Awajis George News

  As political campaigns commenced, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Rivers State Council has warned politicians not to harass,  assault or intimidate Journalists covering campaigns in the state. The Union in a statement issued on Thursday said the Union will no longer treat  with kid gloves  any politician in the state who harasses, assaults or intimidate any of her members, describing Journalists as the voice of the society. The statement signed by the Chairman and secretary of the Union Stanley Job Stanley and,Ike Wigodo respectively, also charged Journalists to abide by the code of ethics of the profession by ensuring fair, balanced and objective reportage of political activities. According to him, during the PVC sensitisation exercise of a political party in Opobo local Government Area recently, the Union learnt that a drunk politician without character slapped and punched a Journalist  for no reason. " The Union allowed it to lie low because the victim refused to repor

  NOW THAT RIVERS GOVT. HAS MIRACULOUSLY RECOVERED AIRCRAFT, WHAT NEXT?  Our attention has been drawn to yesterday's dramatisation of the return of an Embraer A600 aircraft to Rivers State, a feat "miraculously" achieved by the outgoing state government.  We however wish to place on record that there is no economic benefit of a private jet to the people of Rivers state. We would like to educate the state government on what to do with the aircraft if it's difficult to understand that there is a global economic meltdown and governments all over the world have their sleeves rolled up for work and not jamborees or investments with zero Return on Investment (RoI), that can only shoot up our debt burdens and deliver an unhealthy balance sheet to the incoming APC Government in Rivers State. We recommend that the state government should immediately dispose the said legacy jet A600 and invest its accruals into refurbishing all abandoned primary and secondary schools, resuscita

  A pregnant woman in Rivers state, Mrs. Vivian Charles has alleged that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO; of Elelewon Police Division, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area physically assaulted her while at the station to bail her relative yesterday.    In an interview with Newsmen, Mrs. Charles revealed that she went to the station with her husband to enquire why her Uncle was arrested but the DPO started shouting on her.   She narrated that while she was trying to put the record straight the DPO rose from his sit and gave her a slap in the presence of her husband.     The pregnant woman called on FIDA, Human Rights and Civil Society organizations to come to her aids and ensure that justice is done on the matter, noting that the alleged action of the DPO does not befit his position as a senior police Officer and bear the good image of the Force.   When contacted, the spokesperson Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko told our Correspondent that the DPO denied assaulting o

  Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. Ipalibo  Banigo says having a population we cannot cater for would translate to the creation of an undesirable society. Dr. Banigo stated this while playing host to members of the Rivers State Family Planning Advocacy Working Group, as part of activities to commemorate the 2022 World Contraception Day, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.   The Deputy Governor disclosed that Family Planning has a lot of advantages because it fast tracks a decrease in maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity as well as unintended pregnancy and a decrease in abortion, adding that universal access to Family Planning is very key.   “How can we have universal access, we have to make sure that there is the knowledge and remove every barrier to Family Planning access, barriers of ignorance, financial barriers and physical barriers and also to remember, that when we are advocating for Family Planning, we are also advocating for the Girl Child to make her choices, and

  Rivers State Governor  Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerians to take the upcoming 2023 General Elections seriously by securing their PVCs and using it wisely and prayerfully.   Governor Wike stated this during the Inter-Denominational Church Service in commemoration of the 62nd Independence Day Anniversary of Nigeria, at St. Paul’s Cathedral Church, Diobu in Port Harcourt .   Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo  Banigo, Governor Wike said he believes God would use the 2023 election to grant all pleas as Nigerians, for a rebirth of a new nation.   “Nigeria must rise again, it must fulfil its divine purpose for which God has put it together, Nigeria has a prophetic agenda, whether the devil likes it or not. We must have the confidence that our votes will count and that we will use our votes to bring in the leaders after the heart of God”. The Governor quipped.   Governor Wike said under his watch, the State Government has been resolute and consistent in providing the dividends of democrac

  Hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; members in Eleme local government Area of Rivers State have defected to the All Progressives Congress joined APC . The APC Candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial District,Mr. Oji Ngofa  who received the defectors said project signature of Former Governor of the State Rotimi Amaechi is still speaking. Mr. Ngofa accused the state governor of frequently donating money to other states government while Rivers State civil service have collapsed without promotion of workers, payment of pension arrears and gratuities and employment of young people. The APC party stalwart while expressing happiness over the decision of the defectors, assured them of equal opportunity and good representation in APC. On their parts, Chief Osaro Chube  who is the Leader of the defectors in Ward four, Ebubu Community and former Councillor of Ward four in Eleme Amasi Osaro said they decided to join their new party because of what the leaders represent, saying  they we

  Federal High court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted the PDP request to join other candidates of Accord in the suit seeking to disqualify National Assembly candidates of the Party in Rivers State .  T he PDP had earlier dragged  Accord and its sixteen National Assembly candidates in Rivers State over alleged non-compliance to the new electoral act.   Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam in his ruling ordered that the new set of National Assembly candidates should be added to the PDP suit.  The Judge also refused the Accord Counsel’s application to strike out the name of the Party in the suit.  Justice  Daylop-Pam refusal followed an application by the Accord Counsel to asking the court to strike out the name because there is no party known as The Accord Party.   Speaking to Newsmen outside the Courtroom,Counsel to Accord , Abdulhameed Mohammed said  he will study the ruling and advice his client accordingly.  On his part,   Governorship candidate of Accord, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs said the r

  A  High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sacked the Paramount Ruler of Alakahia community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Daniel  Ogbonna-Dodo. Our Correspondent  reports that the court also refused to install, Chief Collins Amadi as the paramount ruler of Alakahia as prayed by the claimants in the suit. Justice Okobule Gbasam  in his judgment said there was no evidence to show that Eze Ogbonna-Dodo was dully coronated as the paramount ruler and that his coronated was not done by Nyenwe Ali Akpor which the court said is the tradition of Akpor Kingdom. On the allegations that the king allegedly used his office to sale community properties, the court dismissed the allegations, saying that the claimants failed to show prove of their claims. The judge directed that the people should go back to the community and dully consult the oracle for the selection of a new traditional ruler who will rule according to the tradition and custom of the people. Speaking to new

  The Government of Rivers State  invites the public to the different activities slated for the commemoration of the 62nd Independence Anniversary in the State. In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary Special Services Bureau in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. George Nwaeke, the activities will commence with an Interdenominational Church Service at the St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu on Sunday, 25th September 2022 by 10 am. Other activities are a Juma’at Service on Friday, 30th September 2022 at the JIBWIS Directorate Headquarters Central Mosque, 36 Bonny Street, Port Harcourt Township, by 1:00. A grand finale will hold at the Sharks Football Stadium Port Harcourt on Saturday, 1st October 2022.

  International Federation of women Lawyers, FIDA Rivers State branch is set to release the second edition of the ‘women Know your right’ book which will contain all the laws relevant to women in Rivers State. This was made known by Chairperson of FIDA in the State, Adatha Bio-Briggs during a health walk to kick-off of a three-day event to mark the thirty-five years of FIDA in Rivers State. Speaking on the significance of the walk which took off from the NBA premises Moscow road and culminated at the Abali park for a legal clinic, Mrs. Bio-Briggs said it was rightly tagged ‘Walk for Equity’ to celebrate the newly signed law by the state Government promoting women inheritance in the State. Also speaking on the new law, Rivers State chairperson, Nigerian Association of women Journalists, NAWOJ, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana who collaborated with FIDA on the walk for equity, commended the State Government for the new law but appealed for quick implementation. At the legal clinic, Vice Chairman

