Politics
Amaechi Tasks Traditional Rulers On Ebola
The onslaught on Ebola virus scourge dominated most
part of activities in government house last week. Governor Chibuike Amaechi had a week before visited the Ebola Isolation Centre at Oduoha in Emohua Local Government Area before travelling for official duties outside the state.
On returning to the state on Tuesday in Port Harcourt he spoke to newsmen at the airport during which he enumerated various steps taken by government to check the menace of Ebola disease. He assured that the state government was on top of the situation and is bent on expending resources to bring the disease under control.
Shortly after arriving Governor Amaechi played host to World Health Organisation (WHO) officials led by country Representative, Rui Vaz at Government House, Port Harcourt while welcoming the WHO representative, Governor Amaechi disclosed that the state government has approved N300 million to the Ministry of Health to combat the scourge.
He, however, admitted that the money will not be enough, but promised to release more fund to make sure logistics and equipment are provided for the medical team to achieve success.
Governor Amaechi on Wednesday presided over the monthly Inter Governmental meeting during which policies and programme and discussed. Few hours after the inter-governmental meeting. Amaechi played host to religious and traditional leaders in the state to sensitise them on the Ebola Virus outbreak.
The governor called on over 1,000 religious and traditional rulers to assist government in the fight against Ebola.
The governor said, “We are discouraging people who have Ebola from going to church. You know why? Church is a place that you have a large crowd of people. If you touch one person or two persons, you are contaminating the environment and the people, and they get infected. If you suspect, don’t stigmatise them, called the Ebola line, will come there”.
He also urged religious leaders to preach about the disease in their churches and mosques, as well as traditional rulers in their various communities. He urged them to encourage those under them to imbibe healthy living styles, and wash their hands regularly.
Early in the week however, the All Progressives Congress (APC) lashed at those behind the molestation and arrest of Caretaker Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Wogu. He briefed newsmen in Government House on Sunday last week.
He was arrested a week ago by men of Swift Armed Robbery (SARS) team at his house for allegedly ordering a police orderly to shoot at the a banner carrying the picture of President Goodluck Jonathan.
State Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone said the arrest and detention of Hon. Wogu was orchestrated and planned by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain’s in Omuma led by Kelechi Wogu, a member of the State House of Assembly.
Mr. Finebone said members of the APC have become “endangered Species” because they are supporters of Governor Amaechi and vowed that the party will not be cowed by the antics of the PDP.
Hon. Wogu informed government house reporters that he is consulting with his lawyers on the next step to take in order to get redress, maintaining that no amount of intimidation will stop him from giving good governance to the people.
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