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Tag: Rivers

  • NLC Announces Two-Day Warning Strike in Protest Against Fuel Subsidy Removal Consequences

    NLC Announces Two-Day Warning Strike in Protest Against Fuel Subsidy Removal Consequences

    By Daniel Edu

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has officially declared a two-day warning strike set to commence on Tuesday, September 5, to express their dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s handling of the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidies.

    During a press conference held at the Labour House in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the strike on Friday. This decision came following discussions and resolutions reached by the NLC National Executive Committee (NEC) during their previous meeting.

    The labor union has accused the Federal Government of neglecting ongoing negotiations and failing to implement resolutions from prior engagements with the government.

    On August 2, organized labor staged a protest against what they perceived as anti-people policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), along with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliated unions, organized demonstrations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and various states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

    These protests followed a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, demanding the “immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies, including the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the rise in public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salaries for university lecturers and workers.”

    The union also called for an upward adjustment of the minimum wage, from N30,000 to N200,000, citing the impact of the removal of the fuel subsidy on the well-being of Nigerians, as stated in the President’s May 29, 2023, inauguration speech, where he mentioned the end of subsidies.

    Despite multiple discussions between the Presidency and the unions regarding measures to alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians following the removal of petrol subsidies, no concrete solutions have emerged.

  • Rivers: Rival cult clash claims 5 persons

    Rivers: Rival cult clash claims 5 persons

    No fewer than five persons reportedly lost their lives in what looked like a rival cult clash in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The clash happened between two rival cult groups, the Icelanders and Greenlanders.

    The source said the two cult gangs in a fight for supremacy in the early hours of Sunday engaged themselves in a free for all with dangerous weapons resulting in the death of five persons.

    “Two cult gangs the Icelanders and Greenlanders in the early hours of Sunday clashed. They were two rival cult gangs and in a free for all fight for supremacy engaged themselves with dangerous weapons. Five persons reportedly lost their lives,” the source stated.

    The Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko confirmed the story.

    SP Koko said five persons lost their lives in the incident.

    The police spokesperson said the tactical unit of the state Police Command had been deployed in the area to restore normalcy.

  • Seven PDP BoT Members Meet With Wike In Rivers

    Seven PDP BoT Members Meet With Wike In Rivers

    Seven members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party are currently in a meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

    The BoT members arrived the Government House in Port Harcourt, venue of the meeting on Tuesday morning.

    They are Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara; Ibrahim Idris, Shuaib Oyedokun, Zainab Maina, Esther Uduehi, Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Tanimu Turaki.

    The visiting BoT members are joined for the meeting by some BoT members who are from Rivers State and other state leaders of the party.

    The Rivers contingent for the meeting are the State Chairman of the PDP, Desmond Akawor; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; BoT member and chairman of the Rivers PDP Elders Council, Ferdinand Anabraba; former Chief Whip of the Senate, Adawari Pepple; Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Emeka Woke; elder statesmen, Sam-Sam Jaja and Emma Anyanwu.

    Before the meeting began, Wike requested the BoT members allow journalists cover the session to avoid a distortion of facts.

    Wike argued that his discussions and outcome of his meetings with PDP stakeholders since the crisis began have always been distorted and misinterpreted.

    He, however, succumbed to the opinion of the Wabara who pleaded that the meeting be held privately and journalists be briefed afterwards.

    Wike and his allies had on September 20 announced their withdrawal from the presidential campaign council of Atiku Abubakar.

    They were also absent from the inauguration of Atiku’s campaign council on September 28, 2022 as they argued that northerners should not occupy the two top positions of the party.

    Others in Wike’s camp include former Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Donald Duke of Cross River, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and Jonah Jang of Plateau.

    Others are elder statesmen, Olabode George, Jerry Gana; South-South Chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; Senator Suleiman Nazif, Nnenna Ukeje.

  • I’m in Charge of Rivers, Not Electoral Votes – Wike Clarifies

    I’m in Charge of Rivers, Not Electoral Votes – Wike Clarifies

    Governor Nyesom Wike has clarified his statement that alleged he claimed to be in charge of Rivers votes. According to him, he never claimed to be in charge of electoral votes but the administration of Rivers. Wike, reacting to comments after he made the statement on Monday, said some politicians in Rivers misconceived his assertion.

    The governor made the observation yesterday at the inauguration of the dualised Ogbunuabali-Eastern Bypass Road performed by the ex-governor of Sokoto, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

    “Because some people went to school late, they don’t understand when somebody says I am in charge of this state. I never said I am in charge of votes in this state. But I know I can talk to my people, and my people will listen to me,” said Wike. “Some people say, I have only one vote, I agree. I can’t vote two times. I will only vote once. But because of the services I have rendered to the people of this state, the state will listen to me.

    The governor added that he had remained a consistent politician, not playing a double game.

