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Peterside Gets Andoni Chiefs,KORAN’s Endorsement
In an effort to bring traditional rulers and chiefs of Andoni Kingdom up to speed with political developments in Nigeria, the chairman, Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, himself an Andoni chief has met his colleagues ahead of next month’s election.
Ikanya, who was accompanied on the solidarity visit by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State spoke extensively on matters of development, candidates for the election, parties and Nigeria’s two critical elections slated for 14 and 28 February 2015.
Ikanya, described the last six years of Nigeria under the watch of a fellow Ijaw and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as horrifying for the people of Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to the APC chieftain, the highpoints of the ignoble era included the criminal deregulation of petroleum products, the nine months strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the worsening unemployment situation, the immigration scam that shook the nation, the seizure of Rivers State oil wells, the intimidation and subjugation of government and people of Rivers State by Abuja and other infractions that characterised the last six years under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The chairman said “What exactly did we do to them? If they were quarrelling with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi were they also quarrelling with the entire people of Rivers State? See how the man who lived here paid us back”.
”Apart from the intimidation, it also got to a time when we all agreed that our next governor must come from another part of Rivers State in the principle of rotation. But our brother joined hands with our oppressors to frustrate our Riverine aspiration and to deny us our heritage. But God gave us Peterside to console us. I want to say right away that a good friend is better than a bad brother. So we must support General Muhammadu Buhari because he has promised to assuage our pain”.
Ikanya, who described Peterside as a candidate of liberation, both for the Andoni and the people of Rivers State warned his people to reject Jonathan and the PDP because even the South-South region were Jonathan hails from is worse off today than it was 2009.
On his part, Peterside promised to create wealth and jobs for the unemployed, not only in Andoni Local Government but across Rivers State, just as he also promised to establish cooperatives, encourage deep fishing and address erosion issues, among other things.
A total of 54 Andoni chiefs, who attended the session, prayed for and blessed Peterside, describing him as a worthy brother and dependable representative.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has lauded Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (KORAN) for their industry.
Peterside, who made the commendation at Elelenwo during a visit, said his government will pay special attention to the needs of KORAN because the association is engaging idle hands by providing employment opportunities to Nigerians.
He said ”Your job is very important to us because without you there would have been serious transport chaos in our communities. Keke gives over 5,000 persons job. If these jobs were not available, this probably would have translated to 5,000 idle hands and we all know the consequences. I know that some of you are graduates, yet you have decided to do this job to help yourselves and your families so that you can stay off crime.
”I will assist you because I know you have challenges. When we come to government in May, we will sit with you and tackle all the challenges.”
Peterside also addressed the issue of multiple taxation, describing it as unfair and unacceptable. He described the extortion and intimidation of Keke operators as inhuman but promised to sit with them after the election to see to the end of all the infractions.
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.