Politics
Group To Launch Jonathan Presidential Bid Project, July 6
Movement for he Actualisation of South-South Presidency (MASSPRES) says it will launch its GOOD LUCK NIGERIA PROJECT in Port Harcourt on July 6, 2010. the event which will take place at the Port Harcourt Civic Centre auditorium is part of a South-South week planned by the body.
National Chairman of MASSPRE, Comrade Afiesimama Sokari, who stated this in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt at the weekend said the Goodluck Nigeria Project was aimed at ensuring that President Goodluck Jonathan contests and wins the 2011 Presidential election.
Sokari explained that MASSPRE was divinely inspired in 2006 and the progress of President Goodluck Jonathan on the nation’s political scene confirms that he is the South-South President God wants to use to consolidate Nigeria’s unity.
The MASSPRE National Chairman said the Goodluck Nigeria programme will be marked with a two million men inter-religious fasting and prayer session by which Christians and Muslims will seek divine support for the project.
Already, the movement is networking with South-South indigenes in the diaspora and Nigerians in the five geo-political zones of the country as well as the South-South people in other geo-political zones to mobilise support for the success of the project.
According to Sokari, the opening, ceremony of the South-South week, scheduled for July 5, will feature a symposium while the final day of the three-day event will featuee a special thanksgiving and a black gold prestigious award. He said MASSPRE has commenced its membership drive and lobby for partnership with other geo-political zones while a fund-raising dinner for the Good Luck Nigeria will be part of the event.
MASSPRE is also undertaking a one-man-one-vote sensitization campaign across local governments and states of the country. Sokari however called on all South-South peoples, the entire Niger Delta Region and governors of the states of the region in particular, to support the Good Luck Nigeria Project.
Also speaking, the South-South Co-ordinator of MASSPRE, Col. G.P. Okiki (Rtd.) said the movement was committed to enlisting President Jonathan to contest the 2011 election because God is already using him to unite Nigeria.
He therefore advised Nigerians to support the project to enable it succeed because, according to him, “Jonathan will not disappoint Nigerians because he has the fear of God”.
Donald Mike- Jaja
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby