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Rivers PDP Congress: ‘Ake, An Exemplary Leader’
The Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has described the re-elected state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Godspower Ake as an exemplary leader, whose sterling qualities have enhanced the electoral value of the party in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the remarks at the 2012 state congress of the party which took place at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt,on Saturday.
Represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, the state chief executive congratulated the out-going executives of the party for successfully piloting its affairs in the past years, noting that the outstanding performance of the party in past elections was a testament to the way party affairs were conducted.
He thanked all the outgoing party executive for their contributions to the success of the party, saying “those of them that were not returned will not be forgotten as their good works will always speak for them.
Governor Amaechi called on the in-coming party executives to work harder in building on the achievements of the past four years to deliver a better, robust, and united party that would ensure the deliverance of the dividends of democracy to the people.
Of the 984 accredited delegates at the party congress conducted by Mr Steve Emelieze, and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Ake, polled 777 votes out of 824 to emerge state chairman, alongside Senibo Dagogo Legg-Jack, Deputy state chairman, and Barr Adokiye Oruwari, state Secretary in a 29 member executive of the party for the next four years.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Ake thanked party faithfuls in the state for the confidence reposed in his executives that had seen the party winning all elective positions contested for in the state in the past four years.
He called on the new executives to work harder than the outgone exco to ensure that the PDP continues in its winning ways in the next four years.
Also speaking, the state Deputy chairman, Mr Legg-Jack thanked Governor Amaechi for being supportive to the party, ‘as much support has been translated into a peaceful congress witnessed today”.
In a related development, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) last Saturday held its state congress across the country in a peaceful manner, with some states returning candidates through consensus.
In Kaduna, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the successful conduct of PDP congress in Kaduna State was a clear demonstration of the party’s focus towards delivering good governance.
The Vice-President who spoke during the PDP congress in Kaduna last Saturday congratulated the newly elected officials, saying the party was committed to implementing the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
He urged the elected officials to work as a team to promote the party’s virtues and ensure sincere representation of the people who voted for them.
Amb. Nuhu Audu, the newly elected chairman of the party in Kaduna , said the new officials would ensure justice and equity in carrying out their mandate.
In Sokoto State, the 29-member state executives of the PDP were returned unopposed.
The election was presided over by a five-man congress committee from the PDP national secretariat, headed by Chief Sergeant Awuse.
Wamakko commended the delegates for the orderly and peaceful congress, saying there had been absolute respect and trust between the followers and leadership of the party in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman commended members of the party for the confidence reposed in him.
Waziri urged the people of the state to pray fervently for Nigeria, saying it is in dire need of prayers.
In Dutse, capital of Jigawa State, the party elected its new officials by consensus arrangement without any contest.
The former state commissioner for Economic and Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Salisu Mahmuda, was elected chairman of the party while former Special Adviser to Gov. Sule Lamido on Personal Matters, Alhaji Aliyu Gantsa, was elected secretary.
In Asaba, Delta, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, state chairman of the PDP was returned unopposed Chief Solomon Ogba, secretary of the party; Chief Arthur Akpowowo, youth leader and Chief Edwin Uzor, state auditor of the party were also returned unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, Nwaoboshi thanked the delegates and other party members for another opportunity to serve.
Meanwhile, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has appealed to citizens of the state not to overheat the political system.
He urged all to sustain the new spirit of unity as no meaningful development could be achieved in a chaotic and rancorous atmosphere.
In Makurdi, Benue State, elections into various executive offices of the PDP commenced with newsmen barred from the venue.
They advised the delegates to put aside sentiments and work for the good of the party in particular and the state in general.
In Awka, Anambra State, the state Police Command, cordoned off St. Augustine Anglican Church, Amawbia, near Awka, stopping the conduct of PDP congress in the state.
In Jos, Plateau State accreditation for the PDP state congress commenced at about 11.30 a.m. amidst tight security.
The Tide reports that there was heavy presence of security operatives at the various centres.
In Gombe, Mr Jack Gumpy, was re-elected chairman of the party.
Our correspondent reports that the congress which was based on consensus, also had Alhaji Nasiru Gwani as Vice Chairman and Alhaji Abubakar Shanu as Secretary.
In Enugu, all the 29 executive officers, including two women, were returned unopposed.
The Tide correspondent reports that former chairman, Mr Vita Abba, was re-elected while Mr Steve Oruruo was returned as the secretary.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu described the congress as the “best organised in the country’’.
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight that Rivers children are well behaved, and has admonished them to remain supportive of their parents while striving always to make a difference wherever they find themselves.
Lady Fubara gave the counsel at the 2024 Christmas Children Party, attended by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, including non-indigenes, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Christmas Children Party also witnessed the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who stopped over to share moments with them, walking from one canopy to another, waving at them, and at other times, shaking hands with them to leave lasting memories on them.
The Rivers First Lady pointed to the importance of the celebration of Christmas, which draws attention to the birth of Jesus Christ, demanding that people have a deep reflection of the love that is demonstrated and mission of the birth, which is to redeem mankind.
Lady Fubara recalled how she took out time to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where she appreciated God for safe delivery of children born on Christmas day while felicitating with the nursing mothers.
She also stated the valuable time spent with motherless babies when she visited the Port Harcourt Children’s Home in Borikiri, old Port Harcourt Township, and celebrated their meekness, innocence and the beauty they bring to the world.
She said, “Even today, as we continue the celebration, efforts were made to extend invitation to our children in all the 23 local government areas of our State. In doing this, children from all classes of society, including the physically challenged, have been offered the opportunity to sit together as brothers and sisters, play, eat and dance.
“Whilst contemplating the uniqueness of celebrating Christmas on a Boxing Day, steps were equally taken to provide gifts for the children who are there, and also to pray for them, a qualitative fun session that will last in their memories.”
Lady Fubara advised all children in the State to remember that Jesus came into the world to make a difference, advising that they must emulate him so that they can positively impact their families and society.
She urged them to pray fervently to God to bless and prosper their mothers, daddies, aunties and uncles to better cater to their needs.
She added, “Be humble, obedient and supportive at home. Do household chores, and don’t forget to make excellent grades in school next academic session. Children are the joy of every home, and we are glad to have beautiful, well-behaved children in Rivers State.
“Thank you all for witnessing this 2024 Children’s Party, and I pray God Almighty to protect, shield and keep you safe from all negative companies in the name of Jesus. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025. God bless you all,” she said.
Lady Fubara expressed appreciation to her husband and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his absolute commitment to the growth of children, and the immeasurable support that ensured that Christmas Children Party was a success.
There were performances by Virtue Dancers, Kalabari Iria dancers, Wonder Time Children of Opobo Kingdom, Children of Rivers State Council of Arts and Culture, Diseye the Poet and DJ Arnold.