Awajis George News

  Parents have been urged to take up the responsibility of teaching their Children and Wards mother tongue. This was the submission of a Language Advocate, Josiah Egbilika during a Live program #LanguageHealth aired every Wednesday on NigeriaInfo 92.3fm, a renowned Radio Station in Rivers State. Mr  Egbilika stated that the child acquires language by hearing, urging that  language should always be spoken in and around as the child picks the sounds and words from the language as he/she hears those around him/her speak. He stressed  that the parents are the most important actors in teaching the child  language, noting that the parents are the first persons the child by nature relates with. He called on parents to ensure that they do not fail in the responsibility of speaking language often. Speaking further, the Language Advocate lamented how schools see speaking the  indigenous languages as vernacular and even ascribe some sort of disciplinary measure to tho...

  By Martha Igbiks Thursday, 29th December 2022, the  Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Prof Kaniye Ebeku  together with his management and entire staff of the Ministry, sent-forth the retiring Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Miabiye E Kalio  in a well attended annual Prayer/ Thanksgiving Programme. At the occasion, staff members took turn to eulogise Mr Kalio as a selfless, seasoned administrator with a high level of discipline, exceptionally detailed, extremely competent and performance- driven professional. He worked in the Rivers State Ministry of Environment between  1996-2017 and was posted to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources where he covered the duties of a Permanent Secretary and Hon Commissioner between May 2019 and February 2020. In March 2020, Mr Miabye E.Kalio was appointed Permanent Secretary by his Excellency, Nyesom Wike and posted to the Water Resources and Rural Development Ministry.  Speaking durin...

  The House of Representatives has demanded justice for a Lagos-based female lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, who was shot and killed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, an officer attached to the Ajah Divisional Headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command. At the plenary today, members of the House observed one-minute silence in honour of Raheem, and Gafaru Braimoh who was the second person to have been killed by policemen in the same area within one month. The lawmakers demanded, “an immediate investigation be carried out to get justice for the two victims,” while they resolved that “police officers should be banned from consuming alcohol and other hard substances that are capable of inhibiting their sense of reasoning and capability to carry out their duties judiciously.” The House also declared that there should be a zero-tolerance policy to misconduct or misbehaviour in the Nigeria Police. These resolutions were based on a motion of urgent public importance mo...

Nine Year Old Beaten To Death By Her Guardian  Nine Year Old Beaten To Death By Her Guardian    A 9 year old girl, Precious Korshima has been beaten to death by the woman she lived with at Fidelity Estate Enugu. The suspect, Mrs. Ujunwa Ugwoke  confessed to the crime saying  that after killing, she dumped her corpse in the bush along Port Harcourt expressway immediately after the military checkpoint at University Of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku Ozala, Enugu State.  The traditional  ruler allegedly ordered the decomposing body of the girl be  burnt because of the offensive smell from the body without informing the security agents. Mr. Korshima the father of the child asked for the release of the remains of his dead child to him so that he can give the child a decent burial and also demands for justice in the case. #CoalCityConnect

  The mother of late Omobolanle Raheem, the lawyer who was shot dead by Drambi Vandi, a policeman attached to the Ajiwe Police Station,  Ajah, Lagos State, said the victim was pregnant with twins. The bereaved woman, who spoke  during a condolence visit to the family by the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said, "I cannot see my ‘The Law again. People usually call her ‘The Law’. She was taken away from me. She was pregnant with twins". “She died with her glory. She left a five-year-old daughter behind.  And they took her away. “On Monday, my granddaughter came to me and said ‘Grandma Iju Ishaga, I saw you yesterday when you were crying; you were shouting; is it because of my mummy?’ And I said ‘yes’. “Then she came again and told me, ‘Pastor Jerry said what God cannot do does not exist; so, grandma, stop crying’. And she kissed me on the cheek. “It is not easy. A child that I have been training since childhood. I suffered over her. I hawked oranges; ...

