News
Rivers crisis: Fubara warns police commissioner against taking sides
Rivers crisis: Fubara warns police commissioner against taking sides
Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State Governor, has advised partisan police officers who abandon their core professional responsibilities to pursue vested political interests to know that the enmity they fuel and eventually create will hurt them in the long run.
Fubara maintained that police officers are engaged and trained as professionals to protect lives and property while contributing to the desired peace in the state as a patriotic duty.
The governor insisted that it is, therefore, an aberration for any of them to think that protecting any particular individual or being one-sided in the political affairs to the detriment of the State amounts to professionalism.
Fubara gave the advice at the inauguration and formal handover of 100 operational vehicles acquired by his administration to the Rivers State Police Command at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, and sent to newsmen.
He said, “I need to say this so that you will understand. When you (Disu) came to Rivers State, and I had my encounter with you, I requested only one thing: That I will never ask you to do what is wrong. So do what is right. Protect the lives and property of Rivers people. Don’t be partisan.
“We have seen those people that were partisan; how they ended. And, I am saying it here to every one of you who is an officer who is being partisan: You will see how you will end.
“So, work in such a way that when your name is mentioned in this State, or your children come to this state, you won’t be scared. This is important.”
READ ALSO:
- Commuters stranded in Abuja as transport fares double after fuel price hike
- Osimhen receives grand welcome from Galatasaray fans
- Obi appoints Tanko as national coordinator of Obidient movement
Fubara urged them to forget about the current political anxiety in the state because, according to him, nothing will last forever.
He charged them to conduct their operations as real professionals who had been trained so that they could be effective in the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of people in Rivers State.
The Governor added, “It is not to protect any individual. It is not to be one-sided in the political affairs of the State. Politics will come and it will go. The enmity you are creating, for those of you who are partisan, will live with you forever.
“So, I want to advise you, I have said it before, and I am saying it again: I will never ask any of you to do what is wrong. My appeal is: to stand on the ethics of your profession and protect the lives and property of Rivers people. Be fair to all.”
Commenting on the donated vehicles, Governor Fubara said it is an achievement of the Commissioner of Police, whose idea was to make such operational vehicles available for his Command.
Fubara explained that what he had originally planned was to provide very high-profile vehicles to all the security agencies in the State to enhance their operational capabilities much more.
He said, “But, the CP advised that he did it sometime in Lagos State, that we should adopt that model by acquiring these vehicles you are seeing here: the Toyota Sienna, Camry, and Collora, and I bought into the idea.
“And why are we doing this? We discovered that the response time to crime scenes, launching attacks against acts of criminality, was slow because you (police) lack mobility.
READ ALSO:
- No more special promotions in police – PSC chair
- President Tinubu signs five critical MOU with President Xi Jinping of China
- 5 children arrested in UK on suspicion of killing 80-year-old
“And what we just did was a first phase of support to the Nigeria Police. We also intend to come again to give you other sophisticated vehicles to support what you are doing,” the Governor added.
Fubara assured that his administration will continue to support the police as a state government because, as he put it, they are worthy friends to have since criminals cannot be friends to covet.
He emphasised, “So, we need to accommodate you. We need to tolerate you. We need to work with you so that, in the end, people can live freely, move freely, and do their businesses freely in Rivers State.
“My Honourable CP, like I said before privately, I am saying it again: I want to appreciate you. We will give you all the support to succeed. I will give you all the support that will help to build your name into a better reckoning when you leave here. I am very sure God will elevate you positively,” he added.
In his opening remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the event as a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment towards achieving the safety and security of the state.
CP Disu expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for his unwavering support to the state Command which has translated into their dedication to serving the welfare of the various communities.
He said, “I stand before you filled with gratitude as we gather to commission these 100 vehicles, a generous donation from our esteemed Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“This act of generosity not only enhances our operational capacity but also reflects your deep concern for the citizens of the state.
“These vehicles will empower our officers, enabling them to respond more swiftly and effectively to emergencies and enhance our community policing efforts. With your support Sir, we are reinforcing our resolve to combat crime and uphold the rule of law.”
Rivers crisis: Fubara warns police commissioner against taking sides
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
READ ALSO:
- Mixed reactions trail moves to privatise PH, Warri, Kaduna refineries
- Ronaldo’s brace propels Al Nassr toward AFC champions league quarters
- Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe
- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
-
metro22 hours agoBREAKING: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
-
Business3 days agoJust in: Dangote refinery reduces petrol price for marketers
-
metro2 days ago40-foot container falls on car in Lagos
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Lagos Speaker, Obasa joins gov race, may battle Seyi Tinubu, others
-
Politics2 days agoLagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary
-
International2 days agoTrump to sack 15,000 transgender officers from U.S. military: Report
-
Entertainment2 days agoPolygamy best form of marriage for Africa – Okey Bakassi
-
Education14 hours agoUS University opens 2025 scholarships for international students