Awajis George News

 Chairman  Andoni Local Government Council Barrister Erastus Awortu has restated  his administration"s commitment to carry out Human Capital Development and Social Investment Programme aimed at alleviating poverty and creating wealth for the socioeconomic wellbeing of people in the area. Barrister Awortu made the promise at a Press briefing after a Media Tour on the Projects and other achievements of his administration as part of activities marking his 100-Days in office. He said the next phase of the Social Investment Programme would be targeted at empowering Widows, Fishermen and Traders economically to enable them maximize profit, grow their businesses and boost household economy in the area. “We have started some sort of empowerment, we have our Children in the Maritime Institute but we will reach out to the Widows, the Traders and Fishermen in whatever way we can so that we can alleviate poverty”. The Andoni Council Boss said some repentant youths in the area had und...

 Ahead of the nation's 61st independence, the Rivers State Government says all preparation is in top gear to ensure a successful celebration. Secretary to the state government Dr. Tammy Danagogo who briefed journalists after the inspection of shark stadium PortHarcourt  venue for the event explained that COVID 19 protocols will be strictly observed. Dr. Danagogo who was accompanied by top government officials alongside security agents noted that schools will not be included in activities of the day in order to reduce and control crowd. The secretary said the activities of the celebration had commenced with jumat prayer and a church service to mark the day. He stressed that  Governor Barrister Nyesom Wike is working hard to ensure that people of the state enjoy dividends of democracy. Dr.Danagogo urged Nigerians to join hand in making the country a better place.

 The Inspector General of Police IGP Alkali Usman says the new office complex and barracks built for personnel of the Special Protection unit, Base six,Omagwa, Rivers State  by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC; will  enhance the administrative and operational efficiency  of the unit in the State and it's  catchment areas. IGP Usman stated this during the official commissioning of the facility by  president Muhammadu Buhari represented by the vice president, professor Yemi Osibanjo. The IGP  while appreciating NDDC for their support to the Nigeria Police enjoined other public and private institutions to support the Force for effective policing of the country. He appealed to NDDC to replicate the gesture for the Special Protection Units in other states of the region. IGP Usman assured to monitor the maintenance culture of  personnels that will use the facility and directed the immediate police operation of the Base. On his part, Rivers State...

 About three persons are feared dead, while several buildings and other property gutted by fire following an explosion from a petroleum tanker at Omurelu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. An indigene of the community, Mr Innocent Amadi who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent said the disaster occured in the early hours of today when a tanker conveying petroleum product was stopped by petroleum taskforce in an attempt to allegedly extort money from the driver when another tanker collided with the tanker at the check point. Mr Amadi explained that the angry  youths and members of the community have kicked against the activities of the petroleum taskforce and called on state government to intervene  to prevent reoccurrence. As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni was yet to confirm the incident.

  The Rivers State Executive Council has  approved  Twenty Five Billion Naira loan from Zenith Bank for the funding of the Oyigbo-Afam Road, Chokocho-Igbodo Road, the tenth flyover in Port Harcourt and other projects. The government said the loan would be repaid within eighteen months from the State Internally Generated Revenue ,IGR;. Approval for the loan was given during the Rivers State Executive Council meeting  at the Government House, Port Harcourt . Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting,  Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, explained that the loan would be used to fund people oriented projects that would further enhance development in all the nooks and crannies of the State. Mr Nsirim said projects to be funded with the loan include, the Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School at Rumueme,  the Chokocho-Igbodo Road in Etche Local Government Area, the Oyigbo-Afam Road in Oyigbo Local Government A...

  The family of   Chief Tamunkuro  Ibisikiminapaka  in Kalio Ama, Okrika local government area of Rivers State are appealing to the abductors of their father , Chief Tamunkuro  Ibisikiminapaka to release him unconditionally.  Chief Ibisikiminapaka was said to be kidnapped on the 15th of September 2021 at his residence in Borikiri PortHarcourt City local government area. Daughter of the abducted 68 year old retired civil servant, Miss Oseleipiriye  Kalio  while narrating the ugly incident appealed to her father's abductors to release him unconditionally. "They broke into the house around 3am it was just my mother, father and my little niece that were in the house and they took him with them who these people are we have no idea ,my father is hypertensive and diabetic,he is a poor retired teacher ,he does not have anything ,so we don't know what the target is, please we are appealing ,we are begging his abductors release him unconditionally,we a...