  In the spirit of celebrating Christmas president Obolo Youth Coalition Comrade Ijonama Amon has called on all  Youths from the Obolo extraction to maintain peace during and after the yuletide season. Comrade Amon who spoke with our Correspondent in PortHarcourt enjoined youths particularly in Andoni, to strive to sustain the existing peace that was collectively achieved by all .  The Youth president charge youths  to create a peaceful atmosphere for government to develop the area. "We must protect any projects in our communities and support the LGA Chairman in maintaining the existing peace to attract private and foreign investors to initiate businesses in our domain for development to spread across our LGA". Comrade Amon said Christmas is a time to  reflect on the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem, who choose to offer Himself as a sacrificial lamb to redeem mankind from the bondage of sins. "It is my wish that we the Obolo Youths ...

    High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned hearing on the suit brought against member representing Degema-Bonny Federal Constituency Dr. Farah  Dagogo on two count charges of conspiracy and cultism by the Rivers state government. Trial Judge, Justice Chinwendu  Nworgu who had earlier granted bail to Dr.Dagago, adjourned to 17th of February 2023 for further hearing.  when the matter was mentioned in court, prosecution Counsel informed the court that the witness was absent .  Defendant Counsel Cosmos  Eenweluzo who spoke with our Correspondent outside the court room explained what transpired in court. Mr. Eenweluzo who stated that the case was a criminal matter and has nothing to do with election,wondered why  his client who was not anywhere close to the venue of the PDP primary election for National Assembly Candidates was arrested and charged to court . The counsel revealed that he will defend his client to ensure justice is served in t...

  A Degema High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced to death two suspects Godwin Udoh and Wisdom Udoh for the murder of one miss Oluchi Okorie, a staff of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM.Abakaliki. The judge ,Justice Okogbule Gbasam,   in his judgement sentenced the two defendants to death by hanging. Justice Gbasam who based his judgement on the confessional statement made by the defendants to the police ,said from the evidence presented to the court it was clear that the defendants were the last persons with the deceased before the sad incident. The two defendants who are natives of Akwa  Ibom State were said to have picked late Miss Okorie along East West road on the 10th of April 2015 on her way from Abakiliki in Ebonyi state  to visit her sister in PortHarcourt. The 1st defendant Godwin Udoh was said to have pushed out Miss Okorie from a moving vehicle along Tai local government area of Rivers State that led to her death. Speaking to our Corr...

  Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced  Dr Doyin Okupe to two years imprisonment for receiving over two hundred million naira cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki   Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu while delivering judgement today held that the action of Mr. Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), violated the Money Laundering Act. He was found guilty on counts 34 to 59 of the charges. The court sentenced Mr.Okupe, who is the Director-General of the Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, to two years imprisonment on count 34 with an option of a fine of N500,000. The court also sentenced him to two years imprisonment on counts 35 to 59 with an option fine of N500,000.  The option of fine is to run consecutively on each count while the sentence is to run concurrently. The sentence to run from the day of delivering the judgment. The court noted that it refrains from making...

Acquisition of Technical skills has been identified as a gateway to fight joblessness and poverty in Nigeria.  This was the position of speakers at the graduation ceremony of more than One hundred students at the Wealveth Hub in Port Harcourt. General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry ,Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere who is also the sponsor of the program ,described his effort as replicating the love which God has for his children . Apostle Chinyere said he focused more on the Youths considering the role they play in the society. He called on Government Agencies to enact policies that would promote the acquisition of technical skills that will  engage youths and reduce the number of jobless youths in Nigeria On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Wealveth Hub, Loveth Ogedebe stated that most youths who are roaming the street, have the willingness but do not have access to finance and technical support to learn the requisite skills that would make them self-reliant. Also speaking,...

