By George Mgbeleke
Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the Nigerian Army of his administration’s continued support in the task of providing adequate security for oil and gas facilities as well as other critical national assets located in the state

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor,Onwuka Nzeshi, Fubara gave the assurance on Friday while receiving the new Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Ismaila Sule, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Governor congratulated the senior officer on his posting to Rivers State and noted that the State has, across different administrations, maintained a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigerian Army.

He described the partnership as a win-win relationship, stressing that government’s support to security agencies is not an extraordinary gesture, but a normal responsibility, given the importance of security to the social and economic development of the country.

Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the new military formation being created and sited in Ahoada, describing it as a strategic decision that will help reduce agitation, tension and security challenges prevalent in that part of the state. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu for the favour done to Rivers State.

The Governor emphasized that his government will never ask the military to do anything that will undermine its professional and statutory responsibilities or oppress any citizen, adding that his only interest is peace, progress and the development of Rivers State.

He said Sector 3, which is responsible for protecting critical national assets including oil pipelines, has always enjoyed massive support from the Rivers State Government, and assured that the support will not only be sustained but improved in the current dispensation.

In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Sule thanked Governor Fubara for the warm reception and for the consistent support of the State Government to the Army, pledging to strengthen synergy during his tour of duty in Rivers State.
Brig. Gen. Sule disclosed that he had been briefed by his predecessors on the consistent support the Army had received from the Rivers State Government, and conveyed the appreciation of the military high command to the state.

The Commander said his visit was to officially introduce himself to the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State, and to inform him of his plans to tour all 23 Local Government Areas in the State as well as nearby military formations.

Brig. Gen. Sule further disclosed that following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve Divisions, Rivers State will benefit from the expansion with a new Brigade to be stationed in Ahoada along with its affiliate battalions.

He said the new formation will help tackle security challenges in that axis and assured that under his command, the Army will do its best to ensure lasting peace and security across Rivers State.

BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The Executive Secretary of the Niger State Pilgrims’Welfare Board,(NSPWB) Muhammed Awwal Aliyu,has reiterated the Board’s preparedness to provide equal support and welfare services to Christian and Muslim Pilgrims from the state.

The assurance was contained in a press statement issued by the head of Media and Communication of the Board Hajiya Lubabatu Muhammed Kusheriki and made available to Journalists in Minna Friday,the 9th of October,2026.

He gave the assurance in Minna while receiving newly appointed members of the Board’s Christian Department, led by Mrs. Deborah Salawu, during a courtesy and solidarity visit to formally introduce the team following their appointments.

Congratulating the new Board Members, the Executive Secretary described their appointments as timely and important to the effective administration of pilgrimage affairs in Niger State. He urged them to demonstrate commitment, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Executive Secretary stressed that the Christian Department remains an integral part of the Board, with the responsibility of coordinating and addressing the needs of Christian Pilgrims’ undertaking pilgrimage to approved Holy sites.

He assured the delegation that the Board would continue to provide the necessary institutional support and resources to ensure that Christian Pilgrims’ enjoy a smooth, well-coordinated and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience.

“We are one family in the Niger State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board. We will continue to serve both Muslim and Christian Pilgrims’ without discrimination,” he said.

He further charged the Board Members to regard their appointments as a call to service, urging them to uphold transparency, accountability and the fear of God while working collaboratively with other departments to strengthen the Board’s operations.

He then assured the delegation of his full support and cooperation, while commending the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, for promoting inclusiveness and fairness in the governance of the State.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mrs. Deborah Salawu, expressed appreciation to the Niger State Government for the opportunity to serve. She pledged the team’s commitment to supporting the Board’s mandate and promoting religious harmony through effective service delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Administration of the Christian Department, Mr. Lawrence Paul, welcomed the newly appointed members and briefed them on the Board’s administrative structure and operational procedures.

He assured them of the department’s readiness to provide the necessary guidance and administrative support to enable them to settle into their responsibilities and contribute effectively to the success of pilgrimage operations in the state.

By Our Correspondent

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, says his AK-47 remark was a metaphor for electoral strength and firmness, not a call to arms.

Tenebe said the expression was meant to communicate the importance of standing firmly by one’s democratic choice and protecting votes.

He explained that just as AK-47 is associated with strength, firmness and reliability, voters must show same qualities in defending their mandate.

The APC chairman stressed the reference was never intended to introduce violence into the electoral conversation.

He said the strength invoked was strength of conviction, not strength of arms.

According to him, defending the vote is a civic responsibility that requires vigilance, transparency and accountability throughout the process.

He said the analogy falls within political symbolism where familiar objects are used to convey resilience and determination.

Tenebe maintained such firmness must remain anchored in law, through peaceful participation, lawful observation and legitimate democratic mechanisms.

He said the message was about being steadfast in political choice and unwavering in democratic participation, not about wielding weapons.

“The essence was resilience without violence and firmness without lawlessness,” he said.

He urged electorate to understand the statement as call to value their votes and stand responsibly behind lawful choices.