The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rivers State

  • Wike returns Aguma as Attorney-General

    The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Emma Chinwenwa Aguma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Aguma held the same position in the Executive Council dissolved last week by Governor Nyesom Wike.

    He was asked to take a bow and leave.

    The House also confirmed the appointment of Oladipo Oluwafemi Oghu as caretaker chief for Abua/Odual Local Government Area. This was after doubts about his state of origin was cleared. His mother is from Ekiti. His father is from Rivers, where he was bred.

    Also confirmed is his counterpart for Port Harcourt City LGA (PHALGA), Charles Chima Orlu.

  • Rivers: Victims of demolished Estate demand N5Billion compensation  

    Rivers: Victims of demolished Estate demand N5Billion compensation  

    Victims  of houses demolition at Unity Estate in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the State Government to compensate them with the sum of N5 billion for their property destroyed.

    It will be recalled that on 1ST June, 2017 the Rivers State Ministry of Land and Urban Development evicted and demolished over 70 houses in the estate, claiming that the houses were built on government owned land.

    Addressing newsmen Tuesday  in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the Coordinator, International Human Rights Protection Initiative, Mr. John Ihua who spoke on behalf of the victims, called on the state government to pay N5 billion to the victims for unlawfully destroying their properties.

    Ihua, condemned the eviction said the government sacked the residents of the estate maliciously, adding that the state government encroached on community land and intimidated residents of the estate.

    He said, “We condemn the forceful eviction of the residents of Unity Estate. The forceful eviction led to the collapse of two women who are now in critical condition in the hospital. Several people sustained degrees of injuries during the demolition of more than 80 houses.  Thousands of children, some as young as 5 months old were forced out to live on the streets because they have nowhere to go;

    “We call on the government to immediately compensate the victims of this violent eviction with the sum of N5billion only, and provide alternative accommodation for the victims of the demolition.”

    Ihua said the government defiled the laid down principle, accusing the government of being undemocratic.

    He noted that the manner in which the residents of Unity Estate were forcefully evicted from their residence and their property destroyed was the same in the military rule which lacked absolute respect for the rule of law.

    “We know that this regime does not adhere to the rule of law, but we wish to state that the International Human Rights Protection Initiative and other partners will not watch the unity estate resident rights to continue to be violated by the Government of Rivers State and we stand in solidarity with the people of Unity Estate,” he said..

    However, Mr. Edwin Amadi, one of the landlords of the estate, has called on the state government to come and meet with the community for discussion on the demolition.

    Amadi further said that the land in question belonged to the community and was sold to the residents, stressing that the government does not own the area.

     

  • Union Bank hosts customers, stakeholders in Port Harcourt

    Union Bank hosts customers, stakeholders in Port Harcourt

    Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, at the weekend, hosted its customers and other stakeholders in Rivers State to a classy dinner at the Novotel Hotel, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt. The event was part of activities lined up to celebrate its centenary anniversary this year.

    The dinner which was witnessed by government dignitaries and customers of the bank saw speakers spotlighting Union Bank’s commitment to the development of its customers and Nigeria over the past 100 years.

    Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa appreciated the bank’s loyal customers and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to providing a simpler and smarter banking experience for them.

    “We are proud of our relationship with our customers as this is very important to us. As a bank, we have been able to achieve this height because we have customers who didn’t stop believing in our services, and because of them we promise to do more,” Emuwa said.

    “We believe the best way to celebrate this milestone is with our customers, and over this year we have a number of activities outlined across the country to celebrate them including this celebration in Port Harcourt. While here we are also launching three upgraded branches to ensure our customers enjoy improved service delivery,” he concluded.

    Emeka Woke, the Chief of Staff of the Government House, commended the Bank on the celebration of its centenary anniversary and for its commitment to its customers and the people of Rivers State. Woke who represented the Governor of Rivers State, H.E Governor Nyesom Wike, emphasized that Union Bank has played a fundamental role in the development of the Nigerian banking system.

    According to him: “Union Bank has been in existence for a century helping Nigerians and has contributed immensely to the development of the economy and the country in general. A lot of us have been customers for many years and enjoyed their services. The people of Rivers State have also directly benefited from the financial institution through job creation and other initiatives in the state. We celebrate them and congratulate them on the good work they are doing.”

    One of the highlights of the event was a grand performance by Port Harcourt’s finest artiste, Duncan Mighty, who thrilled the audience with his music. The evening ended with several testimonials from satisfied customers.

     

  • Suspected criminals set family house ablaze, kill three in Rivers

    Suspected criminals set family house ablaze, kill three in Rivers

    Unidentified criminals believed to be cultists has set ablaze a family house at Okpako-Ejemah in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State killing one  Alhaji Hamza Garuba, his wife and a step son.

    Mr. Muhammed Sani, younger brother to Garuba, narrated to The Nation that the arsonists, five in number invaded his brother’s house at about10.00p.m. Tuesday and attempted to rob the family.