  Good evening esteem members of NMA Rivers State, its with great joy we announce the release of our dear colleague Dr. Bagshaw Stephen this evening from his captors, he is alive and well. We thank everyone who was involved in securing his release, from the family friends who raised alarm, to security agents who followed leads to the indefatigable NMA chairman who followed through all ground works, all Glory to God. Dr. Hope Avundaa Secretary, NMA RS 17.12.2022

  The Women Rights and Empowerment Initiative, WORI says the documentations of diverse best practices to create wealth from waste as well as use of renewable energy to adapt and mitigate the challenges of climate change are achievable when people are armed with the necessary tools. Executive Director of WORI, Dr Cynthia Onwuka who stated this during a workshop on ‘Dissemination  Of Resource Materials On Waste To Wealth Value Chain And Renewable Energy Practices’ in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state said the workshop will strengthen and broaden the involvement and participation of beneficiaries and also strengthen the relationships between the project partners to achieve the expected results. The project funded by the European Union under the EU-ACT program, has several components which include; Stakeholders Consultation, Town Hall Meetings among others.  WORI, which is a member of Climate Action Consortium, has been part of the ongoing implementation of a proj...

  Three suspected cultists were killed in exchange of gunfire in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area in the wee hours of yesterday.   A community source who did not want to be mentioned told our Correspondent that members of a particular cult group had invaded the community at about 2am in the morning in search of their unit leader  James Bright aka Borokiri who was said to have converted the arms and ammunition of the group to his personal use.     According to reports, unit leader  of the group was said to have engaged the invading faction in a gun battle which resulted to the death of two of the invaders .   Sp okesperson  Rivers State Police command Grace Iringe-Koko who confirmed the incident said the Police on getting the information trailed James Bright to his hideout and on sighting the Police he opened fire and exchange of gunfire ensued which led to his death.   SP Iringe-Koko further explained that ...

  The All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Rivers State have reacted to appeal court judgment that have restated all the candidates of the party ahead of 2023 general elections. The spokesman of APC Campaign Council, Sogbeye Eli who addressed Newsmen immediately after the court judgment said the appeal court judgment has proven their earlier stand that Federal High Court did not have jurisdiction over the suit.  Mr. Eli while listing the number of legal actions against APC and the candidates that have slowed their activities, expressed joy that the decision of appeal court has removed every impediment against APC, saying that Rivers people will now have opportunity to choose their leaders in 2023 general elections. Reacting to the issue of payment for approval before using government owned properties for campaign and use of residential area for campaign office, Mr. Eli said they are already in court challenging those orders and expressed optimism that the orders will ...

  An Appeal court sitting in Port Harcourt has set aside the judgment of Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Emmanuel  Obile which nullified all candidates of the APC. Three man panel of the Appeal in their judgment delivered by the led Judge, Justice Muhammed Lawal-Shuaibu said George Orlu and five others did not exhaust internal party mechanism before instituting the suit. The court also held that the respondent did not participate in the congress of the APC and did not have any cause for the action, just as they described as Inconceivable for the Federal High Court Judge not to have joined the candidates of APC who are interested parties in the suit. Justice Lawal-Shuaibu said the nomination of delegates and political parties is issues of internal party affairs and that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place and thereby set aside the judgment. The judge awarded the sum of five hundred thousand nai...

  Report says a senior Medical Doctor working with University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital ( UPTH) Dr. Bagshaw Steven has been kidnapped. Dr. Steven, a Senior Registrar with Rivers State Government in Plastic surgery Department undergoing Posting in UPTH was said to be kidnapped at the gate of his residence, close to GTB Rumuokoro on his way back from work on Saturday Night, 11th December  by 9.45p.m.  Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association,(NMA) Rivers State branch Dr. Hope Owhondaa Avundaa said the association has reached out to security agents, State Director DSS, Rivers State Commissioner of Police and ACP Operations on the matter. Dr. Avundaa also said NMA is  laising and supporting the wife of the victim as she interfaces with the kidnapers as family has been contacted. He added that NMA Rivers State is preparing to implement antikidnap PROTOCOL  of Shutting down all facilities in the State.   Encouraging members to be safety, conscious an...

  The Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out the suit filed by APC  Governorship Aspirant Ojukaye Flag-Amachree against the Judgement of Federal High Court in a matter between George Orlu and others against INEC and APC . The lead judge , Justice O.A Adegbehingbe ruled that the appeal is lacking in merit and dismissed the suit. But the court held that the relief sort by Mr. Flag-Amachree will not be granted having lost from the party primary and never protested against it which also was not in the judgement of the Federal High court. Speaking to Journalists outside the courtroom, Counsel representing George Orlu and others Mr. Biobele Georgewill explained what transpired in court. Our Correspondent reports that Mr.Flag-Amachree is seeking the Appeal court to comply the party to conduct a fresh primary and Congress.

