Okolobi Gist Specials

 Rivers police arrest married man who stabbed his side chic multiple times after rejecting his marriage proposal The police in Rivers state have arrested a 46-year-old man identified as Abi Baragon, who allegedly st@bbed his side chic multiple times, leaving her with life-threatening injuries. In a video that went viral in June 2025, the side chic cried for help after the man left her in a pool of her own blood. In a statement released today October 17, the spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said following the receipt of the viral video, operatives attached to the Human Rights Department, State Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port-Harcourt, swiftly swung into action, leveraging intelligence-led Policing and technical support and apprehended the suspect on October 13, 2025 in connection with the crime. ‘’It was alleged that the suspect’s motive for the assault stems from the victim’s rejection of his marriage overtures, prompted by her discovery that the suspe...

  BAYELSA GOV DIRI RESIGNS FROM PDP ALONGSIDE 23 LAWMAKERS Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reportedly resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. This action signals one of the most significant political shake-ups in the state’s recent history. The development was announced by the Governor during the State Executive Council meeting where he addressed some stakeholders at Government House in Yanagoa on Wednesday.  While speaking, the governor said his decision followed “wide consultations and deep reflection on the political direction of the state and the need to align with the national leadership at the center.” The mass resignation represents a major blow to the PDP, which has maintained a stronghold in Bayelsa since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. It also comes amid growing political realignments across the South-South and South-East regions. Earlier this week, Enugu Stat...

 ‎ President Tinubu under pressure to sack Wike as FCT minister. According to multiple insiders, President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting pressure from some of his closest political allies and long-time associates to review his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike According to insiders , members of the Lagos APC elders’ council, also known as the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), have urged Tinubu to realign politically with Governor Siminalayi Fubara , ahead of 2027. ‎ ‎The elders reportedly told the president that Wike had become “a political baggage” and that continuing to associate with him could harm the administration’s reputation and electoral standing in the south-south region. ‎ ‎One of the elders , an 88-year-old long-time political ally of Tinubu, whom the president often consults for advice was said to have personally told him during a private meeting in Lagos that “it is time to do away with Wike.” ‎ ‎The elder, acco...

 COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN ONE MONTH OR GET OUT OF SITE, FUBARA WARNS RAFFOUL  Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara on Friday ordered Raffoul Nigeria Limited to complete the 6.5-kilometre Woji–Aleto–Alesa–Refinery Road within one month or face termination. The warning signaled mounting impatience caused by the protracted delay of the road project that also includes a roughly 200-metre bridge. Governor Fubara made the demand during an unscheduled inspection of the site, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Projects, Hebron Wisdom.  “This project was awarded about June 2020 by my predecessor,” Governor Fubara said. “I even went as far as giving them two variations to enable them achieve a good proportion of this job. But to my greatest surprise, there is no progress to show for it.” Governor Fubara noted that the project was evaluated and cancelled under an earlier emergency administration, but said he had given Raffoul “another ...

The photograph the Governor had with Wike and some GDI members  was merely  "a damage control photograph hurriedly arranged by Wike" by Emeka Mba ‎ ‎I said  " the intent was to send a signal of unity , family and oneness to the powers that be in Abuja ;  a clear attempt to dispel recent widely publicised rumors of rift between the Governor, the Assembly and Wikes GDI, which emanated due to Wike and his GDI Family's refusal to join the Governor in the Independence thanksgiving service" ‎ ‎I told you " The powers that be in Abuja, have called Wike to order,  and he now knows the president is now more informed about situations in Rivers state and will not come to his aide again if he allows his GDI people to erode the progress made so far" ‎ ‎I concluded by saying  " Watch out, going forward , you will start seeing positive changes in the behavior of those GDI trouble markers, in their relationship with the Governor"  ‎ ‎And today, ...

 ‎OCJ okocha warns Rivers Assembly against probing Ibas Ete; describes such move as unnecessary witch-hunt. ‎ ‎Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha, has advised the Rivers State House of Assembly to refrain from probing ex-Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. ‎ ‎Okocha made the call on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, urging lawmakers to channel their efforts toward rebuilding the state through robust legislative action rather than engaging in retrospective investigations. ‎ ‎Okocha described such a probe as unnecessary, warning that it could be misconstrued as a witch-hunt, given that Ibas was deployed by the President to perform specific duties and was not accountable to the state legislature. ‎ ‎“I think Ibas deserved some honour and respect; it will be unkind if our lawmakers begin to talk about probing him since they did not appoint him, nor was he reporting to them,” Okocha said. ‎ ‎Th...

