Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has read the riot act to school principals in the state, saying anyone caught involved in cult activities would be summarily dismissed.
He stressed that schools in the State are for quality teaching and learning, and not breeding grounds for cultism.
Governor Fubara stated this at the commissioning of the remodeled Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri in the old Port Harcourt township on Tuesday.
He said his administration is committed to providing world-class edifices that will inspire teachers to give their best in grooming students as he believes in education as the foundation for development and growth.
Fubara noted that though the project was started by his predecessor, it has been completed by his administration by effectively deploying taxpayers’ money for the good of Rivers people.
While charging the school authority to do everything possible to secure the facility, the governor enjoined the students to devote more time to their studies to become the best in their careers.
The Governor said, “Today, we have a world-class edifice. We have an environment that makes you feel and appreciate learning, even our students will be happy to be in school.
“It will also encourage our teachers and spur them to put in their best. That was why the government at that time started it.
“When we came on board, we saw every reason to see that it was concluded and commissioned for the good of our people.
“Let me say it here, it should be a policy. Any principal found to be associated with cultism will be dismissed from service.”
Performing the commissioning, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha, SAN, commended the administration of Governor Fubara for transforming the school with quality structures and learning facilities that have become envious.
In his project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedum Mmom said there are administrative blocks of offices for staff, laboratories for sciences and agriculture, including Information Communication Technology, and a library.
“There is also a 24-classroom block, 500-capacity multipurpose hall, and sporting complex,” Prof Mmom stated.
On his part, the president of the Old Boys Association of the school, Dr. Nobel Abe expressed their appreciation to the State government for responding to their plea and had remodeled the structures at the school to make it a befitting learning Institution.
Why Cultism?
Earlier, a DPO in the state was killed by suspected cultists.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara declared one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, a.k.a. 2-Baba and all members of his criminal gang wanted for the murder of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bako Angbashim, in Odiemudie Community, Ahoada East local government area of the state.
Also, Fubara announced a N100 million bounty on 2-Baba, for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.
Similarly, the governor slammed an indefinite suspension on a monarch, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, for complicity in the murder.
Governor Fubara made this known in a statement he signed and issued on Saturday evening and made available to newsmen.
The statement said the monarch ceded control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.
The statement reads, “Yesterday, 8th September 2023 at about 7.00 pm, I was briefed on the security operations around the Odiemudie Community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, by a bunch of criminals, presently at large.
“S.P. Bako and his team ran into an ambush while returning from their operation where they were attacked by the criminals. Unfortunately, he was shot in the ensuing gunfire, captured and eventually murdered by his captors.
“Credible intelligence from the security agencies traced the entire incident to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and his criminal gang, who have established camps in the locality and are responsible for the resurgence of violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.
“As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our State.
“Accordingly, upon the review of the entire incident and the security situation in the affected areas with the security agencies, we have decided on the following measures to bring the murderers of SP Bako to justice and arrest the deteriorating security situation in the Ahoada East Local Government:
“First, the prime suspects, Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared wanted.
“Secondly, a bounty of one hundred million (N100,000,000.00) naira is hereby placed on his head for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.
“Thirdly, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, is hereby suspended indefinitely for acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.”
Continuing, the Governor said, “I reiterate our commitment to guaranteeing the security of all residents and assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to hunt down Gift David and his gang and bring them to justice.
“Finally, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I hereby extend my profound condolences to the family of SP Bako, especially the wife and children and the State’s Police Command for this irreparable loss.
“SP Bako was a fine, brave and dutiful police officer, who gave up his life to keep us safe and secure. He died in active service to his nation and we remember him for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.
“The Government of Rivers State will not allow his family to suffer the pains of his sudden and irreplaceable loss alone as we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”
