STRONG REPORTERS

UN AWARD TO GOV. WIKE IS A SCAM – RIVERS APC …UN-HABITAT DISOWNS AWARD Following obvious curiosity that is trailing a reported United Nations (UN)-backed award under the platform of Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) and inquiries by the Rivers State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, on the status of the purported award, the UN-Habitat Headquarters, New York, which liaises with development partners on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programmes of the UN has disowned the SCAHSA award reportedly to be conferred on Gov. Nyesom Wike Tuesday, 31st October in New York. Following our e-mail inquiry dated Monday 30th October (yesterday) concerning the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award organised by SCAHSA, the UN-Habitat New York Office, in a statement dated same day and signed by the Secretary and IT Focal Point, Mr. Angel Gomez, dissociated the UN from such an award. The response is reproduced here under: “...

*GOV. WIKE'S SCAHSA AWARD; GROSSLY MISPLACED AND UNMERITED. - INCRA* A foremost media group in Rivers State, the Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA,  strongly faults the conferment of an award of recognition on Gov. Wike by the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Award (SCAHSA) group. SCAHSA, a group under the United Nations is set to honour the Governor with the Global Human Settlement Outstanding Contributions Award, an award conferred on individuals, corporations or government that have recorded salient achievements in areas of urban renewal drives, housing projects and generally on programs geared towards ameliorating the living conditions of the populace. We are yet to reckon with the rationale for bestowing the award on the Governor in the face of his penetrating aversion towards urban renewal policies and programs. The Wike-led Government practically abandoned all urban development programs initiated by the Amaechi-led government, including ...

RIVERS PDP SHENANIGANS, POLITICISIZATION OF ALGON MATTER IN COURT: THE TRUE POSITION – RIVERS APC The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State Chapter is dismayed that in the past one week or so, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has launched an all-out media war on both the Court of Appeal and the APC over the pending matter of sacked Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen in Rivers State in 2015. In the ensuing media blitzkrieg, the PDP, in a full-blown press conference and sundry interviews their leaders have separately been granting the media made strings of accusations that impugned on the integrity of the Court of Appeal, some judges and, by direct inference, the APC.

National Assembly okays autonomy for local governments, INEC to be in charge of Local Government elections!!! The National Assembly on Tuesday, granted full financial and administrative autonomy to all the 774 local council authorities across Nigeria by amending section 124 of the nation’s constitution. The section provides a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments.

Dumo Lulu-Briggs Hails Endorsement of Buhari For 2019 By Atiku Supporters in Adamawa State; Describes it as an Endorsement of Development and National Integrity Frontline Rivers State APC chieftain and distinguished Rivers lawyer, Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs has hailed the recent endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari, by the Adamawa state chapter of the Alhaji Abubakar Atiku support group, describing the move as a clear signal that Nigerians appreciated the steady but qualitative leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. Fielding questions on this latest development at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Sunday, 23rd of October, Chief Lulu-Briggs declared that by endorsing Presudent Buhari, the Atiku supporters and all other Nigerians at the meeting have endorsed development and national integrity. Chief Lulu-Briggs made the disclosure while responding to the widely reported news that prominent supporters of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and some Stakeholder...

Ijaw Project endorses Dumo Lulu-Briggs for 2019 The Ijaw Project, an organization of resolute minds who are desirous to effect socio-political changes in Rivers State, has endorsed Chief Barrister Dumo Lulu-Briggs as its governorship candidate for the 2019 elections. The Ijaw Project, whose avowed agenda is to actualize the dividends of democracy on the premise of promoting godly values, made this declaration in an address delivered by its Director General, Comrade Somina Wokoma, on the occasion of the birthday celebration of Chief Bekinbo Soberekon on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Members of the Ijaw Project had gathered in large numbers to honour Chief Soberekon in Port Harcourt and addressing a large crowd of friends and associates of the Kalabari Chief, popularly known as "Soberekon for the masses", the Director General of Ijaw Project, Somina Wokoma said: "Respected Chiefs, Elders, Youths, Crusaders, and the good people of Rivers State, today the over thirty-f...