 Do Demons Actually Exist?  with real-life experiences and biblical insight, in a conversational tone... The question of whether demons exist is one that has fascinated and scared many for centuries. If you’ve ever felt unexplained fear, strange occurrences, or spiritual battles, you might wonder—are demons really real? According to the Bible, the answer is yes. What the Bible Says Scripture talks about demons as real spiritual beings. In *Matthew 8:16*, Jesus casts out many demons from people, showing they aren’t just myths or symbols.  *Ephesians 6:12* reminds us, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood," but against spiritual forces of evil. And the dramatic story in *Revelation 12:7-9* tells of Satan and his demons being cast down from heaven. Human Experiences Many believers today share personal stories of feeling attacked by negative spiritual forces. One man told me how during a tough time, he experienced sudden nightmares and a deep sense of op...

  10 Ways Lies Can Destroy You   Lying, whether habitually or occasionally, carries a corrosive potential that extends far beyond the immediate deception.  It doesn't just damage the recipient; it systematically dismantles the liar's life, integrity, and future. Here are ten in-depth ways lies can destroy an individual: 1. Erosion of Trust and Reputation Trust is the bedrock of all human relationships—personal and professional. When a lie is exposed, it shatters this foundation. Others will view you as unreliable and manipulative, leading to a complete breakdown of faith in your word.  A tarnished reputation is incredibly difficult to mend, often resulting in social and professional isolation. People will actively avoid relying on you, excluding you from opportunities and important relationships. 2. Mental and Emotional Exhaustion (Cognitive Load) Maintaining a network of lies requires immense cognitive effort.  The liar must constantly remember what they ...

  WORIKA CLARIFIES, NO APPOINTMENT APPROVED FOR NWANOSIKE DISCLAIMER ON RIWAMA APPOINTMENT The Office of the Administrator of Rivers State wishes to disclaim a purported Special Government Announcement spreading round on social media and other platforms stating that His Excellency, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of ENGR. SAMUEL NWANOSIKE PhD as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), with effect from April 11th, 2025. The statement is allegedly signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika. We wish to categorically inform the good people of Rivers State and the general public to ignore the fake announcement. Please be informed that all official communications from the Office of the Administrator of Rivers State have appropriate channels through which they are circulated.  Signed  Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika Secretary to the State Governme...

 Rivers CP removes DPO, apologises over assault on journalists The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Adewale Adepoju, says the Divisional Police Officers in charge of the Abali Park jurisdiction where journalists were assaulted by officers of the command while covering the #TakeItBackProtest in Port Harcourt has been removed from office. Adepoju disclosed this to members of the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, during a courtesy visit to the union on Friday, where he tendered an unreserved apology to the union and the journalists who were assaulted by some police officers on Monday, April 7, 2025. Describing the media as core partners of the police, the CP explained that the visit became necessary in order to maintain the working relationship, as he cautioned his men against further attack on journalists, warning that erring officers will be sanctioned accordingly. "I leaned there was an issue in which some journalists were smoked and embarrassed, and I wa...

RIVERS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR DEBUNKS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE INTO RIVERS CIVIL SERVICE  RE: GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT  The Office of the Administrator of Rivers State wishes to disclaim a purported Special Government Announcement spreading round on social media and other platforms stating that His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the recruitment of 10,000 qualified graduates and non graduates into the Rivers State civil service and that the recruitment portal shall be opened for application midnight of Sunday 13/04/2025. The statement is claimed to have been signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika. We wish to categorically inform the people of Rivers State and the general public to ignore the fake announcement. An appropriate information will be released by the Rivers State Civil Service Commission when it falls due. Signed  Dr.(Mrs.) Inyingi S. I. Brown A...

 NBC bans media from broadcasting Eedris Abdulkareem's new song, Seyi Tell Your Papa.  The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has banned media houses from playing Eedris Abdulkareem's latest song. The song, titled Tell Your Papa, is a criticism of this current administration. In it, Eedris directed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to speak to his father about the worsening state of the country. In Tell Your Papa, Abdulkareem sings, "Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga." "Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. "Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem," he continues singing. The National Broadcasting Commission has now released a circular to media ...

 DOES INEC TRULY HAVE A NEW CHAIRMAN? On Monday, 7the April 2025, it was widely circulated on social media that President Bola  Tinubu had appointed a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It was then canvassed that while Professor Mahmood Yakubu was sacked, an Ogun Born Media Guru, Professor Bashiru Olamilekan was named as the substantive new INEC Chairman. But the presidency, swiftly responded and denied such appointment, dismissing it entirely. But on Wednesday 9th April 2025, amid the unsettling remour of the alleged sacking of Prof Yakubu, there seemed to be a new acting chairman in sight.. This time, he is not Prof Olamilekan but Mr Sam Olumekun, who until recently, was INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. This is because, during the meeting that INEC had with the Labour Party leadership, Mr Olumekun was actually referred to as acting INEC Chairman. So it is pertinent to ask again...

