News
Tai Leaders Tackle Wike On Banana Farm

L-R: United Bank for Africa (UBA) Director of Consumer Banking, Mr Ilesanmi Owoeye, a customer, Ms Gladys Ugwuagu and Uba Head, Retail Products Division, Mrs Olumide Osunyomi during UBA launch of U-Gold Banking Product in Enugu, last week. Photo: NAN
The Federal lawmaker representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Chief Barinada Mpigi and leaders of Tai Local Government Area have cautioned the acting Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike and Senator Lee Maeba over their comments on the Banana Farm owned by the Rivers State Government.
Reacting to the comments by former Senator Lee Maeba at the inauguration of Grassroots Democratic Initiative in Kpite Community in Tai Local Government Area to lead a protest to destroy the farm Chief Mpigi said, the plot is targeted at destroying and sabotaging the economy of the state and render thousands of youths, women and men in the area useless and unproductive.
Mpigi stated this Monday, at a media briefing at Government House in Port Harcourt.
According to him, ‘Now, they are talking about Banana Farm, and many of our sons and daughters, including men and women engaged in the farm will be rendered useless. Some of them were paid huge sums of money for their crops that were bought for the farm, some of them were paid very little amount in the past, but what they were paid currently has been in millions. But let me assure them that the people of Kpite Community in Tai Local Government Area have resolved that they are ready to follow Governor Amaechi”, Hon. Mpigi said.
The Federal Lawmaker flayed Chief Wike on his inability to resolve the ASUU strike that has crippled academic activities in the nation’s university system, and urged him to dump his electioneering campaign and return to Abuja, where he is most needed.
“The comments by Nyesom Wike last Sunday shows that he has lost direction and bearing. Instead of Wike to concentrate on how to resolve ASUU strike, he is busy in Rivers State jumping from one local government to the other to inaugurate GDI. I think he should start going back to Abuja and sit down with President Jonathan and other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the ASUU strike. Nyesom Wike also mentioned my name during the GDI inauguration, but let me remind Wike that since I became council chairman in 1999 and later appointed as Commissioner, I was not forced on anybody. I was also duly elected by the people of Eleme, Tai and Oyigbo Federal Constituency,” Hon. Mpigi said.
He strongly condemned the planned hiring of thugs, hoodlums and militants to terrorize his people during the upcoming general elections, stressing that the people of Tai, Eleme and Oyigbo have already thrown their weight behind Governor Amaechi.
“Last Sunday, our people saw how hired thugs, hoodlums and militants were roaming the communities, but when the chips are down, they will see. Amaechi has built 22 Model Primary Schools and Health Centres. Everybody in Tai will allow the votes casts at the poll to count”, Hon. Mpigi maintained.
Speaking further, Hon. Hycinth Dike, former Chief of Staff of Tai Council said, Nyesom Wike and former Senator Lee Maeba and their supporters were strangers to their land since they were not conversant with the level of infrastructural and human capital development instituted by the Governor Amaechi led administration in Tai local government area of the state.
Hon. Hyacinth Dike challenged former Senator Lee Maeba to tell the people of Tai and the people of his senatorial district how many constituency projects he attracted to the area during his tenure of office, and warned Lee Maeba and his cohorts to avoid the banana farm and other development projects put in place by the Governor Amaechi led administration.
One of the leaders of Kpite community, in Tai Local Government Area, Sir Mbakpone Okpe noted that the community has benefitted immensely from the Amaechi led administration, including the appointment of their sons as commissioners, award of overseas scholarships to indigenes, and the construction of solar power light project in the area by Chief Barry Mpigi.
Another political leader in Kpite Community, Hon, Mgbo Innocent advised Chief Nyesom Wike and Senator Maeba to withdraw their repulsive statements, and seek ways to end the PDP political impasse in Rivers State, and allow peace to prevail.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi, Mr David Iyofor said that the state governor will not be drawn into joining issues with Nyesom Wike and his insignificant group of court jesters.
“That Banana Farm in Tai Local Government Area employs over 250 indigenes of Tai and millions of Naira were paid monthly to this people. It is one of the biggest employer of labour in that area. It’s economic benefits to the Tai people and the state is enormous,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi says his administration is gradually moving the state from an oil -based to an agro-based economy.
He made the revelation in a press chat with a group of foreign journalists who visited him and undertook tour of projects last weekend in Port Harcourt.
The governor while calling on foreign investors to come and invest pointed out that Rivers state is virgin for any investor. He maintained that the state is ready to give out more lands for any agricultural investments
He stated that already foreign investors have taken over the former RISONPALM estate of about 10,000 hectares of palm, and that an Israeli company has also agreed to commence Farm Settlement in Etche worth about N50billion naira.
According to Amaechi Africa is a virgin land and has huge potentials, especially Nigeria with its huge population.
Even the huge untapped natural resources in the state according to the governor provides enough potentials for any investor, saying that the policy of government is to move the state from oil to an agro-based economy.
Amaechi also stressed that “one way of moving the country forward was through education and if you don’t have it you are in problem.
So far, he submitted that the effort has started yielding results following success recorded by indigenes who went abroad for scholarships.
Commenting on why the people still love his administration despite the political problems he said, “ I think Rivers people have been patient enough…you can see that despite the political problems they are still rallying behind government because they are seeing things on ground ‘’
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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