Rivers
Group Leader Promises To Consolidate On Wike’s Achievements
The National President of Community Reformed Youths Initiatives ( CRYI), Engr Danago Taribo Wenik-Briggs, has promised Rivers people of his plans to consolidate on Governor Nyesom Wike’s programmes and projects, if elected as the State Governor come 2023.
Wenike-Briggs made the promise when he received in audience the executive of Mass Mobilisation for True Democracy ( MMTD), who honoured him with an award of recognition in his office in Port Harcourt recently.
He called on Rivers people not to be jittery over the issue of who will step into Wike’s big shoes, and said that the Messiah was already on ground.
The CRYI boss further told his audience that more industries will be established to absolve more youths into gainful employment which will not only address the challenge of unemployment but that of crime blamed on idleness.
He also told the group to live up to their name and not play any hide and seek game targeted at immediate profits without considering the future.
Meanwhile, the founder and President of the group, Comrade Eferebo Daniel Briggs, has said that their choice of the CRYI boss for the number one political office of the state was born out of their general findings and profiling that placed him top among others.
”We endorsed the gubernatorial ambition of the National President of CRY Initiative, Dcn. Danagogo Taribo Wenike Opurum Briggs in the 2023 general elections, because of his philanthropic and God- fearing nature”, he said.
To support the popular view of the people on the issue of riverine governorship candidate, he pointed out that the Kalabari axis should carry the day.
He also pointed out that Wenike-Briggs has through the CRYI platform, reoriented many young people on why they must not be willing tools in the hands of greedy politicians who only use and dump them after the elections.
“This group has been working judiciously to select the best candidate for the job. Though, we have many candidates from the riverine and other parts of the state, we must choose a good God fearing candidate to pilot the affairs of the state with fear and integrity for the state”, he said.
Another reason he advanced for the visit was to officially endorse their host for the Bricks House race for next year and to assure him of their support, before, during and after the elections.
“We are here to endorse Danagogo Wenike-Briggs and work closely with him. We have our presence cut across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State and five other states of the federation.
In order to ensure this aim is achieved, we call on all Rivers indigenes and non-indigenes to join us in making it come true for the benefit of the state”, he said.
He has also appealed to all eligible voters to hurry and get the voters card, adding that the 2023 general elections need tenacity and audacity to make it work.
Describing Wenike-Briggs as the man with the magic fingers to fix the state, he called on all to queue behind him, if they want a consolidation of what Governor Nysom Wike is doing in the state.
By: King Onunwor
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.