News
Egbeda In EMOLGA Political Equation
Egbeda community is one of the major towns that make up Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State. It is large, and populous.
The community through the co-ordinator of EMOLGA Youths Democratic Network, Comrade Obinna Victor has cried out over the zoning formula and the marginalisation in the political arrangements of the local government since its creation in 1991.
In one of their quests for succour and political remedy to their protracted demand for equitable distribution of allocation of positions in EMOLGA politics, a delegation was sent to a political stalwart and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in EMOLGA, Hon. Andrew Uchendu who is also a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikwerre/Emohua Constituency for an opportunity to produce the next local government chairman in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
Prior to this time, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as the Movement for the Actualisation of a Crime-free Society (MACS) had written a letter to the state governor to consider Egbeda people in elective positions and political appointments. The alleged political marginalisation of Egbeda people came to fore in the council chairman’s recent appointments that did not consider any Egbeda indigene worthy of being a supervisory councillor or special adviser.
However, having in mind that when a child is pointing at a particular place while crying, the presumption suffices that if the mother is not there, probably the father is there. This is why the leadership of Emolga Youths Democratic Network (EYDN) in its scrutiny of the political positions of Emolga specifically as it affects the chairmanship of the council observed that since the creation of the local government nineteen years ago, virtually all the towns that make-up the LGA have had fair share as seen below.
Ogbakiri Clan: Ogbakiri is one of densely populated areas that make-up the LGA. Its sons Hon. Maclord Amamina, Hon. Paul Wonodi; Hon. Emmanuel Chinda and Hon. Sam Oge; had been council chairmen.
Emohua:- Emohua Clan which plays host as the headquarters of the LGA is currently holding the position as the incumbent executive chairman of Emolga through Emeka Woke for two consecutive times now.
Odegu: This town produced the first chairman in 1991 and had Hon Godspower Manjor and Hon. Chima Bob Okala.
Ibaa: Ibaa and Obele as popularly known had had their share for two times through Hon. Jonah Wobodo who was the second executive chairman of the LGA and Hon Allwell Igbor.
Rundele:- Ndele had at least once occupied the position of chairman through Hon. Demian Ejiowhor.
Elele Alimini:- It has produced an executive chairman of the council through Hon. Emmanuel Wonodi.
Akpabu/Itu: Is yet to have a taste of the juicy office. But there is no doubt that Akpabu/Itu area had taken and is still reaping, from the political honey pot of the LGA through the ebullient Chidi Iloyd in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Omudioga: It would be very expedient and pertinent to posit that out of the unstable and turbulent political interest cum politically motivated inequitable zoning formula associated with EMOLGA politics, Omudioga was able to struggle out their own share of the LGA’s cake through Hon Syder Nnodim who served as member Federal House of Representatives.
Ubimini:- This community is not left out in the occupation of the number one seat in the LGA. Ubimini had taken their share through Hon. Allen Nma who is currently the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in EMOLGA.
Having traced the political cum leadership history of EMOLGA, it leaves us with no doubt that Egbeda community is agitating for a just cause. It is obvious that the precarious state of the political interest of Egbeda community is not far from the zoning formula and its inhibiting factors therefore, equity demands that Egbeda son should be the next council boss.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.