 The Rivers State government has advised local government Chairmen and respective Ministries,Departments and Agencies to prepare for emergency situations in flood-prone communities across the state. This follows the 2021 Nigerian Meteorological  Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) warnings of adverse weather predictions across the country and   Rivers State in particular. At a closed-door meeting with the affected council chairmen, NEMA officials, and the relevant MDAs in Port Harcourt, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo who represented the Governor of Rivers State  Barr Nyesom Wike, stressed that the parley was necessary in order to prepare for emergencies that may arise as a result of flood situations in the state, particularly considering the precarious position of Rivers State in the predictions of NiMET and its geological position at the bank of the Atlantic Ocean. Dr. Danagogo informed the council Chai...

  A prophetess, Edina Lovely-Worleru who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Rivers state High Court Sitting in PortHarcourt is dead.  State prosecution council , Chidi Ekeh who  made this known in an interview with our Correspondent  said she died last week Saturday after she was convicted on Thursday 16th of September 2021 following a brief illness. Mr. Ekeh said the remains of Late Edina Lovely Worleru is still the property of the federal government and may not be released to her family. Late  Prophetess  Lovely-Worleru was convicted for preparing a poisonous substance in the name of love portion for a lady, Onyema Bright-Worlu that killed her man friend, Israel Georgewill, who was a prophet.

 Kalabari Traditional Rulers and Stake holders have condemned the recent abduction of an expatriate staff of Lubric Construction Company working on the Trans Kalabari Road. Speaking at a meeting in Government House  Port Harcourt Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr.  Ipalibo  Banigo said she was deeply pained by the unfortunate incident carried out by unknown miscreants. According to Dr Banigo, Governor Nyesom Wike is desirous to bring more developmental projects to the Kalabari kingdom, regretted that the act is capable of discouraging him.   “I want to reiterate that our Governor is very desirous to do more developmental projects in our communities, there are many more things he has in the card to do for us, and if we allow this ugly thing to surface that attitude will discourage him” .   Dr. Banigo who said perpetrators of the heinous crime did not drop from the sky insisted that they are community people and must be fished out and dealt with decisively, whi...

 Governors of Southern States of Nigeria, under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum have resolved to support the position that the collection of Value Added Tax, VAT falls within the powers of the states, contrary to the current practice  done by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. The resolution by the Southern Governors Forum is part of the six point communique reached at its meeting  held at the Government House, Enugu, Enugu State. The meeting of the Southern Governors Forum which reviewed the state of the nation and the progress of the implementation of the decisions reached in its previous meetings, expressed satisfaction with the rate at which the states in the Southern Nigeria are enacting and amending the anti open grazing laws which allowed a uniform template and aspiration of Southern Governors and encouraged the states that are yet to enact the law to do so .  Reading the communique after the closed door meeting to journalists, the Governor of Ondo Stat...

 A bill to stop practices which forbade women from sharing in family property has been presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly for consideration.  Presenting the bill on the floor of the House , member representing   Obio/Akpor State Constituency two, Michael Chinda  explained that the purpose of the bill was to check discriminations against women in the society.  Three executive bills were also  presented which include Rivers State Integrity and Accountability Commission Bill 2021, Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officials Bill, 2021  and Rivers State Judicial Institute Bill 2021. Presenting the bills, the House majority leader, Mr Martins Amaewhule, explained that the purpose of the bill on integrity and accountability was to provide a legal framework to fight corruption in the civil service.  According to him , the bill is also expected to promote accountability and good governance in the state. The House leader also e...

 Operatives of  Octopus Strike Force of  the Rivers State Police Command  has arrested  a member of a notorious Car Snatching Syndicate  one Nnali Osita 21 year old  that specialises in robbing BOLT/UBER Drivers in the State.  The Police spokesman in the state Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a statement said while solving a Case of Car snatching reported by one Yusuf Ogunshola a Bolt driver who was hired from Effurun in Delta State to PortHarcourt, only to be taken to Abel Jumbo street in Mile Two Diobu PortHarcourt, where two other members were already waiting.  Mr Omoni revealed that on arrival, the Bolt driver was attacked at gunpoint and dispossessed of his personal belongings, including withdrawing the sum of eighty seven thousand naira from his Bank Account.  The statement further said  Mr  Ogunshola   was locked in a Toilet belonging to a new Generation Church on the same street.  He noted that in the course of  Invest...

A Non-Governmental Organization  Student Christian Movement,SCM; has appealed to governments at all level to initiate program that will aid in Youth employment. National President of the Association, Mrs Ebere Ubesie who made the appeal at a Conference in Port Harcourt stressed the need to prepare Nigerian  youths for societal transformation. Mrs Ubesie explained that the NGO will collaborate with other organizations to enlighten Nigerians to eschew violence during elections ,as well as vote in credible leaders in future election. "We are using this medium to raise our voices and condemn what  has been happening to our constituency which are our youths, the fact is that a nation cannot grow without responsible youths. "This is why we are crying out to government at all levels to prepare for our youths good policies,and legacy to inherit, than witnessing violence, killing, abduction of students in their schools, unemployment among others. "We are calling on government to ...

