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When Women Unite To Pray For SIM

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“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word”, (Acts 6:4).
Rivers State is at the center of propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This time around, all residents, irrespective of religious, tribal and political inclinations, have come together to pray for the Governor of the state, Sir Sim Fubara (GSSRS), in one accord. He’s the proverbial answered prayers of our people over the years from deliverance from Godfatherism, corruption and political wickedness.
In the light of recent happenings, it is clearly evident that God Almighty is securing and protecting the state and government against aggression by enemies of progress.
Indeed, God’s presence abides with the Government and the state under the present administration of Governor Fubara and all lovers of the state are therefore enjoined to continually pray and support the administration with prayers for our peaceful co-existence.
The governor’s  peaceful disposition makes him a personality that nothing can pull down from the hill top of authority because  the  people’s ceaseless acidic prayers are  pouring for him daily.
The peace and overall well-being of any Government is fundamental for the development of a strong society   through daily prayers and Government needs that peace for meaningful development.
Our frequent, fervent and persistent prayers even in the mist of our daily activities is and will continue to avail for our growth and development.
Prayers can put an end to increase crime rate, moral decadence, bad governance, negative influence of science and technology and love for materialism of our people, which is detrimental of our development and growth. Prayers bring direction and orderliness to our state, eliminating confusion and anarchy. Prayers also help to address, reduce and resolve problems as well as tension in any state and body polity.
Not long ago, some happenings in the state elicited condemnations from well meaning people. These include the  closure of the 23 local government areas  secretariats by the police, following the expiration of the tenure of the former Chairmen, for three months; the bomb attack on the secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) in August.
Also worthy of note is the burning of some local government areas secretariats after failed attempts to stop the local government elections on October 5th 2024, by detractors of the government, resulting to some killings among other political happenings intended  to make our state ungovernable.
Their intention to cause a Presidential declaration of a “state of emergency” in Rivers State coupled with the conflicting judicial pronouncements regarding matters emanating from Rivers State House of Assembly among others, all failed to achieve their sinister objectives because of the prayers of the saints, especially a group of dedicated women under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for SIM.
The cry of these children of Zion and others against the impending storm was answered.
The women prayer group under the leadership of Mrs (Hon.) Sotonye Toby Fulton is steadfast in praying for the peace and growth of Rivers State with presence in the 23 local government areas of the State.
Their persistent, exemplary and unwavering commitment to prayer against the enemies when they came against the government of Gov.Sim Fubara like a big Tsunami brought the group to limelight.
Its advocacy of good governance and dedication to prayer for peace and development of the State in recent times also highlights their activities to society watchers. Members have kept merry making apart to seek the face of God for the state.Their spirit of oneness of purpose is worthy of emulation by other groups irrespective of religious, tribal and political affiliation.
For Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, like the Biblical Daniel, has come to judgement to liberate our people from political stagnation and darkness.
Rivers people need to rally round the governor and his dispensation to find a common solution to the crisis by enemies of the State through prayers. Detractors of the Governor and his administration are undemocratic and unacceptable. Their rantings are distractive.
If our hope for Rivers State is for development through conducive business and work atmosphere, and to live without undue interference of unwholesome political disputations, then all must rise up to pray with this women prayer group for our governor, and the present administration.
We need, at this critical period, as stakeholders, to come together peacefully and give the present administration the needed boost and encouragement.
Already, with patriotic zeal, some groups have vowed to support the administration by speaking to the world in different forms, especially through press conferences, releases and interviews.Their voices are speaking against the negative onslaught being focussed to run down the present administration by enemies of the state. One of such groups is The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought (CORSLOT), an elite group of elders, chiefs and opinion leaders, founded as a non partisan, very potent pressure group for good governance.
The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts are a pro-state group that has sponsored over 5 press conferences in 2024 to speak to the sensibility of the present matter in the state by the Convener, High Chief Sunnie Chukwumele.
The group intends, in the near future, to raise letters to the British government, UN,EU,the African Union, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth besides other stringent steps, to inform them of the negative effects of the enemies of Rivers State, anticipating that the political situation may escalate into a disaster if not addressed.
It is their belief that the brazen actions of opposition are bent at state capture and to destabilize it, without minding unhelpful interventions like Abuja Presidential Peace Accord.
Though the Accord was skewed against an elected governor and leader of the state, yet the governor, as a man of peace, did not mind the sacrifice for the sake of peace, tranquility and development. However, the problem is being exacerbated by the opposition enemies.
Nobody is happy with the recent political crises and other criminal activities in the state, but negative and unbalanced criticism and name calling by leaders of the opposition party is not the way forward.
Rivers people have taken solace in God while Gov. Sim Fubara is advised to continually fashion out strategies to address the situation where peace and prosperous transformation will thrive, instead of engaging in negative counter criticism that will not solve problems.
Happily, our answered prayers continue to crumble the undeserved, irrelevant and sponsored criticisms against the state chief executive by enemies of the progress of Rivers State. They have never wished our great state well in it’s desire to become the economic and development hub of Africa via the quality leadership provided by Gov Sim Fubara.
By all standards, the governor has, a little after one year in office, shown capacity in governance with indelible positive actions on our teeming citizenry, especially in human capital and well fare of our people.
Gov Fubara has been roundly commended for his ability to conduct one of the most peaceful elections of our time, despite non participation of the security agencies admist provocative threats and challenges against the state.
This is nothing short of answers to prayers. The battle is truly of the Lord’ and with continuous daily prayers,we are winning the battle to the glory of God.
By Odinaka Osundu
His Highness OSUNDU, Media Practitioner, Traditional Ruler And Secretary of CORSLOT writes from Port Harcourt.
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Politics

INEC Extends Candidate Submission Deadline Till ‘Morow

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.

According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.

“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.

In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.

The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.

INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.

The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.

The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.

It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.

INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.

“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.

“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.

 

 

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Politics

2027: INEC Extends Submission Deadline For Assembly, Guber Candidates 

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties three extra days to complete the submission of candidates for the February 2027 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.

INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.

The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.

INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.

The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.

 

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Yilwatda’s Birthday Outreach Demonstrates Leadership – Kefas

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The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has described the medical outreach organised by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, as a powerful demonstration of leadership and compassion.

Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.

The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.

“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.

He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.

He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.

According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.

Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.

He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.

“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.

“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.

The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.

According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.

He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.

The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.

Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.

 

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