  A Port Harcourt based Legal Practitioner has been remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Center on five counts of forgery and making a purported court document. In a charge read out in court, the lawyer is alleged to have on the 18th of July, 2022, did forged a court Order in the name of a Magistrate court of Rivers State sitting in Port Harcourt with intention to be acted upon as genuine. The Lawyer in counts two, three and four is alleged to have on the same date forged a signature and Mark of the Principal Registrar the the Magistrate court with fake name and also forged the seal of Magistrate court of the state. The lawyer is also alleged to have without lawful authority, did made a purported court document with the name of Non-existent Senior Magistrate J.I Amadi which is purported to have been processed by the Principal Registrar, an offence which the court said is punishable under section of criminal code laws of Rivers State. Our correspondent reports that when the charges wa

  The Commissioner for Education Prof Chinedu Mmom  says all Private Schools operating in the State must get approval from the government or risk being closed. The Commissioner who stated this while meeting with private School proprietors at Government Girls Secondary School Oromenike frowned at some private Schools operating in the state without registration and approvals from the Ministry. Prof. Mmom said while the state Government Continue to provide enabling environment for private schools to operate, it is necessary for them to do so within the ambits of the laws of the land by registering with the state government. In his words " all Private schools operating in the state must register with Rivers State government.., Any school that is not accredited is illegal and has to be closed down". The Commissioner further charged those approved  to pay their annual renewal fees to the state government through the provided portal so as to obtain their certificate to avoid embarra

    Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr.  Ipalibo  Banigo has described peace as a necessary tool for Community Development. Dr. Banigo Stated this during a reconciliatory meeting between Egwede Community and Ayama-Agana Community in Andoni Local Government Area at the Government House in Port Harcourt.   Dr. Banigo who is the Chairman, of the Rivers State Boundary disclosed that Governor Nyesom Wike’s commitment to promote peace and development in all parts of the State is not negotiable, said it was important that the communities maintain  peace at all times, saying that there would be no development in an atmosphere of suspicion, bitterness and rancour.   “Your being here is not accidental, you have to carefully understand why God has destined, that you should be here today and fulfil that purpose for which He has brought you out”. Dr. Banigo stressed.   According to the Deputy Governor, “the Committee looked at two major instruments the Court Judgement and the agreement signed by both

  The Rivers State Commissioner for Education Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom  has warned Principals of Public Schools to stop extorting money from parents and students in the name of admission. The commissioner who stated this today at a meeting with Principals of public Schools held at Government Girls Secondary School Oromenike said parents and students were complaining bitterly that some Principals are charging outrageous fees for admission knowing that admission into public schools is free. He called on those involved in such illegal collection to desist from such act as anyone caught will be discipline. He further advised the Principals to gird  their work jealously by avoiding such acts that will attract punishment to them adding that education remains free in Rivers State as admission into public schools also is free. Prof. Mmom also told them that he did not send anyone to schools to harass  Principals or teachers as complained by some Principals saying that anyone who comes to any s

  The orderly room trial of Inspector Salihu Kazeem who allegedly stripped,took  nude videos and raped  a 17 and 18 years old girls in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State after accusing them of stealing his money was stalled today  due to absence of the girls and their witnesses. Our reporter who was at Police headquarters,Moscow road reported that the Police Officer who had been in detention was already prepared  for the orderly room but the girls were absent.  Chairman of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign , Rivers State Chapter Barrister IK Alexander  who has  being following up the matter in an interview with Journalists said the girls were no where to be found . Barrister Alexander told journalists that the alleged victims promised coming to the police headquarters in the morning but were not seen. "They are suppose to be here to substantiate their allegation against the officer so that the orderly room trial will commence" . &quo

  The Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC; has released the final list of candidates contesting for the presidency in the 2023 general elections. This is according to a statement  released by INEC in Abuja. The INEC statement also included the candidates’ state of origin, age, qualifications, and other details, as well as that of running mates. Among those cleared by the electoral umpire are Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the  New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Below is the final list of candidates for the 2023 presidential election as published by INEC: 👇 1. Imumolen Christopher  – Accord Party (AP) 2. Al-Mustapha Hamza – Action Alliance (AA) 3. Sowore Omoyele – African Action Congress (AAC) 4. Kachikwu Dumebi – African Democratic Congress (ADC) 5. Sani Yabagi Yusuf  – Action Democratic Party (ADP) 6. Tinubu Bola Ahmed – All Progressives Con

