Sir, to celebrate the World Tourism Day with you, preaching peace to every nooks and crannies of Rivers State, led by our able Permanent Secretary, Barrister Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma”, he added.

 

Continue Reading

News

Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

News

College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

News

Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Trending