    A mother of quadruplets Mrs Comfort Isaac's cry for help was answered when the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Rivers Estate in collaboration with a non governmental organization,  Susan Brown Foundation visited her and her new born babies. The woman who prior to the delivery of her quadruplets was homeless as her batcher residence has been demolished  already  had three children with no tangible source of income. Elated with the gifts presented to her new babies she hinted that she never knew she was carrying four babies, adding that all the traditional birth attendants she visited told her that she had fibroids.  She further disclosed that her  husband has no work and taking care of their blessings is going to be very difficult for them.  After listening to her story, Miss Kadilo Brown, the owner of Susan's Brown Foundation offered the mother and the new babies a temporary shelter in her  facility to protect them fro...

 The  Nigeria Association of Women Journalists ,NAWOJ; Rivers State Chapter has appreciated the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr  Ipalibo  Banigo for her kind gesture to the Association.  Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Susan Serekara-Nwikhana expressed her gratitude, while receiving a Desktop, Printer and Uninterrupted Power Supply given to the Association by Dr Banigo through her Director of administration, Mr Ben Roberts. She described Dr Banigo as a virtuous woman, who has shown so much love to NAWOJ as well as women and girls in the society and prayed God to increase her financial sources to enable her continue to touch more lives. Comrade Nwikhana recalled that Dr Banigo had earlier promised to assist NAWOJ when  the  executive members of the Association paid her a courtesy visit in her office and expressed her joy and gratitude for keeping to her promise. Pledging to make good use of the gifts, NAWOJ Chairperson hinted that like Oliver Twist, t...

 A  High court sitting in Port Harcourt  has restrained the National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Prince Uche Secondus from acting, presiding over meetings and convening any meeting of the PDP in the ward, Local government, state or country in the capacity of chairman or member of the party . This followed a suit filed by Ibeawuchi Alex and four others against the  embattled National Chairman and the PDP. The suit filed on the 3rd of this month challenged the right of Uche Secondus to continue to act as National chairman of the party having been suspended by  the PDP ward 5 in Andoni Local Government Area which happens to be his ward  following alleged anti party activities . Delivering his judgement Justice Okugbelem Gbasam held that the suspension of Uche Secondus was subsisting and valid  since there was no counter order or affidavit by the PDP challenging the suspension . Justice Gbasam also struck out articles 59 of the PDP constitutio...

 The Rivers State Police command has paraded one Baridula Gboro,from Bodo town in Gokana local Government area  whose gang is believed to be terrorizing Bonny water ways .  Parading the suspect,spokesman of the command Mr Nnamdi Omoni explained that following the kidnap of boat passengers on Monday and Tuesday,the Police commenced investigation and  invited one of the driver of the boat whose passengers were kidnapped and he said he knew the identity of  one of the kidnappers . Mr Omoni stated that the suspect  Gboro was arrested following discrete investigation and eight of the victims were released in a bush in Bolo in Ogu/Bolo Local Government area. The PPRO also disclosed that the suspect is helping the Police in process of investigation. The suspect  Gboro who spoke to Newsmen confessed  to his involvement in the matter. Gboro  explained that he is a boat driver and decided to join 'T-money' and 'Diladin' two members of the gang to kidna...

 The Nigeria Union of Journalists Rivers State Council has hailed Governor Nyesom Wike on the push for the collection of the Value Added Tax, VAT; by the Rivers State Government . The NUJ stated this in a ten point communique issued  at its extra ordinary congress meeting . In a communique signed by drafting committee chairman Nnamdi Olimini and read by a member of the committee Olelakan Ige said the feat  will not only boost the revenue of the state but will ensure development . The Nuj passed a vote of confidence on the Stanley Job and Ike Wigodo led executive and the  decision of 18 out of 21 chapel State Executive Committee ,SEC; members to maintain status quo with Stanley Job as chairman and Ike Wigodo as Secretary.  The committee further commended the police Commissioner in the State Friday Eboka for intervening in the crisis rocking the union . The Congress also  called  on the National secretariat to fix a date for election within one month and...

 The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ; Rivers State Chapter, has  called on  Government at all levels and Corporate institutions to allocate more funds to the development of the Education sector to create more impact in public accessibility to basic education, especially the girl child who is mostly denied educational rights due to some anti social practices. Chairperson of the Association in Rivers State Mrs Susan Serekara-Nwikhana gave the charge in an interview to mark the 2021, edition of the International Day to Protect Education From Attack.  Mrs Serekara-Nwikhana said the funding of the Education Sector and investment in social services for vulnerable children in the society  would create more positive impact on the lives of the people and correct some societal ills that are associated with ignorance.  She assured that NAWOJ would continue to make meaningful contributions towards  educational development in the society, through th...