Re: RSG DID NOT AUTHORISE THE MILITARY TO INOCULATE SCHOOL CHILDREN: INCRA DEMANDS THE RESIGNATION OF EMMA OKAH, THE HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION RSG The Interethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) has noted with great dismay the recent public display of administrative recklessness through an unfortunate Press Release from the office of the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emma Okah. The public should note that until the unfortunate release by Mr. Okah, the incredulous information merely existed in the realm of rumors. It was indeed the pernicious release by the Commissioner that precipitated the social turbulence.

KANO ASSEMBLY, OTHERS PLEDGE TO PASS NotTooYoungToRun Bill News by globalsentinel - October 16, 2017 As the Not Too Young To Run campaign team continue its advocacy across 36 states of Nigeria to ensure the bill meets up with the minimum of 24 states passage to become law, Kano state house of assembly have agreed to give the bill a chance to fly. While assuring that Kano is a ‘YES’ state to the age reduction bill, the Kano state speaker of house of assembly, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Atta promised to mobilize other members to support the bill. The speaker also said he will invite the Not Too Young To Run team for a public hearing to present a position paper before the state constitutional amendment. This was revealed by Kano state coordinator of the Not Too Young To Run campaign, Maryam Usman during a visit to state house of assembly on Tuesday. According to Usman, the speaker advised the team that, they should ensure to reach out to all the 36 state Governors as some states have d...

GOV. WIKE'S TRIP TO SPAIN; A MINDLESS WASTE OF SCARCE RESOURCES. ▫Over N400 Million spent to watch favourite Club's match. The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA, describes as the height of profligacy and imprudence, Gov. Wike's recent pleasure trip to Spain with a large retinue to watch the La-Liga match between FC Barcelona and their rival Athletico Madrid on taxpayers' money amidst frightening economic squeeze and budget crunch. Only recently, the State Government received a whooping sum of N12.45 Billion from the Federation Account being its share of the statutory allocation for the month of September 2017. Rather than channel these funds into meaningful projects or payment of salaries owed workers in the State, the Governor elected to embark on a jamboree trip with his clique of friends at the expense of the poor and innocent masses. This is the second time in a very short interval that the Governor has embarked on such futile and unr...

2019: GOV. WIKE'S DESPERATION TO BECOME VICE PRESIDENT ON THE RISE - INCRA The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA, expresses grave concern about Gov. Wike's rising desperation to clinch the Vice Presidential slot of his Party, the PDP, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

FINALLY- The Senate has passed the Electoral Act No. 6 (2010 Amendment) Bill 2017 into law. 1. There shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as INEC may introduce for elections from time to time. 2. Presiding Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centers. Presiding officer who contravene this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine). 3. All Presiding Officer must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them. The data/result recorded must be the same with what they transmitted. 4. INEC now has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting. 5. Besides manual registers, INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters. 6. INEC is now mandated to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 d...

BONNY-BODO ROAD: INCRA HAILS PRESIDENT BUHARI The Inter-Ethnic Network For Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi(INCRA) commends President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping to his electioneering campaign of constructing the Bonny-Bodo Road if and when elected. Unlike most politicians who make promises but never fulfil them, President Buhari has demonstrated that in a pool of politicians, there still exist worthy men and women of character whose words are their bond. As a progressive group, we cannot but thank Mr. President for being forthright and frugal with meagre earnings from petrodollar. It's a global phenomenon that in that last two and half years, the price of crude oil has nose-dived to all time low such that nations dependent on earnings from oil sales at the international market are grappling with this reality but you have succeeded in entrenching a new culture of frugally expending lean national income to the benefit of all. Whereas, we can say that there was a period in our politi...

FLAG-OFF OF BONNY/BODO ROAD: BARR. DUMO LULU-BRIGGS EXPRESSES JOY, THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT. Chief Barr. Dumo Lulu-Briggs has expressed deep joy and sincere thankfulness to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for actualizing the flag-off of the Bonny/Bodo road project, which he considers as one of the best omens experienced in recent times by the people of  Rivers State . The APC Chieftain describes the ceremony as a worthy consolation and a refreshing and hopeful development for Rivers people, particilarly at this time of ceaseless horror and traumatic events  in the land. Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs heartily  applauds the Federal Government for keeping faith with her promises to the people and expresses his heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who was ably represented at the epoch making event, by the Vice President,  Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his demonstration of love and commitment towards deve...