    Wike also decried the dearth of effective political leadership in Nigeria.

    “Leadership is not about party. Leadership is about individuals. Party is only a vehicle to actualise your ambition, to be able to tell your people I have this capacity, I have this quality to render services to you. If you take me away today from PDP to another party, I will still perform. So, it is not because I’m in PDP that I’m performing,” explained Wike.

    The Rivers governor thanked the people of Ogbunuabali for their cooperation while the project lasted, even if they had initially rejected it.

    He lifted the ban on youth activities in the Ogbunuabali community and announced the release of N2 billion he promised the community.

    Inaugurating the Ogbunuabali-Eastern Bypass Road, Wamakko stressed Wike’s leadership capacity and commitment to the masses.

    Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George-Kelly, said the Ogbunuabali-Eastern Bypass Road was a single carriageway of 7.3m-wide but rebuilt.

    George-Kelly said the 2.19km long road was dualised, has a width of 4.38km on each side of the lane, 650m median on the Ogbunuabali axis, and 1.5m median on the Eastern bypass axis and 4.38km of drainage length.

  • Gov. Wike Approves Payment of Gratuities, Death benefits to Retired Civil servants

    Gov. Wike Approves Payment of Gratuities, Death benefits to Retired Civil servants

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate commencement of the payment of outstanding gratuity to pensioners in the state.

    The governor also approved the payment of monthly pension arrears as well as death benefits for Retirees from the public service.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the Rivers State Pension Board, I. E.O Samuel, on Tuesday.

    The statement explained that the payment will be done in batches and will commence with those who had retired up to June 2014.

    The statement also called on affected retirees and the next of Kins of the deceased to proceed to the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall for physical verification from Wednesday.

    They are expected to go along with their ID cards and other relevant documents.

    The statement however clarified that the exercise is strictly for those who had retired up to June 2014.

  • Gunmen kill two Farmers in Rivers

    Gunmen kill two Farmers in Rivers

    Gunmen who are suspected to be Cultist shot two Persons dead, on their way coming back from the farm.

    The incident happened on Friday in Obelle community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The Source, former Chairman of Community Development Committee in Obelle, Chief Israel Anele stated that the incident took place on a farm road.

    Following the incident, it has resulted causing panic and unrest in the community as natives are fleeing for safety to other areas; the former CDC said security operatives were searching for the Culprits.

  • Ramat Cup: Nasarawa, Rivers Disappoint As Kaduna, Ogun Qualify For Quarter- Final

    Ramat Cup: Nasarawa, Rivers Disappoint As Kaduna, Ogun Qualify For Quarter- Final

    By Mike Oboh

    It was a tale of the unexpected on Wednesday as some players wept uncontrollably following their misfortune of not making it to the quarter-finals of the 39th edition of the Ramat Cup U-16 boys tournament holding in the ancient city of Kano

    With the die hard and winner-takes-all attitude of the teams, it was obvious that every team had their destiny in their hands

    The Kaduna U-16 team continued their high scoring performance at the Mahaha Sports complex beating Adamawa State 10-1, the highest scoreline ever recorded in the history of the competition

    Nasarawa U-16 team were most disappointing.
    despite full government backing, they could not go beyond the group Stage.They drew goalless with Rivers State, 2-2 with Zamfara,then lost 2-1 to Kano

    For the Defending Champions Kwara State, it was a mixed bag of experience.They started on a promising note by defeating Ekiti 3-0, Bauchi 3-0 then drew 1-1 with FCT and goalless with Yobe.
    Although they still qualified, but their fans were somewhat unhappy because they expected more from them

    Ogun state is the only southern team still in race after Ekiti,Abia and Rivers were unable to scale through. Ogun defeated Katsina 2-0, Plateau 3-0 and Benue 2-1.

    With 9 points, the Dapo Abiodun babes are looking forward to better outing against Kaduna in their Quarter-finals game on Thursday

    In other quarter-final matches, Kebbi will face FCT, while Kwara confront Kano and Gombe to settle Scores with Jigawa

    All the matches will take place at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Sabon Gari on Thursday

    As the competition gets tougher and more challenging, the National President of YSFON and Deputy Governor of Kano State Dr Nasiru Gawuna has advised the participating teams to be patriotic and continue to work hard, so they can bring honour to their fatherland

  • Rivers vigilante arrested for allegedly killing NAF officer

    Rivers vigilante arrested for allegedly killing NAF officer

    An officer of the Nigerian Air Force was allegedly shot and killed by a member of the OSPAC vigilante group during an argument in the Omuanwa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    According to our correspondent, the police said the vigilante member, Progress Amecheta, suspected to have killed the Air Force man identified as Eugene Ikasike, had been arrested and investigation had commenced to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.

    A source privy to punch in the community said trouble started on Monday when members of the vigilante group were harassing some youths suspected to be cultists and forcing them to renounce cultism by taking a traditional oath.