  Rivers State Police Command says it's attention has been drawn to a protest by some disgruntled elements last week Saturday along UTC junction to Government House, Port Harcourt, who alleged that the Commissioner of Police Eboka Friday did not allow them to extort money from petroleum tankers’ drivers. Public Relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement said the Command would have ignored the protest considering the fact that most people captured on camera on that day were hired urchins.  According to the statement, the need to save Rivers people from being fed with wrong information has necessitated the response. Residents of Port Harcourt and its environs will easily recall that for about a week preceding the day of the protest, PTD-NUPENG embarked on a strike action as a result of which the people of Rivers State suffered untold hardship due to the resultant fuel scarcity.  The Commissioner of Police as a way of expressing his love for residents of the State, convened

  Youths from Ukwa Community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State paid a courtesy call to the chairman of the Council Barrister Erastus Awortu demanding for infrastructural development in the community. The youth Body led by the president Comrade ThankGod George appreciated the Council Boss for restoring peace in the area, presented their demands which includes :Rehabilitation and Expansion of culvert along the major road at the section that links the school road.  provision of Toilet Facilities.  Provision of Bore hole water system. Renovation of school Building and Provision of employment for the youths. In his response, the chairman Barrister Erastus Awortu promised to look into some of the demands before the end of the year.  

  Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo  Banigo has charged Christian Women to develop a daily work with the Lord Jesus Christ by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Banigo gave this charge while speaking during the Young Adults and Youth Affairs Sisters Programme at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate in Port Harcourt. Dr. Banigo said, “Being saved is the first and bringing the flesh under the submission of the Holy Spirit is key to living a fruitful and ever- increasing Christian life and I encourage you to spend the few hours in the morning in His Presence.” According to the Deputy Governor, God wants us to touch His Heart by the art of worship, reverence and adoration, adding that in that place, there is an outpouring of His Spirit. The Deputy Governor disclosed that shortly after her election into the office, she started running the Protect the Girl Child Initiative as a voice for the protection of the Girl Child and of course the Boy

  Ahead of the General election, the International Director, Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Pastor Isaac Olori said the Church will continue to pray for a peaceful election and for good leaders that will have the interest of the people at heart. Pastor Olori who made the assertion known during the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the church at her World Headquarters in Rukpokwu, also identified thanksgiving as one of the ways to attract more blessings from God. He joined dignitaries and members of the Church who gathered to recounted their experiences so far, to celebrate GOD’S impactful blessings on many lives in the Church, these 50   years of existence. According to Pastor Isaac Olori, despite the death of the founding General Overseer of the Church, Apostle Geoffrey Numbere, the vision of the ministry to preached men into the Kingdom of God is still intact. Pastor Olori, while stating that God deserves all the glory for seeing them through all these years, said

    ........Lists Amaechi's Achievements As Governor , Minister   ........Says PDP In Rivers Has Suffered More Defections To APC Than Other Way Round All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state fired back at Governor Wike for labelling his predecessor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi a 'total failure' for perceived inability to attract development to Rivers State in over seven years as minister.  Wike at a public function in Port Harcourt yesterday  fiercely dressed down the Rivers APC leader for expressing disappointment at perceived insensitivity of Governor Wike and his administration to the wellbeing of four times federal minister, Alabo  Graham-Douglas through the protracted illness leading to his death as Wike was also absent at the funeral on Saturday. Responding to the Governor's tirade against Amaechi, Spokesman to Rivers APC, Darlington Nwauju,  said though the party wasn't prepared to drift into toxic communication to get even wit