 RIVERS YOUTHS SHOULD BE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC JOINING MILITARY - WORIKA  Secretary to the Rivers State Government(SSG), Prof. lbibia Lucky Worika, has urged youths of the State to admire serving in the military and take advantage of the ongoing recruitment to be enrolled. Prof Worika expressed concerns over the low enrolment of Rivers youths into the military and assured of reviewing the enlistment processes adopted by the State to close any existing gaps This was contained in a statement by  Juliana Masi, the Head of Press Unit in the Office of the SSG on Tuesday saying that Prof Worika gave the assurance when he hosted the recruitment team from the Nigerian Army Headquarters in his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Wito Nzidee led the team and they were in the State to increase awareness among the youths to enrol in the ongoing 89" Regular Recruitment Intake for Trades/Non- Tradesmen and Women. Prof. Worika said the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Ad...

 I will not go into the gutter with because that's where you belong ~ Atiku fires back at Nyesom Wike    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of Nigerians.  This was in response to Wike’s recent remarks in Port Harcourt, where he referred to Atiku as a “rejected politician.” Wike’s comments followed Atiku’s reaction to the recent local government elections in Rivers State, where Atiku stated that the elections had revealed that “the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.” Wike, seemingly dismissing Atiku’s statement, said, “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians h...

 DEFUNCT MARTIN AMAEWHULE LED RIVERS ASSEMBLY DECLARES SEATS OF EDISON AND 3 OTHERS VACANT  ...  Gives Another Opportunity to Gov. Fubara to Present 2024 Appropriation Bill In compliance with the combined provisions Section of 109 (1)(e),(f) and Section 109 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as altered, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday,  at its 56th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session, has declared the seats of Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, Hon. Victor Oko Jombo, Hon. Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada East II, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro and Ahoada West Constituency respectively. Riding on the back of a Motion moved by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack and co-sponsored by 25 other Members, that the seats of these 4 Members be declared vacant for their continued refusal or failure to attend and participate in Legislative meetings of the House, without just cause for a period amounting in aggregate, to more than one-th...

 The Federal Government has criticized Rotimi Amaechi for calling on Nigerian youth to rise up and protest towards the high cost of living currently grappling the nation. In an interview this week, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed his disappointment at the way Nigerians are responding to the nation’s current economic challenges, stating that he had expected more visible reactions from citizens, particularly the youth. “I expected more agitation, especially from the youth. “I thought we would see protests in the streets, but it seems people are not expressing the kind of anger I expected,” remarked the former governor of Rivers State. The FG in response via a statement released by SA on Information, Bayo Onanuga, the government called Amaechi unpatriotic, saying he has been dependent on state resources for much of his adult life. The statement reads; ROTIMI AMAECHI INCITING ANARCHY IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNPATRIOTIC From the lavish comfort of his “proverbia...

  RESIDENCY TRAINING: GOV FUBARA PAYS OVER N300M GRANT IN TWO YEARS FOR 389 DOCTORS •Sets New Record In Healthcare Funding  Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the release of over N300million as grant to 389 medical doctors in the State Civil Service who are on residency training. The released fund will cover two consecutive years - 2023-2024 -  Residency Training Grant requirements with payments ranging from N800,000 to N900,000 per resident doctor for each year. A total of 215 resident doctors received the funding for the year 2023, while 174 resident doctors have so far received the training grant in 2024 in the State. With this milestone, the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has set a new record in the healthcare funding as residency training grant has only been paid twice in the past 16 years, with the last paid in 2018. By this strategic action, Governor Fubara, has recommitted the resolve of his administration towards en...

  NATIONWIDE PROTEST: LIFE'LL BE BETTER AFTER THIS PHASE OF HARDSHIP - GOV FUBARA  •Urges Protesters To Be Peaceful •Warns Against Hijack By Hired Thugs Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured of sustaining the implementation of policies and programmes that will continue to make living better by the day for all residents in the State. The Governor acknowledged the realities of the current harsh economic conditions that have necessitated the nationwide protest, but insisted that it will be for a short time, given the commitment of President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to secure a better future for all Nigerians. Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the gates of Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday when he addressed a group of youths on #EndBadGovernance protest, who came to register their complaints over the growing economic hardship in the country.  The Rivers State governor thanked the youths for being peaceful with their pro...