    Sani said the bandits had attempted to rape wife of Garuba, but that the deceased who was infuriated stabbed one of the bandits to death.

    He said: “I believed the stabbing of that criminal may have infuriated other gang members who quickly ran out of the house, locked the entrance door and set the house ablaze. My brother, his wife and a step son were locked up inside the house while the house was on fire. Nobody was at hand to rescue them as all of them were burnt beyond recognition.”

    Muhammed stated that killing was not in connection of the clash between Hausa community and task force team in Onne, Eleme LGA, Monday, adding that Garuba was killed by criminals that invaded his house.

    However, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident and added that two persons have been arrested in relation to the matter.

    Meantime, Arewa Consultative Forum, South-South, South-East branch, has condemned the killing and worried that mischief makers want to cause disunity among Hausa community and the people of Eleme.

    Speaking, the Coordinator of the body, Alhaji Musa Saidu, noted that Garuba was killed by bandits, saying: “The incident at Okpako-Ejemah was a clear case of robbery and arsonist attack. The Young man and his family were killed by arsonist who set their house ablaze. Hausa people have co-habited with their host community and they don’t have any issue.”

     

     

  • Wike: I have been very matured – Amaechi

    Wike: I have been very matured – Amaechi

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi yesterday denied allegations by Governor Nyesom Wike that he wasted Rivers State’s money when he was governor.

    He said contrary to the allegation by Wike that his wife and family were into government business, he said his wife was trader.

    The minister spoke in Kaduna after an inspection of the facilities at the Kaduna Inland Dry Port.

    He said: “They have a governor who is a child by accident of Goodluck Jonathan because I don’t want to attribute it to God but by whatever, he entered the office and starts talking about my wife and my family.

    “When I was the governor, nobody would have had access to any government business, not even my wife and siblings and even as minister nobody will have access to government business because it is not a family business but a government business.

    “The problem with Nyesom Wike and I want to say it clearly that if he does not shut up his mouth and do his work, I will bring his wife into focus.

    I have been very matured not to bring his wife but if Wike does not close his mouth and talk about my wife anymore, I will bring out his wife.

    On whether his wife collected any contract or money, he said: “My wife will never. We don’t do family  business. All I care about is transparency, my wife is a trader, she buys and sells and Wike knows that.”

    On the accusation that he squandered money, the minister said: “You believe that? The man who said I have $50 million in Lagos and could not prove it is the same man you believe? The man that said I didn’t pay salary until I left office and he later says no, it’s pension I didn’t pay? You believe such man?

    “First he doesn’t know how to speak English, he is poorly dressed and you bring me into focus with that kind of a man?

    “As usual he was given how many hours on television and they cut me off when I came and put disclaimer. The television station gave Wike all the opportunity to say the rubbish he has to say without facts. He has no facts and he was allowed to malign people’s character.”

    On the approval of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry by the court, he said: “How do we know how the court arrived at its decision? We were not given fair hearing. We were not even informed. There is a panel of Justices in Rivers State, which is the Court of Appeal and by the time we knew it, they took the matter from them and gave to a panel that came from Adamawa.”

    On the alleged clash between him and Senator Magnus Abe, he simply said: “I don’t know about that, only you know If I have problems with him.”

  • Two feared killed as task force, Hausa traders clash in Rivers

    Two feared killed as task force, Hausa traders clash in Rivers

    Two people have been feared killed after some Hausa traders and some youths believed to be local government task force team in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State clash over task payment.

    The Nation gathered that the trouble started when some youths from Eleme, who are operating as task force went to Opaku park in Onne to demand payment of task from Hausa traders who are doing business in the area.

    Mr. Franklin Bobmanuel, who witnessed the incident, narrated that the youths picked offense when the traders declined paying the tax which  resulted to free for all.

    Bobmanuel said that one of the tax officials died during the fight and that the task force on noticing that one of them has died and in retaliation killed one of the traders.

    The Rivers State police command has confirmed that  a church and a mosque in the area have been  burnt down.

    The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed that the two groups clashed in Eleme which led to the burning of a church and Mosque in the area.

    Omoni said: “We are aware of the Incident, but I am yet to get detail of what happened. We have swung into action, our men have been deployed to the area to maintain calm and we are investigating the matter, we will make the report available as soon as we are through.”

     

  • Patience Uzorkwo urges politicians, others to support widows

    Patience Uzorkwo urges politicians, others to support widows

    Veteran Nigerian actress, Mrs. Patience Uzorkwo, popularly known as Mama gee has tasked politicians and privilege individuals to support and respect women whose husbands have died, adding that they (widows) are faced with lots of challenges.

    Uzorkwo gave this charge yesterday in Okochiri Town, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State during an Outing with widows in the Local Government to mark the birthday of the ex-militant leader, High Chief Ateke Tom.

    Uzokwo, a widow, noted that myriads of problems face women immediately their husband died and called for support for women especially those whose husband were not alive.