  Gunmen suspected to be Kidnappers last night at about 8pm abducted a woman at road 10 junction,Akwaka phase 2,Rumuodomaya,Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A shop owner who did not want her name mentioned told our Correspondent that the gunmen intercepted the woman  brought her out of her vehicle as they shot sporadically while residents and other passersby scampered for safety. She said the woman's vehicle which was abandoned by the gunmen has been removed as at the time she came to work this morning.The eyewitness could not ascertain if it was the Police that removed the victim's vehicle. The suspected Kidnapped comes  less than few days after  the Commissioner of Police, in Rivers State,CP Effiong Okon gave ten days grace to Criminal elements to submit their guns.  The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko promised to get back to our Correspondent when contacted but was yet to do so as at press time.

  The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has concluded plans to organise a governorship debate for five top governorship candidates in the State. Secretary, NUJ, Rivers State Council Mr. Ike Wigodo in a statement said the Debate will afford the selected governorship candidates the opportunity to sell their manifestos and answer questions bothering on security, economy, employment, education and other issues that directly affect the Rivers people. According to the statement,the governorship debate will be broadcast live in both radio and television stations.  The statement indicates that the five top governorship candidates to participate in the debate would be selected by the public through an electronic voting to be conducted by the NUJ Technical Committee. The Technical Committee, according to the statement, will soon roll out the modalities for the selection process. NUJ, therefore, urges the public and supporters of various political parties to vote ...

  RIVERS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Rivers State Ministry of Education hereby invites all Candidates of Rivers Origin offered provisional admission into  PAMO University of Medical Sciences  for the 2022/2023 academic session to come for screening and verification. Candidates are required to come along with their Admission Letter, local Government Identification letter, Birth Certificate,  Letter from their Ward Councillors and other relevant documents. Date: Monday 12th December, 2022 Venue: Conference Room of Ministry of Education, Podium Block, 7th Floor, State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt. Time: 12noon. Signed Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom JP Commissioner for Education. 9/12/2022

  .... Pledges continuous synergy with Federal Fire Service. Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Ndubuisi Okere, has expressed displeasure over the attack on firefighters and the vandalisation of their equipment by certain elements in the state, warning that henceforth such evil will not be condoned and perpetrators will be made to face the law. Hon. Okere who made gave the warning in his office while playing host to the commandant of Federal Fire Services in the state, said the government will not fold its arms to see enemies of the state take laws into their hands. The Special Duties Commissioner said that firefighting is an overwhelming assignment, and that though the state fire service is combat ready at all times to fight fire in the state, the government still cherish the robust support and synergy from the Federal firefighters, saying that in a cosmopolitan city like Port Harcourt, only one fire unit may not be adequate to handle the incidences that may arise....

  Federal High Court sitting in PortHarcourt has dismissed a suit seeking to stop Assembly Candidates of Accord in Rivers State from participating in the 2023 general election.  Presiding judge,Justice Ayuwah Phoebe while delivering the judgement stated that the suit was a pre-election matter that was filed outside the speculated fourteen days as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Justice Phoebe noted that the plaffiti does not have the locust standi to challenge the conduct of the defendant,as he was not an Aspirant or a member of the party. The judge also said that the plaffiti failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and thereby strike out the suit. Our Correspondent reports that the peoples Democratic party in Rivers State had earlier dragged Accord and it's Assembly Candidates to court over non compliance with new electoral act. Speaking to Newsmen outside the court room, counsel to Accord Mr. Basheed Awa said the judgement gives...

  Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out suit by the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State seeking to stop All Progressives Congress National Assembly candidates from contesting the 2023 general elections. The PDP had filed a suit asking the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission to delist APC from the ballot with the claims that the Congresses and primary that brought in the National Assembly candidates did not comply with the new electoral act. Presiding judge, Justice Turaki  Mohammed in his judgment strike out the PDP suit against APC for lack of jurisdiction and doctrine of stare decides which insisted that lower court can not have anything to do on a matter that the appellate court had taken decision on. Addressing Newsmen outside the court sitting, one of the Counsels to APC, Emenike Ebete  said judgment has given APC National Assembly candidates the power to contest freely in the 2023 general elections without any...

