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Suspected thugs attack protesters, journalists in Asaba
Suspected thugs, yesterday, attacked some residents of Asaba, taking part in the peaceful nationwide hunger protest and four journalists covering the street march by the protesters.
The journalists, who were manhandled by the thugs, included Mathew Ochei of the Punch, Monday Osayande of the Guardian, the Pointer reporter, Lucy, and an Asaba-based investigative journalist, Amour Udemude.
The protesters accused the State Government of hiring the thugs “to disrupt the protest”.
The Tide source reports that the protest, which started around 10 am, was initially peaceful.
It later turned violent when the thugs arrived at about 11:20 and started attacking and dispersing the protesters, while the security operatives deployed to ensure that the action was not hijacked by hoodlums allegedly watched.
Narrating his experience, the Punch reporter said that the thugs hit him in the neck.
“They smashed our phones on the ground after they insisted that we must delete the photos and records before they would leave us.
“The policemen on ground folded their hands and watched as we were violently attacked by the thugs.
“It took the intervention of soldiers, who arrived at the scene, to rescue us.
“This was after the Pointer Newspaper reporter, Lucy, who was also attacked by the thugs, rushed to the soldiers for help,” Ochei said.
It was further learnt that after the attack, the policemen opened teargas to disperse the protesters around 12:20 pm at the Inter Bua Roundabout on the Okpanam Road.
The Tide source further reports that the protest, which started with two young men carrying placards, later drew no fewer than 50 other protesters carrying placards with the inscription, #EndBadGovernance#, hardship everywhere, hunger in the land”, among others.
One of the protesters, Gibson Umunna, told The Tide source that he was compelled to join the protest due to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
“I am here to join the protest because I am a victim of the harsh economic reality facing the citizens.
“Citizens are living in despair, no food, no security, no job, and to worsen it all, petrol price skyrocketed in a nation of abundant resources,” Umunna said.
In a reaction, the Delta Government denied the allegation that it sponsored the thugs that attacked the protesters and journalists covering the action.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, told newsmen that “there is no iota of truth that the thugs were sponsored by the State Government”.
Osuoza said that the administration of Gov. Sherrif Oborevwori had nothing against the protest and never made any plan nor arrangement to stop it.
“We are very sorry for this unfortunate incident.
“The State Government has no hand in the attack and no one sent the attackers.
“As a government, we want to express our heartfelt condolences over this attack on journalists.
“Also, the PDP did not send anybody to disrupt the protest, because I called the PDP chairman and he confirmed there was no such plan to stop the protest by the party.
“Even the state governor himself is never a violent man.
“The government has no business in disrupting the protest because by law, the citizens have a right to protest.
“Our only concern and prayer is that the protest should not be hijacked and turned violent. We are sorry for the whole incident.
Also, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Festus Ahon, expressed dismay over the media reports linking the State Government with the attack on journalists.
“Let me put the record straight, the attackers were not sponsored by the State Government nor the state PDP.
“They went there on their own, may be out of over zealousness.
“The State Government has no hand in what happened and we condemn the attack in its entirety,” Ahon said.
When contacted, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of the incident because he was not at the scene.
“I cannot say what actually happened during the protest because I was not there,” Edafe said.
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight that Rivers children are well behaved, and has admonished them to remain supportive of their parents while striving always to make a difference wherever they find themselves.
Lady Fubara gave the counsel at the 2024 Christmas Children Party, attended by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, including non-indigenes, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Christmas Children Party also witnessed the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who stopped over to share moments with them, walking from one canopy to another, waving at them, and at other times, shaking hands with them to leave lasting memories on them.
The Rivers First Lady pointed to the importance of the celebration of Christmas, which draws attention to the birth of Jesus Christ, demanding that people have a deep reflection of the love that is demonstrated and mission of the birth, which is to redeem mankind.
Lady Fubara recalled how she took out time to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where she appreciated God for safe delivery of children born on Christmas day while felicitating with the nursing mothers.
She also stated the valuable time spent with motherless babies when she visited the Port Harcourt Children’s Home in Borikiri, old Port Harcourt Township, and celebrated their meekness, innocence and the beauty they bring to the world.
She said, “Even today, as we continue the celebration, efforts were made to extend invitation to our children in all the 23 local government areas of our State. In doing this, children from all classes of society, including the physically challenged, have been offered the opportunity to sit together as brothers and sisters, play, eat and dance.
“Whilst contemplating the uniqueness of celebrating Christmas on a Boxing Day, steps were equally taken to provide gifts for the children who are there, and also to pray for them, a qualitative fun session that will last in their memories.”
Lady Fubara advised all children in the State to remember that Jesus came into the world to make a difference, advising that they must emulate him so that they can positively impact their families and society.
She urged them to pray fervently to God to bless and prosper their mothers, daddies, aunties and uncles to better cater to their needs.
She added, “Be humble, obedient and supportive at home. Do household chores, and don’t forget to make excellent grades in school next academic session. Children are the joy of every home, and we are glad to have beautiful, well-behaved children in Rivers State.
“Thank you all for witnessing this 2024 Children’s Party, and I pray God Almighty to protect, shield and keep you safe from all negative companies in the name of Jesus. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025. God bless you all,” she said.
Lady Fubara expressed appreciation to her husband and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his absolute commitment to the growth of children, and the immeasurable support that ensured that Christmas Children Party was a success.
There were performances by Virtue Dancers, Kalabari Iria dancers, Wonder Time Children of Opobo Kingdom, Children of Rivers State Council of Arts and Culture, Diseye the Poet and DJ Arnold.