. No regret proscribing IPOB in Rivers State—Wike
The Senator representing Abia South senatorial zone, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has vowed to remain in the struggle for the actualization of Igbo Presidency come 2023.
According to him, “My stand on this issue is for the agitation of Justice, equity and fairness for the Southeast in national affairs despite odds”.
He argued that giving up the agitation to accord the zone equal opportunities with other parts of the country would deepen their already existing pitiable condition and thus subject her people to second class citizens.
The Senator who stated this after being presented with a legacy merit Award as the “most outstanding performing senator in the Southeast 2020” by the NUJ, Imo state council insisted that the quest for a president of Igbo extraction in 2023 was non negotiable.
Represented by his aide-Chief Chijioke Ukoh, the senator however enjoined the Igbo not to relent but to remain firm, resolute and undaunted in the face of legions of challenges, assuring that light would definitely appear at the end of the tunnel one day.“The legacy Award is an appreciation and the reward for good work is more work, please continue to be fearless, objective and constructive in the discharge of your duties as the watch dog of the society in line with the ethics of your noble profession”.
Governor Hope Uzodimma who spoke through his commissioner for information and strategy Declan Emelumba said that an annual merit Award for outstanding journalists in the state would be instituted by the state government next year.
This, he said is to appreciate and to spur such shining stars in journalism to greater height.
The governor said that he had taken steps to reposition government owned media Houses in the state for greater efficiency and productivity and assured the journalists of government sustained support.
Chris Isiguzo, the national president of NUJ represented by the NUJ chairman Southeast Kenneth Ofoma described the union (NUJ) as an international Organization that mirrors the society.
The NUJ boss who commended Governor Uzodinma for reviving public moribund media houses in the state enjoined politicians of South East extraction to close ranks for the actualization of a president of Igbo extraction 2023.He urged media professionals to shun acts capable of denting the image of the profession.
In his address earlier, the state chairman of NUJ, Chris Akaraonye said that the Merit Award put in place 7 years ago was meant to encourage hard work and excellence among journalists in the state devoid of sentiment, favouritism or nepotism.
Chief Akaraonye called for oneness and unity of purpose among journalists in the state so as to build a united, stronger and prosperous journalism in the state.
No regret proscribing IPOB in Rivers State—Wike
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, says he has no regret proscribing the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Rivers State due to his belief in the unity of Nigeria.
He said, Nigerians must at all times rise to protect and defend the interest of the country, and not allow parochial, sentimental politics to destroy the country.
He stated this when a delegation of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) paid a solidarity visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt , to commend him for his untiring efforts and dedication to protect the interest of ethnic groups living in Rivers State.
The governor said the EndSARS protest was peaceful in the state until IPOB hijacked it, and committed arson by killing 6 Army officers, 4 Police officers, burnt police stations and courts.
According to him, he cannot sit as governor and watch such lawless acts to be perpetrated by a people that has been proscribed by the Federal Government to cause ethnic war.
“Without any apology, I am a true Nigerian. I believe that things must be done properly in a way that every component part of this country will be satisfied,” he stated.
Wike, reiterated that he has never been against any particular ethnic group living in the State, including every law abiding Igbos. He however, maintained that as a governor he cannot tolerate a situation where some misguided persons under the guise of IPOB would unleash attack on innocent Nigerians in Rivers State.
He explained that if the State Security Council was not proactive to impose curfew in the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area, the situation would have degenerated to war between Igbo and Hausa community residing in the area.
According to him, the decision forestalled ethnic reprisal attacks that would have led to total breakdown of law and order in Oyigbo Local Government Area and parts of Diobu axis of the State capital.
He said all Nigerians must stand against injustice at all times no matter who is involved and be determined to work for the interest of the country.
He further asserted that he is a true Nigerian and will continue to work for its indivisibility.
CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said they were in the State to express their profound gratitude to the Governor for his leadership, sacrifice, statesmanship, and unwavering commitment deployed in protecting Northern communities from the violence and violation of their rights and dignity during the mayhem in Oyigbo.
“Your concerned promptness in redeeming the solemn pledge of N200 million to the families of security personnel affected negatively by the flip side of the protests is certainly reassuring. We reasonably believe that if the federal authorities were to emulate the wisdom of offering such incentive to our troops on the front line, it would heighten their morale which is a present very low”, he said.
The CNG craved the Governor’s indulgence as the caring and compassionate leader, to extend the same magnanimity to the unfortunate victims of the ugly side of the protests from Northern Nigeria to enable them start over.
“Similarly, we are impressed by your level of rare courage and uncompromising stance in the repudiation of the activities of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s fugitive leader Nnamdi Kanu in your state. This without doubt, is a commendable feat, because if leaders today need to hear the truth, they should be told that most of them have lost the energy and some of the courage to take responsibility in the interest of national sovereignty , national security, national peace and constitutionalism.”
The delegation was led by the chairman board of trust of CNG, Nastura .A. Sheriff according to a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor.
