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Kattey: Police Debunk N10m Ransom Demand
Amidst rumours that kidnappers of Archbishop Ignatius Kattey are demanding for a N10million ransom for his release, the Rivers State police command says it is unaware of the purported demand.
The command’s spokesperson, Mrs Angela Agabe, who denied the rumour in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt yesterday also said that no contact had been established with the kidnappers.
She said that men of the command were combing every nooks and crannies of the state in search of the kidnapped Bishop, adding that for now, no communication with the kidnappers has been made.
In her word, “our men are just coming out from the mangrove but no contact yet”, she said.
Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North was kidnapped last Friday along the Aleto bridge on the East-West Road in Eleme Local Government Area, and taken to unknown destination.
Meanwhile, the Diocesan Men’s Christian Association, Diocese of Niger Delta North says divine intervention is the only solution for the present circumstances.
In a prayer session to invoke divine intervention on the issue yesterday, the association wondered why unknown gunmen would lay their hands on a man of God.
The association’s chaplain, Rev Joshua Daminabo, the President of the association, Sir Chuks Boms and Acting Secretary, Mr Sampson Akani, who led the prayer sessions, reminded the abductors that their act was against God and His church.
They also reminded the abductors that no gate of wickedness or criminality could prevail against the church of God and Christian believers.
While describing the incident as unfortunate and insult to God, the association appealed to all and sundry to remain prayerful for the safety and unconditional release of Kattey.
The men also prayed for the peace of the state and the nation as a whole even as they enjoined perpetrators of criminality to repent and seek the face of God.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that Nigeria would overcome the threat of terrorism, and called on all faithfuls in the country to be prayerful.
Jonathan, who made the call in a Standing Committee Meeting organised by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, in Yenagoa described terrorism as a challenge to nation building.
“We will win the war against terrorism; Nigeria is a loving country and no religion in the country preaches destruction of life and property.
“My administration will continue to secure citizens’ life and ensure that crime is curtailed,” Jonathan said.
In his address, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, said the programme in the state was a welcome development, and solicited for prayers for the country.
“I thank Nigerians for their prayers and support to government, I urge you to keep faith and contribute your quota in the transformation of the country.
“I must say that Bayelsa is a home for all, secure and safe; I urge all citizens in the country to embrace peace and love,” Dickson said.
In his remark, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Primate of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, commended the president, saying that the church would continue to support the government.
Okoh said that the programme, which was tagged: “Put on the Whole Amour of God’’, was to strengthen the faith of Nigerians.
“We should put on the amour of God because His amour will always stand for us against every evil machination of the enemy,” Okoh said.
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.
