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Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-Fearing Leaders to Tackle Corruption, Drive National Progress
Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-Fearing Leaders to Tackle Corruption, Drive National Progress
By: Michael Mike
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development and good governance depends largely on the emergence of leaders guided by the fear of God, arguing that the country’s socio-economic challenges stem from a deficit of integrity and moral leadership.
The governor made the remarks on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt while receiving the World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Erton Köhler, alongside his wife, Andriene Marques Köhler, their daughter, Mariana Marques Köhler, and other senior church officials.
Fubara said leaders who are conscious of their accountability before God would be less inclined to abuse public trust, noting that the absence of such values has fuelled corruption, inequality, poverty and rising criminality across the country.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God,” the governor said. “If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line, and that is what has brought us to where we are today.”
He praised the Seventh-day Adventist Church for its long-standing investment in education, describing its schools and universities as critical platforms for nurturing competent and morally upright future leaders.
According to the governor, the church’s commitment to education demonstrates that religion should extend beyond preaching and denominational identity to making tangible contributions to national development through human capital development.
Fubara noted that by establishing and sustaining educational institutions, the church has continued to support Nigeria’s efforts to produce graduates equipped with knowledge, character and leadership values.
“We need the right people being in the right place, prepared properly with good minds. That is what we need, not just in Nigeria but around the whole world,” he said.
The governor also linked many of the country’s security and economic challenges to weak social welfare systems, stressing that citizens are less likely to resort to crime when they have access to quality education, affordable healthcare, decent wages and opportunities for a secure future.
He advocated a system where average-income earners can educate their children, access quality healthcare and own homes after years of productive service, insisting that such conditions would significantly reduce insecurity and other social vices.
Fubara thanked the church delegation for visiting Rivers State and for praying for the state, assuring them of his administration’s continued support for their activities.
Speaking earlier, Köhler said he was in Nigeria for a major church conference that would bring together thousands of Seventh-day Adventist ministers for leadership and empowerment training aimed at strengthening their pastoral work and service to society.
He expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded his delegation by the Rivers State Government, describing the visit as one that would remain memorable.
The church leader also highlighted the global reach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, revealing that it has more than 24 million members and over 182,000 places of worship spread across 212 countries and territories worldwide.
Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-Fearing Leaders to Tackle Corruption, Drive National Progress
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigerian troops have foiled an attack on Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, while three residents were reportedly killed in a separate incident at nearby Gwarim community.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 25, when troops deployed in the area responded to an attack on Rim community at about 6:08 p.m.
The troops engaged the attackers and successfully repelled the assault without any casualty among the personnel or members of the community.
However, at about 6:46 p.m., the troops responded to another report of gunfire at Gwarim community, also in Riyom LGA.
On arrival at the location, the troops discovered the bodies of three residents who had been killed while reportedly keeping watch in the bush outside the community.
The corpses of the victims were recovered and subsequently handed over to members of the community for further necessary action.
The troops have since intensified patrols and are dominating the area in an effort to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.
The latest incidents come amid heightened security concerns in parts of Plateau State, particularly communities around Riyom and neighbouring areas.
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have foiled an attempt by suspected terrorists to kidnap farmers at their farmlands in Tudun Harara village, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2026, when troops of the NATRAC Administrative Battalion, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kotonkoro, responded to a distress report on the attempted abduction.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged the terrorists upon arrival, forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding forest.
During the encounter, the fleeing terrorists abandoned a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to protect farming communities and deny criminal elements freedom of action across Niger State.
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
Operation Fansan Yamma troops foil ransom exchange, rescue kidnapped woman in Kebbi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued a kidnapped woman and disrupted a planned ransom exchange in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The troops, conducting counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the state, carried out the successful operation on Aug. 26, 2026, following credible intelligence on the planned ransom payment.
Zagazola Makama gathered from security sources that the victim had been abducted from her farm sometime last month, while the criminals were preparing to collect ransom in exchange for her release.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the transaction.
Sources said the criminals attempted to engage the advancing troops after sighting them but were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower.
The bandits subsequently fled in disarray, abandoning the hostage, who was immediately secured by the troops.
The victim was found unharmed and later transported to safety before being reunited with her family in Danko-Wasagu LGA.
Following the rescue, the troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the withdrawal route to ensure that the area was fully secured before returning to base.
In a related operation, the troops also conducted clearance and dominance patrols in Ngaski Local Government Area as part of efforts to maintain peace and deny criminal elements freedom of movement.
The patrols were completed without incident, further strengthening security presence and reassuring residents in the affected communities.
Operation Fansan Yamma troops foil ransom exchange, rescue kidnapped woman in Kebbi
Troops foil attack on Rim community, three killed in Gwarim, Plateau
Operation Savannah Shield troops foil attempted kidnapping of farmers in Niger
Army troops recover 97 rustled livestock, hand them over to owners in Kano
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