Bonny-Bodo Road: Wike Is Rivers Worst Enemy~ Dakuku Peterside  Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been labelled as the worst enemy of the people, following his alleged frequent "serial desperation and fake concern about the growth and development of the state."  The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside stated this in Port Harcourt while reacting to attempts by Rivers State government to frustrate the flagging off of Bodo-Bonny road project by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. Dr Peterside declared that Governor Wike should be ashamed of himself for continually being a clog in the wheel of Rivers progress.  He recalled that while Wike was minister during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, oil wells belonging to Rivers state were ceded to Bayelsa without him saying anything, just as he also frustrated all efforts by the then Chibuike Amaechi administration...

A TALE OF TWO AMBASSADORS: H.E Dr DAP. As a young primary school pupil I always thought that an Ambassador refers to the representative of our country to another country.  As time went on , I realized that an Ambassador is someone who represents our collective aspiration and value system.  I know of two ambassadors ;one appointed to represent our country in a foreign land and another is representing us at home charged with responsibility of transforming our land . One is trustworthy, another easily betrays trust . That one  that is responsible is  noted for excellence and another is an epitome of mediocrity.

Prince Awalanta Ejire Felicitates With His Excellency Ambassador Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa On His Appointment As Nigeria's Ambassador To Netherlands. The Prince Of Eleme Kingdom, and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Prince Awalanta Mike Ejire expresses delight as an Eleme son, brother and leader successfully resumes as the First Eleme Ambassador to Netherlands.

Anti-SARS protesters procured and funded by Gov. Wike – Rivers APC  Yesterday (Friday), a group of young men and women marched in Port Harcourt carrying anti-Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) placards. The motley crowd of obviously hired young people was covered by the full compliments of Port Harcourt Government House Press Corp, confirming the suspicion that it was Gov. Nyesom Wike that was the architect and executioner of the project in his sustained bid to politicise security in Rivers State ahead of 2019 general election. The protest of Friday did not come to the APC and cursory observers as a surprise because 24 hours earlier, the Rivers State Government through the Information and Communications Commissioner, Barr. Emma Okah, had flown a kite by accusing the APC of planning to organise a protest in solidarity with SARS. Okah’s press release was obviously meant to divert attention from the anti-SARS protest the government had already planned as was witnessed yesterday....

INCRA FELICITATES WITH TEACHERS IN RIVERS STATE The Inter-Ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi(INCRA) heartily felicitates with teachers in Rivers State as they celebrate World Teachers' Day. As a responsible group, we cannot but identify with these men and women who have chosen the noble profession of transferring knowledge and character-moulding, even as they have shown resilience and diligence in the quest to educate, enlighten and even mould the characters of the people amidst daunting challenges. These men and women who have chosen to nurture and raise not only an enlightened society from the cradle to the age of maturity deserve to be celebrated while they are still alive. Gone are the days when it was said that the rewards of teachers are in heaven. Thank you for raising us for who we are. We use this auspicious day to thank Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who in his quest, to advance the human capital development of Rivers State, added thirteen thousand and ...

TEACHERS CHANGE THE WORLD: HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY RIVERS STATE TEACHERS In 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed October 5 to be World Teachers’ day. Having recognized the 5th October 1966 joint recommendations of UNESCO/ILO on the status of teachers, the world came together through the United Nations Agency and adopted October 5 as a day to celebrate teachers. The International Teachers Day is held annually to commemorate teacher organizations worldwide. It aims at mobilizing support for teachers and ensuring that the educational needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers. It is apt to state that the significance of this day applies mainly to most of the third world nations including Nigeria where teachers appear to be neglected and treated as third class citizens. In our own state, Rivers State, instances abound which prove that our teachers have not fared well since taking over from the missio...

NIMASA Institutes Essay Competition to Commemorate World Maritime Day As part of activities marking the 2017 World Maritime Day Celebration, the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the institution of an essay competition to commemorate the event. The essay competition titled "Connecting Ships, Ports and People" which is the theme for the 2017 World Maritime Day celebration is expected to be 1200 words long and is open to only first and second year students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria who must provide proof of studying at that level. The winning prizes include Education Grant of N500,000.00 for the first position, N350,000.00 for the runner up and N250,000.00 for the third position with a laptop computer for each of them. There would also be consolation prizes of N100,000.00 for seven participants. Speaking on the initiative, the Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said that the idea of the Essay Com...

