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Niger Delta

Monarch Hails Fubara Over Traditional Rulers Council Chairman’s Appointment, Projects Delivery

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The Nne-Nwe Eli Emohua and President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze(Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, has poured encomiums on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for the recent appointment of the Paramount Ruler and Eze Oha of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers by the Governor, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction and a welcomed development.
Eze Onuekwa, who gave the indication while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the appointment of the Obio/Akpor monarch was well-deserved, going by his sterling leadership qualities.
He said the appointment is not only a stabilising force but a healing process for the traditional institution in the State, that would steer it away from unnecessary parochialism, redundancy and controversies, to a direction of unifying and harmonising traditional rulers in the State, as dependable and reliable partners and allies of government in the development of the State.
While further commending Governor Fubara for his timely intervention in rescuing the traditional rulers council from drifting to the abyss of despair and hopelessness, Eze Onuekwa said the Governor has by such an appointment given the traditional rulers a new sense of purpose and direction, and therefore, enjoined the new council chairman to justify the confidence reposed in him by not only carrying along all members of the council but also taking the traditional institution to glorious and enviable heights.
He said the removal of Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse as chairman of the traditional rulers council is particularly instructive, and appealed to traditional rulers in the State to remain apolitical and abstain completely from politics so as to win back the respect they used to have back in the days before they became political appendages to government, as they are seen today.
Eze Onuekwa, who described the removal of Ohna Awuse as the chairman of the council as good riddance to bad rubbish, noted that the appointment and elevation of the Emohua monarch in the first place were mired in dire controversies and disputations, stressing that all the chieftaincy positions the former chairman had occupied were only got through political patronage from the benevolence of Chief Nyesom Wike, who was his protege while growing up.
“The truth remains that Ohna Chief Sergeant Awuse was undemocratically foisted on the council without consideration to due process, and for this, some members had abstained from the council since the day he was pronounced till date,” he said, and described the new chairman of the council as a competent, cerebral and mature jolly good fellow, who he said is capable of rewriting the ugly chapters of the council for good.
He said he was duly elected the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua by the Mgboh Royal Ruling House on January 29, 2022 while his installation to occupy the stool and throne of his father and forefathers was allegedly truncated by a former Governor of the State.
On the strength of this, the chartered insurer and legal luminary described himself as a traditional ruler of repute, and appealed to Governor Fubara to help him reclaim his stolen stool.
Eze Onuekwa also applauded Governor Fubara for his peaceful disposition and the monumental achievements recorded by his administration in the past one year, especially in the execution and delivery of people-oriented projects.
He also used the opportunity to tell the world that there is peace in Rivers State, contrary to the pictures being painted by certain persons in the State who are calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the State.
While denouncing the purveyors of such ugly narrative, the monarch said the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the State has continued to encourage businesses and investments to thrive and flourish, describing the calls for a state of emergency as self-serving and mischievous.

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Niger Delta

Police Rescue Kidnapped Ex-Shell Worker In A’Ibom

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The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.
John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.
She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.
According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.
“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.
The police spokesperson said the  Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.
”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.
John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.
“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.
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Niger Delta

Delta C’ttee Takes Drug Abuse Sensitisation To Streets

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As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.
Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.
Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.
Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.
Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.
She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.
According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.
“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.
Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.
Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.
He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the  committee to record some breakthroughs.
On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.
Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.
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Niger Delta

A’Ibom Urges Farmers To Adopt Good Agronomic Practices

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Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.
Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.
She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.
The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.
“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.
“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.
“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.
The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge
In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.
He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.
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