Politics
Jonathan’s Emergence, Proof Of Nigerian’s Faith–MAN
Mmebers of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, have described the recent emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) as a restatement of the collective faith of Nigerians in the unity and corporate existence of the country.
The victory, according to them, was enough to motivate Nigerians of voting age to go out and register in the ongoing registration of voter’s which commenced nationwide last Saturday to enable them vote for candidates of their choice during the forthcoming general elections in April this year.
Making their feelings known in a statement signed by chairman of the Association, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, and made available to newsmen in Enugu, the body noted that the PDP presidential primary had come and gone without any form of crisis, stressing however, that the peaceful conclusion of the election had proved wrong naysayers and doubting Thomases who predicted problem.
“We are therefore happy to note that the much talked about PDP Presidential primaries have come and gone without any negative stories or threat to our collective existence as a nation.
“The extent to which the nation’s polity was heated up by the campaigns made doubting Thomases to predict the worst for the country. None of those negative things happened, and to the joy of all, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Namadi Sambo clinched the ticket”, the statement said.
The MAN chairman, expressed the hope that the success of the President in the primaries would prepare him to face and win the approval of Nigerian voters at the general election, saying that the outcome of the general elections in April would go a long way to determine how far Nigeria would fare in its developmental strides.
Nigerians, they went on, are eager to join the rest of the world in celebrating the growth that comes with political stability and democracy, adding that they believe that the forthcoming general elections would chart the pathway for “our national development, and convince the world that the next fifty years would put our country among the stable economies of the industrialised nations. “Jonathan’s emergence as the PDP presidential candidate rekindles the hope that Nigerians are tired of the old ways”, the statement said further.
Dr. Obidigbo used the forum to state that his association would continue to engage governments at all levels to take the issue of manufacturing seriously in order to address the growing unemployment problems in the country. According to him, the prime caused of criminality in the country revolves around unemployment and governance in the past.
“We would therefore, like to use this opportunity to call on President Jonathan to ensure that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, becomes functional as soon as he said possible so as to permanently eradicate the suffering of Eastern business men and travellers’. He explained that being the aerial gateway to the Southeast, the airway is fundamental to the growth of the economy of the entire region.
Obidigbo, also called on the president to do all in his powers to ensure the viability of Port Harcour and Onne ports to provide alternative platforms to decongest the Lagos port, adding that in this era of globalization, whatever could be done to ensure speedy clearance of goods is a step in the right direction.
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