    While thanking Ateke for marking his birthday with widows, Uzokwo said: “I want to inform you that as a widow there was a time in my life that I could not find what to eat. What remain was to cook sand as rice and give it to my children to eat.

    “I want to call on politicians and privilege individuals in the country to help widows in our society. I advise every woman to ensure that they train their children well, both male and female, in fear of God because tomorrow they will stand for you.

    “I also urge men to try and respect and support widows because they are going through difficult times. Some of these women are not remarried because of the respect they have for their late husbands. All of us as widows thank Chief Ateke for remembering us.

    Responding, Chief Ateke Tom, said he is worried with the pain women undergo in training and fending for their children after their husbands die.

    Ateke noted that widows losing their husband keep them in a helpless situation and urged well-meaning individuals to always stand for and support widows.

     

  • CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    In its bid to tackle insecurity in Rivers state and in Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday inaugurated Naval War College in Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, who inaugurated the college, said the facility was temporal.

    He said the college is equipped with state-of-the-art security facility for effective combating of crime in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    “The Navy has relentlessly engaged in massive overhaul of operation support structure, fleet recapitalisation and decency priority.

    “The college will improve both physical and mental proficiency of troops to deal effectively on both land and marine operations across the country,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, described the college as the “highest and most advanced naval training centre’’ in the country.

    He said that aside military equipment; the college had accommodation, medical space and lecture halls, among others.

    “Naval staff would be trained in essential components of naval operations as obtainable in other top naval forces which have committed enormous resources to training.

    “The war college will improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy while expanding knowledge, confidence and operation,” he said.

    Ibas commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transport Chibuike Amaechi and Gov. Nyesom Wike for providing logistic support for the establishment of the college.

  • Ex-militants hail Buhari, score administration high

    Ex-militants hail Buhari, score administration high

    Some beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), have urged Niger Delta ex-agitators and youths to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s programmes and policies for the region, saying the president meant well.

    The ex-agitators, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said they would remain grateful to Buhari’s administration for empowering them in various skills.

    Mr Reuben Wilson, an ex-militant leader, said that PAP, under the leadership of Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh had engaged ex-agitators in various empowerment programmes and had also facilitated employment for some of them who graduated recently.

    According to Wilson, PAP has also assisted in rehabilitating more than 200 persons from his camp who have all shunned violence and embraced peace.

    He commended the Federal Government for initiating the programme which he said had empowered many youths in the region and scaled down crime rate.

    Mr Jerry Fiberesima, a native of Okrika, Rivers State, said the programme helped him become a better man after living a life of violence.

    Fiberesima said he is now a successful farmer with 28 persons from his community working under him and earning a living.

    “I now have a farm where I plant corn, plantain and other vegetables; and which is being managed by my 28 employees.”

    He urged those yet to be empowered to exercise patience as it would be their turn.

    Mr Emmanuel Onoyo-Akorhe, a fish farmer in Delta, said PAP had given them the opportunity to boost their fishing business and created a ladder out of poverty and food insecurity for the region.

    Mr Reuben Opuobori, who also owns a fish farm, said that the vocation had offered him and other ex-agitators a chance to make a difference by growing enough food to feed the nation.

    Opuobori said though there were many challenges, young people should be trained and encouraged to live on their own and contribute to making Nigeria self-sufficient and peaceful.

    “As we look to find solutions to feeding a world of nine billion people by 2050; it is this new generation that will work together to achieve that set goal,’’ he said.

    Uche Ogburia, from Elele, Rivers state, said poultry farming had become very lucrative due to the high demand for the products.

    “Little investment is required to start up the business and losses are minimal,” Ogburia said.

    He also encouraged those with the challenge of acquiring land for the business to consider family land as an option, so that gradually they would be able to acquire theirs when the business becomes lucrative.

     

     

  • Panic as herdsmen kill two in Rivers

    Panic as herdsmen kill two in Rivers

    … Seven suspects arrested 

     

     

    Two persons have lost their lives and seven arrested after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed the victims at Afam Uku, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    At the time of filing this report, the reason behind the attack could not be ascertained,  but community sources said the attack might be resistance from the victims against the destruction of their farm crops by the herdsmen’s cattle.

    But the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Dr. Chisom Gbali has confirmed the incident.

    Dr.  Gbali said the deceased, both male were attacked and killed by the suspected Fulani herdsmen in their farmland.

    He said: ‘’We woke up this morning to hear the story of killing of two persons by the Fulani herdsmen. I don’t actually know the reason for the killing. But, I believe that has to do with destruction of farm crops by cattle.

    “The victims, I learnt, had questioned the motive behind the destruction of their crops by the herdsmen’s cattle. There might have been hot exchanges between the victims and the herdsmen. One of the victims was from Tai’’

    The CTC Chairman,  Dr.  Gbali, disclosed that seven persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),  Omoni Nnamdi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told journalists that he has not been briefed about the incident.