Politics
Amaechi Opens CPA Confab In Rivers
The Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi will on Monday, 20th July, 2009 officially declare open the 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), African Regional Conference in the state.
Already, the preliminary conference attracting no fewer than 16 countries from the African Region started on Monday, 13th and is expected to end on the 25th July, 2009 at the magnificent auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in Port Harcourt.
A statement from the press officer to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Soye Young-Itiye described the regional conference as historic milestone because it is the first time the state legislature is hosting the commonwealth parliamentary association, since the establishment of the body in 1911.
According to him, special commendation should be given to the state governor who had graciously accepted the hosting of the conference during his tenure as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
He said apart from the governor’s desire to reposition the infrastructural development of the state, amidst global economic meltdown, the need to host the conference was still provided on the front burner in his policy implementation programmes.
“The CPA is seen as a body set-up to promote and advance parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance, was found in 1911 as the empire parliamentary associations and its affairs was administered by the United Kingdom”, he said.
He explained that the conference which has its theme as Commonwealth at 60: Challenges and Opportunity”, has its pioneer members drawn from Australia, Canada, New Found Land, New Zealand, South-Africa and the United Kingdom, adopted and changed its present name in 1948 to enable members to participate in the association’s management and establish a separate secretariat to manage its affairs.
According to him, more than 50 new parliaments and legislatures joined or rejoined the CPA adding that, there are 17 National branches in the African region.
The 13-day programme, he said, is expected to attract 16 Commonwealth countries with over 600 delegates.
He called on the people of the state to show their hospitality to the delegates during their stay throughout the conference.
In another development, a member, representing Akuku-Toru State Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Onari Brown, says the conference will provide opportunity for the people in the state to show case the potential of their cultural heritage.
Apart from the showcasing of tourism potentials in Rivers State, he said, the conference will correct the impression that the state cannot provide the enabling peaceful environment to investors in this region, taunted as the hub of oil and gas industry.
Hon. Brown made this known during an interactive session with House of Assembly correspondents shortly before the conference kick-off in Port Harcourt.
The legislator also chairman, House committee on information, explained that the historic conference will afford legislators the cross fertilization of ideas on challenges, hope, aspiration and democratic ideal in the region.

Member representing Akuku-Toru I Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Brown Onari (right) and his Asari-Toru II counterpart, Hon. Ibinabo Michael-West, going through a document during a deliberation in the House chambers in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: King Osila.
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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