Maritime Provides A Veritable Opportunity For Economic Growth - NIMASA DG …charges stakeholders to collaborate with NIMASA to develop Nigeria’s Blue Economy. The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the need for stakeholders to actively participate in the Nigerian maritime sector in order to support the growth of the country’s blue economy. Dr. Peterside who made this known while addressing stakeholders at the Harmonised NIMASA Stakeholders Interactive Forum with the theme “Synergy: An Instrument for Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy” which held on Friday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos said that amount of littoral states in Nigeria and the length of the nation’s makes the development of Nigeria blue economy a necessity for the country’s benefit. The NIMASA DG said that the Agency is currently on a mission of changing the landscape of the nation’s maritime domain b...

NIGERIA @57, THE WAY FORWARD FOR YOUTH EMANCIPATION : BVLYI Nowadays, people and property are not well taken care of because the government and people in position of power has leave to their bid. Nigeria is blessed with natural endowment that can solve and sort people's challenge(s). But,our government and those occupying sensitive position have not being up to the demands, things are not going the way it should to better the life of the youth and other citizens of the country. Since the establishment of NYSC,in May 22nd 1973 where the first director General  AHMADU ALI served until 1975,Nigeria and Nigerians have not really enjoyed the essence of the scheme. I said so because NYSC as it implies is  National Youth Service Corps, and is literally a service to your father's land to the community and locality you find your self. The provision made for this corps members are not to be compared with the attention given to militancy and militant groups in our country where ...

NIGERIA @57, THE WAY FORWARD FOR YOUTH EMANCIPATION Nowadays, people and property are not well taken care of because the government and people in position of power has leave to their bid. Nigeria is blessed with natural endowment that can solve and sort people's challenge. But,our government and humans occupying sensitive position has not leave their demands, things are not going the way it should to better the life of the youth and other citizens of the country Example : NYSC. Since the establishment of NYSC,in May 22nd 1973 where the first director General  AHMADU ALI served until 1975,Nigeria and Nigerians has not enjoyed the use of the scheme. I said so because NYSC as it implies is a National youth service corps literally a service to your father's land to the community and locality you find your self. The provision made for this corps members are not to be compare with the attention given to militancy and militant group in our country where a corps member receiv...

HAVE A HAPPY 1ST OF OCTOBER FELLOW NIGERIANS 'Independence and liberty keep the soul alive.' If it were up to me, my tag for this 57th Independence Day celebration would be, 'Love: the medicine for a strong and United Nigeria'. It is to God's glory that we gained Political independence from the Imperial hands of the  British Colonial masters. But taking the control of our political space in 1960 also meant a resumption of duty in the succeeding task of promoting National Integration. For long,  we have consistently looked at Nigeria's issue of unity from the political angle and have addressed it with numerous applicable political measures; but have also missed out on exploring one vital aspect that relates to our general humanity. Experiences in life have taught me that love is all it takes for humanity to bond. Without love, we can't talk about unity and progress. We can still rewrite our constitution; but this time, not with fingers and inks. W...

Independence Anniversary: We Are Gradually Making Progress ~Peterside The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside says despite going through difficult times since Independence, the country has remained one and is beginning to make sure and steady progress under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Felicitating with Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s  57th Independence anniversary, Dr Peterside says the last two years may have been challenging, but was quick to add that the policies, measures and decisions by the Federal Government were already yielding fruits, with the country’s economy out of recession and agriculture now occupying the front burner for the first time in decades. He praised the resilience and patience of Nigerians, who he says endured the difficult times before giving their mandate to President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rescue the nation from her drift an...

Prince Ejire Wishes Nigeria Happy  Independence ..Each Day Comes With It's Own Challenges, Successes And More Daunting Task Ahead, We still Remain United And A Progressive Nation. The Prince Of Eleme Kingdom, Hon. Prince Awalanta Mike Ejire has felicitated with Nigerians on her 57th Independence. Section 2(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly states that “Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state, which was colonised by the British in 1901. We understand the Constitutional role of the media as the fourth estate of the realm to inform, educate and enlighten citizens on various national and international issues. This way, they shape public opinion and set agenda for government and their role in this on-going discourse cannot be over emphasized. In a statement released by his media office, the Prince said "I call on interest groups across  various divides to shun speeches and statements that are inciting, threatening, divisive and inflamm...