  Report says property Worth Millions Of Naira have been destroyed by fire at Wimpey -Eliopranwo link road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. According to some eyewitnesses, the fire started as a result of electrical surge from one of the rooms in the compound . However one of the victims of the fire incident,Mr. Meshack Chukwu said he was at his place of work when he got a call of the fire but before he could get home all his belongings have been burnt by fire except a rosary.  Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties Mr. Ndubusi Okere who visited the scene of the fire incident reiterated the need for residents in the State to be cautionary and extra careful in their use of electrical appliances both at home and offices by ensuring that all electrical gadgets are always put off before they leave their home or offices to forestall any form of fire outbreak.  Mr. Okere thanked God that there was no life lost in the incident.  The Special Duties C...

  Four suspected Kidnappers among which are aka 'Lover Boy' and '2flexy' suspected to be members of Deygbam and Sailors cult members and two other members of the  criminal gang, a vigilante personnel were reportedly gunned down in an exchange of fire in PortHarcourt on Sunday . We gathered that security operatives  including Octopus Strike Force Police acting on credible intelligence trailed the suspected kidnappers who are believed to be on the wanted list of security agencies and double crossed them at the front of a new generation church along Abacha road,GRA phase 2, PortHarcourt.. An eyewitness who simply identified himself as Francis told our Correspondent that the hoodlums on sighting the security operatives opened fire on them and the security personnel responded and in exchange of gun battle two of the suspects were fatally wounded. The incident, we learnt caused heavy traffic gridlock in the area as commuters and  motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran ...

  Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out suit by the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the eligibility of Accord, it's Governorship Candidate and running mate to contest the 2023 general elections in Rivers State for lack of jurisdiction. Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam in a separate suit also strike out PDP suit against all the National Assembly candidates of Accord for lack of jurisdiction. Justice Daylop-Pam in his judgment did not bother to go into the merit of the matter but based his judgment on the recent decision of Appeal court in Lagos and Rivers State which revealed that no court has jurisdiction to hear any case file by another political party bothering on internal party affairs. The judge insisted that any attempt by him to interfere in the matter after appellate court had taken decision on the similar matter will amount to rascality and thereby upheld the objections of the Counsels to the defendants and struck out the suits by PDP. S...

  Five Suspects who raped 11Year old Orphaned girl in Buguma headquarters of Asari Toru Local government Area of Rivers State have been arraigned in court by the Rivers State Police Command. The suspects 23 year old Ebi Danagogo Jack, 22 year old Fubara George, 20 year old Precious Omubo Wokoma, 53 years Dennis Amaye Lugard and 32 year old Alalibo Harry were arraigned in a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt. The suspects who includes the victim's step father, her school class teacher, a  pastor of Winners Chapel Buguma and two area boys were said to have at different times, sexually abused the minor from the age of 6 . Chief Magistrate Menenen Poromon after listening to Counsels in the matter, directed for an amendment of the charge and adjourned the case to 6th December, 2022, for the suspects to take their plea and for bail consideration. In an interview with our correspondent, Spokesperson FIDA Rivers State, Sophia Afoloyan, said the suspects must be brought to book ...

  The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State in reacting to the passage of the Appropriate Bill 2023 by the Rivers State House of Assembly as ridiculously hasty. According to APC Spokesperson in the state Mr.Darlington Nwauju ,the Appropriation Act 2023, is a document that lacks the fundamental ingredient of collective decision making and cannot be said to be a people's budget.  Mr. Nwauju noted that ideally, a budget should be democratic, fair, accountable, transparent and strategic, querying the procedure for nomination of projects captured in the budget.  "When were the people of Rivers State invited for public hearings by the State Assembly or town hall meetings to highlight sectorial priority?  How were the people from the 23 local government areas carried along in the decision of what should come to them and what is the budget performance of the 2022 budget? This is the reason why we continue to say that something as important as the Budget of a state should...