    It was gathered that the situation escalated on Tuesday as a NAF man’s brother was apprehended, beaten and kept in OSPAC cell, but Eugene, accompanied by his colleagues, went to the vigilantes’ office to find out what offence his brother committed.

    But he was allegedly rebuffed and pushed back by the vigilantes, who said they did not recognise any Federal Government operative.

    An argument later ensued at a different location and the NAF man allegedly mobilised his friend, Eugene, and went to the residence of the OSPAC member, who pushed him, and Amecheta reached for his gun and was said to have shot the NAF man dead.

    The incident caused confusion in the community as some youths apprehended the trigger-happy vigilante member on Wednesday and handed him over to the police.

    A source said, “The OSPAC men were forcing people, especially youths, and dragging them to come for oath-taking to denounce cultism.

    “They went to the home of an Air Force man, who came for the Yuletide holiday, and started beating his brother to renounce cultism. When the officer asked what the problem was, the vigilantes smashed his phone and took his brother to their cell.

    “So, the Air Force man contacted one of his colleagues and both of them stormed the OSPAC office, but they were pushed out of the gate by the OSPAC men, who said they did not recognise any government person.

    “The OSPAC men resumed the following day (Tuesday) and encountered the Air Force officer, Eugene Ikasike, who accompanied his colleague, and an argument ensued over the previous incident.

    “The argument got heated and one of the OSPAC guys brought out his pump action gun and shot the officer.”

    Speaking on the incident, the Chairman, Community Development Committee of Omuanwa, Ugho Chiang, confirmed the incident and condemned the killing.

    He stated, “We have handed over the OSPAC guy to the police area command in Isiokpo. That is what we achieved early this morning (Wednesday). Since yesterday (Tuesday), we had been networking to ensure that something was done in the interest of peace. So far, the community is calm.

    “Yes, we lost a hardworking young man, an agent of the Federal Government. It is despicable. It is unfortunate that he is dead; otherwise we would have had his own side of the story.

    “It is as if we are hearing from one side now. This thing is a case of carryover of aggression.”

    Chiang advised youths of the community to be civil, saying, “If you conduct yourselves in a civil manner, you will not attract the wrath of the government or OSPAC.

    “All the eight villages in the community all contributed to fund OSPAC.

    “In as much as we have brought OSPAC, we have to let it work. So, the issue of denouncing cultism is the problem here.

    “If you are a cultist and as a youth, you should denounce cultism. That is my advice. There are other youths who were not arrested and forced to denounce cultism.

    “So the youth should cooperate to ensure enduring peace. But that does not justify the killing of the Air Force man. Nothing should warrant anybody to take anyone’s life, because there is sanctity of life guaranteed in the constitution of Nigeria.

  • Scores feared dead in Rivers cargo boat fire

    Scores feared dead in Rivers cargo boat fire

    Scores fear feared dead when a cargo boat caught fire in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

    The boat, popularly known as market boat, was conveying traders to an unknown destination when it caught fire at Bonny/ Bille/Nembe Jetty at Port Harcourt township area.

    The fire, which reportedly started around 10am on Monday, is still raging at the time of filing this report.

    However, the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained but onlookers suspected that a careless smoker may have thrown unspent cigarette into the boat.

    According to the Nation, eyewitnesses said a woman and three of her children on board were feared dead.

    Eyewitnesses said the double deck cargo boat usually conveys over 50 persons and goods.

  • EFCC Arrests 27 Illegal Oil Bunkerers in Rivers

    EFCC Arrests 27 Illegal Oil Bunkerers in Rivers

    The personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rivers State Command have arrested 27 persons over alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering.

    The suspects were said to have been arrested at the weekend, in Ahoada Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Disclosing this Monday in a press release by the Head, Media & Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, the anti-graft agency revealed the suspects as Mohammad Bello, Abubarkar Umar, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, Mohammad Bashimu, Bello Mohammad, Abdullahi Murtala, Paul Paparoman, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Usman Abdulahi, Illiyasu Ibrahim and Idris Dahiru.

    According to the statement, others are Hussaini Yaiu, Bala Audu, Ibrahim Muhammad, Auwal Abdulsalam, Laminu Yusuf, Suleiman Abubarkar, Abdulahi Musa, Mamuda Abdulahi, Edima Samuel Gospel, Nural Abdulahi, Dauda Adamu, Adamu Ibrahim, Ali Abah, Sabiu Sani, Azumi Blaik and Keshim Ordu.

    Uwujaren stated that the suspects were arrested in random raids conducted by the EFCC based on verified intelligence on their alleged illegal oil bunkering activities.

    He said: “In the course of the arrest, large quantities of products suspected to be illegally-refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were found with them. Twenty (20) jerry cans and 25 litres of the products, stored in drums and tanks, ready for onward transportation to various locations, were intercepted.”

    He added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.