The Watch Reporters

DSS ESTABLISHES DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS.

The Department of State Services (DSS), as part of efforts in sustaining its engagement with citizens and the public at large as well as deepening democratic governance, transparency and accountability, has established a new Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC). Consequently, it has appointed Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi, the erstwhile Public Relations Officer, to head the Directorate as the supervising Director and also be in charge of the Service’s public communications. The appointment took effect from 26th September, 2023. The Service has commended its Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc, for the initiative to undertake the expansion and particularly appointing Afunanya to pilot the Directorate.

Afunanya comes to his new role with over 20 years vast and rich experience in Intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation, counterterrorism, open source intelligence management, background checks and security vetting, surveillance, security sector/intelligence governance, democratic accountability in law enforcement, educational research, peace advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, development communication, interagency cooperation/liaison, joint operations, teaching, public and media relations, reputation management, strategic communication, protocol and diplomatic affairs, writing, public speaking, stakeholder engagement among others.

A Ph.D holder in Security and Strategic Studies which he bagged in 2019 from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Afunanya also possesses a Master's degree in Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Kwara State from where he graduated in 2011. Similarly, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Uyo in 2009. Earlier, Afunanya graduated from Abia State University, Uturu, in 1997 with a Se

Dozie Samuel Nwafor Jr.

GOD WON'T GIVE POWER TO THE WICKED, TREACHEROUS -WIKE

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says he and his allies of the G5 group are never playing God as to determine who becomes the next president of Nigeria.

Governor Wike stated these in reaction to statement in the media that said God will determine the next president of Nigeria, not G5 governors.

The Rivers State governor, speaking at the flag-off of Ogbo- Ihugbodo Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Saturday, said, those behind the statement should have known that even if God gives power, it should not be given to the wicked.

"Don't be treacherous in life because you want power. God will never give power to the wicked. Our hands are clean we have not done anything wrong.

"All we are saying is, do things in a way all of us will have sense of belonging, that all of us will believe that we are together.

"That is all we are saying. If saying so is wrong, then let it be to God. But we know that it is good as right takes, let left take also."

Governor Wike explained that members of the G5 believe in the omnipotence of God and always align their various affairs to such, which is why they keep getting stronger by the day.

The Rivers State governor pointed out that the person who said that it only God and not G5 governors who can decide who will be president seemed not to understand the background of members of the group.

"We are alive today, we are where we are because of God. Nobody can even breathe air if not God, not to talk of holding position. So, nobody can tell us that it is only God, we know that it is only God that gives power.

"But our prayer is that God, don't allow those who will sell off Nigeria in the next one second to be in power. Our prayer is God, don't allow anybody that you (people) will have an agreement with and in the next two minutes, the person will change.

"Our prayer is that almighty God will not allow those who will betray their brothers when they have agreed with their brothers to do something. God, may you never allow such people."

Governor Wike also noted that the person said that there will be division among the G5, an expectation that had long been frustrated since May/June 2022.

"It has never worked and it will never work in Jesus name. By sitting down to say that there will be division, I send back that prayer to you.

"I don't want to discuss them. I have told people, allow the sleeping dog to lie. If you don't allow sleeping dog to lie, you too will not sleep."

The Rivers State governor also pointed to another person saying that they will handle members of the G5 when they have decided where to throw their support.

"These are the things that annoy us. Who is this person saying this? I heard them say that PDP is a responsible party I agree. But when they left PDP in 2014 against 2015.

"When they left and made PDP to lose our election. Today, we are struggling to take over power from APC. Who are those who made us to lose this power."

Commenting on the project, Governor Wike the Ogbo -Ihugbodo road is one of the many projects his administration has continued to deliver to restore Ahoada Town and the surrounding communities to what it used to be when it was a divisional headquarters.

The governor emphasised that it is already established that he is creating an unbeatable record as an administration in Nigeria that will continue to deliver democratic dividend until the last day of his tenure.

Governor Wike stated that the jealousy expressed by some detractors is because of the capacity he has continued to demonstrate in governance, combining delivery of projects and attending to issues of governance with none suffering.

He threw a challenge to those who feel jealous to also show capacity and combine project flag-off, inauguration and governance simultaneously if they can.

Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George -Kelly Dakorinima Alabo said the Ogbo -Ihugbodo road is 6.1KM long, with about 4.1KM cutting through fresh vegetation.

He stated that the road is 7.3 meters wide, has 4KM length of drains on both sides and should be delivered within five months.

CROSS OVER AND MOVE ON:

When I started using pen in my primary school, and I made a mistake, I would try hard to erase it before submitting to my teacher.

Sometimes, I use chalk to clean my mistake but it later re-appeared.
So I began to use saliva, it worked, but only to leave holes in my books.
My teachers then used to beat me for being outrageously dirty. But all I tried to do was to cover my error.

One day, a kind hearted teacher who loved me so much called me aside and he said, " Anytime you make a mistake, just cross it and move on" .
He said further " Trying to erase your mistakes would only damage your book.
I told him in protest that I don't want people to see my mistake.
My loving teacher laughed and said " Trying to erase your mistake will make more people know about your mess and the stigma is for life".

Have you made some mistakes in life? Cross it over and move on.
Don't expose yourself as a result of trying to cover your mistakes.

Better things are ahead of you.
Strike your 2022 mistakes and move into 2023 with a fresh note.
Enjoy His unfailing Grace all through 2023. Jesus Christ remains your strength and shield.

Happy new year .