 A Human Rights Advocacy Group, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has petitioned the Rivers State Commissioner of Police Mr Eboka Friday on alleged invasion of a Woman's privacy and watching  her nakedness by a Policeman identified as Benjamin attached to Mile 1 Diobu Divisional Police headquarters. In a petition dated September 6,2021 and signed by its National Coordinator, Prince Wiro,  the group urged Mr Eboka Friday to order an investigation into the alleged  invasion of the room of Miss Ebube at Ogwa street,Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt by Officer Benjamin and the  threat to shoot her when the lady who was stake naked as at the time the officer invaded her privacy asked the Policeman to leave her room to enable her dress up. Mr Wiro noted that thorough investigation is required to ensure justice to all the parties involved. Narrating her ordeal, twenty year old Miss Ebube told newsmen that about 2pm on Sunday 5th,September, 2021 a ...

 The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Rivers State Council has distanced  itself from the illegal constituted caretaker committee members by the embattled National president of the union Chris Iziguzo . Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Rivers State Council Stanley Job in an interview with our Correspondent said the illegal team were resisted by journalists in the state when they came to the State Press Center to gather for their illegality. Mr Job enjoined the public to disregard any information making the round that caretaker committee members have been inaugurated. The NUJ chairman revealed that some NUJ members brought touts to take over the press center. Also speaking, secretary of the union Mr Ike Wigodo said the National Secretariat should fix a date for election as the council is ready for the exercise. The NUJ secretary wondered why journalists that always criticize politicians are the ones carrying out illegality. Mr Wigodo advised journalists in the state to st...

 Pensioners in Rivers State have stage a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their gratuities and ten years pension arrears The retirees, who were seen in front of the state secretariat carrying placards with different inscriptions written on them, bemoaned the untold hardship they have faced since 2012 till date. They noted that since 2012 over 300 pensioners have lost their lives due to government's non-compliance with its side of the tripartite agreement reached. The retired Civil servants, however, argued that every effort to make the government pay fell on deaf ears even as complaints lodged at different quarters prove futile, leading to the peaceful protest. Some of the protesters, Mr. U D Moses and Mrs Cordelia Amadi who spoke with our Correspondent vowed to continue with the protest until the Governor met up with their demands.  We retired in 2015 and from that time till now, we have not been paid our gratuities , some of us were  owed 3 years pension arrears...

The Nigeria Police have arrested a notorious cult gang leader  one Goodluck Ezekwu popularly known as 'Big Daddy'      terrorising Ibaa Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. The said Ezekwu whose gang on 25th of last month killed his arch rival, Amobi Oguzo  and his  biological son.   Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer Mr Nnamdi Omoni in a statement said in the course of Investigation, the suspect was arrested in Imo State and taken into custody. According to the statement upon interrogation, Ezekwu  made useful confessions and led the Police Team to Ibaa Community, where one Ebere Amesi and other members of the gang were hibernating. Mr Omoni revealed that on sighting the Police, the said Ebere Amesi and his gang engaged the Police in a fierce gun battle and in the exchange of fire, both Goodluck Ezekwu and Ebere Amesi were caught in the cross fire, where they sustained fatal gun shot wounds. The suspects were taken...

  Participants at a one day training organised by 2021 female reporters leadership Programme of Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism have described the programme as a wake up call for female journalists to be more sensitive in reporting Sexual Gender Based Violence plaguing many homes. Some of the participants Mrs Ngozi Anosike and Mrs Anita Ogona  who spoke with our correspondent expressed delight  stating that the training has thought them the need to document their stories for future reference and also network with other colleagues in the profession to be at the apex of  journalism .  Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, in a virtual presentation charged the female Journalists to be intentional, focused and determine to take the profession to an enviable height. Mr Otufodunrin urged the participants to put to practice what they have acquired from the training as they aspire to be at the apex of the professi...

  The Abia Government has appealed for calm over the death of a Deacon at the Assemblies of God Church one Sunday Ugba, who died on Monday night, along with six other persons in his house in Umuahia. Reports say Mr Ugba and others, including four children that came on holiday in his house, died after taking suya and fruit juice. His wife was rushed, unconscious, to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where she is currently receiving medical treatment. Reacting to the incident in a statement in Umuahia , Abia state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okiyi Kalu, advised relatives of the deceased persons to remain calm. According to the statement,government had contacted all the relevant agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident. The Commissioner call for calm and patience to enable relevant medical authorities to properly determine the cause of the death of the seven persons. Mr Kalu conveyed the condolences of the state government to the relations and friends of the deceased. Mea...