Connect with us

News

Fight Corruption, Labour Urges FG

Published

on

As Nigeria celebrates its 15 years of democratic rule, labour movements have called on the Federal Government to fight corruption to a standstill.
A cross section of the labour leaders who spoke to the newsmen said that for democracy to strive in the country, corruption must be reduced to the barest minimum.
The President General, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Malam Bobboi Kaigama, said that for democracy to have meaning, governments must weed out corrupt officials.
He said that the activities of the corrupt officials did not allow the campaign to “hold water”.
“ As we mark another democracy, it is our desire and advice as a congress to government that the fight against corruption must be total.
“The belief out there is that democracy in this country gives opportunity for people to steal, particularly politicians.
“Everyone just does what he wants without blinking of an eye, even as government officials loot the treasury without thinking of the consequences.’’
Similarly, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),  Malam Ibrahim Khaleel said that corruption was the most critical factor stalling economic and political development of Nigeria.
He said that the government must use the period of the celebration to put everything in place in order to clean Nigeria’s image from being among the world’s most corrupt nations.
He said that government must ensure that the nation’s resources that usually ended up in the hands of few were recovered and put back into the national treasury.
“Stealing from the people is the same as corruption.
“However, we want our government to educate government officials and the people in authority that when they steal from us, they steal from the generation unborn too.
“We plead with government to take a stand on this through this celebration to show the world that we have a government who is ready to fight corruption.’’
National President, Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE),  Mr. Sunday Alhassan said that Nigerian leaders in the last 20 to 30 years had said a lot about fighting corruption without results.
He said that serious efforts must be put in place to address the real causes of corruption.
He added that without proper diagnosis of the causes of corruption, trying to fight it was akin to treating symptoms instead of treating the disease itself.
“ Until we address the causes of corruption in this country, we may not be able to tackle it,’’ Alhassan said.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers in the National Assembly, have described Nigeria’s 15 years of uninterrupted democracy as a ‘significant milestone’ in the life of the nation.
They also re-affirmed their determination to pursue ‘aggressive’ legislative agenda to reposition the legislature as a key branch of government.
The lawmakers said this yesterday in Abuja in separate interviews with  newsmento mark the 2014 Democracy Day.
Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon (APC- Lagos), said that although Nigeria had achieved tremendous growth in the last 15 years of democracy, a lot more could still be achieved.
“We have witnessed some political development and political growth.
“If you are talking of democracy as participatory governance as against other forms of government, I think we have achieved some development.
“We have had four elections even at a time when we thought it was going to tear the country apart, we still held ourselves.
“By and large, we have achieved quite a number of successes as far as democracy is concerned.
“But relating that to economic development and the living standard of the populace, we still have a very long way to go and they must go hand in hand,” Solomon said.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri (PDP Bayelsa) asserted that the country was better off under democracy, adding that the worst democracy was better than the best dictatorship.
Lokpobiri, who described democracy as ‘a very slow journey,’ however expressed confidence that the country was making progress under democratic governance.
“We are making progress, for instance in the issue of human rights. A lot of Nigerians enjoy their fundamental human right particularly under president Jonathan.
“It is also only in a democracy that you can constuctively or destructively criticise any government or anybody.
“It is only in a democracy that you can hold your leaders accountable.
“I believe that Nigeria’s parliament is the most active in the world given our age; you don’t expect us to attain the same level of perfection as the older democracies like America which is over 200 years, ours is just 15,’’ he said.
Sen. Robert Boroffice (APC-Ondo) said that though the Nigerians were not enjoying democractic dividends as expected, it was better to practice democracy than military dictatorship.
He said: “It depends on the way you see it, but as it is said, the worse democracy is better than the best dictatorship.
“I think so far so good, we are enjoying our freedom. The dividends of democracy may not be coming as we expect and we know why it is so.
“This largely is because of the problem of corruption in the society, impunity on the part of government in some decisions taken which contradict the principles of democracy because there is no accountability.”
Rep. Farouk Lawan (PDP-Kano) said that Nigeria had recorded ‘noticeable and laudable’ achievements since the return of democracy to the country 15 years ago.
He said that Nigerians were now free to exercise their fundamental human right which was not the case under military government.
He said that the country also made ‘remarkable’ achievements in the last 15 years of democracy.
“In election matters, there has been noticeable improvement. We made improvements in 2007, there were improvements in 2011 and I expect that by 2015 they would be improvements,’’ he said.
Rep Innocent Tirsel (PDP-Plateau) said the country had benefitted from the dividends under civilian rule.
He cited rehabilitation of roads, the on-going resuscitation of railways and improvement in the power sector as some of the gains of democracy.
Rep. Ossai Ossai (PDP-Delta) said that developments recorded under the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration were some of the dividends of democracy.
However, the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC Lagos) did not share these sentiments saying “there is nothing to celebrate in 15 years of democratic rule.
“I don’t think that we have anything to celebrate.
“I said this in 2013, I said it even the year before. God has given us so much and we acting like toddlers; so why would you celebrate stunted growth when you have all the potentials.
“We can mark our democracy day but we shouldn’t be elebrating; there is a difference between marking and celebrating.
“You celebrate something when you are happy; when you are grateful, you mark something on the calendar, so that is what we should be doing.
“We should be marking our democracy day not celebrating it,” Gbajabiamila said.

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