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‘PDP ’II Retain S’South’
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says governors and leaders would do everything legal to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), retains the South-South geo-political zone in the next round of elections.
Wike made the declaration at the 2016 South-South Zonal Congress of the party held Saturday in Port Harcourt, with Elder Emmanuel Ogidi (Delta State) emerging as the national vice chairman (South-South).
Ogidi replaces Dr Cairo Ojougboh, whose tenure ended on Saturday after the dissolution of the Zonal Executive.
Addressing the South-South PDP Zonal Congress, Wike stressed that the governors will provide the required support to PDP members in Edo State to ensure the party wins the governorship election in September.
Wike spoke on behalf of the PDP governors of the zone.
He said: “The South-South Governors will make sure that PDP retains the zone. All the governors in the zone will work as a family.
“We shall give all necessary support to our party members in Edo State for the party to reclaim the state in September”.
The governor said that the National Convention of the party would be successfully held on May 21 in Port Harcourt, pointing out that the ranting of deflated politicians on sponsored television programmes would serve no purpose.
“The PDP Governors and leaders of the zone support the National Convention, which will hold successfully on May 21”, he said.
He said those issuing press statements on the National Convention were only struggling to be relevant because they know the strength of the party ahead of the next elections.
The governor explained that South-South PDP Governors have all proven to be high-class performers, having delivered on the developmental programmes of the party.
Wike called on PDP members to remain united in the zone, as that was the only way they can consolidate on their successes.
In his remarks, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the rerun elections in Rivers and other states.
Akpabio, added that South-South PDP National Assembly members worked hard to ensure that the Calabar-Lagos rail line was included in the 2016 budget.
The former Akwa Ibom governor said that Nigerians were now yearning for PDP to return to power because they have discovered that the party served them faithfully.
Also speaking, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, berated the Muhammadu Buhari -led administration for failing the Nigerian people.
Highpoint of the Zonal Congress was the successful election of the new executives of the party drawn from the six states of the zone.
In his post-election address, National Vice Chairman (South-South), Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, pledged to work as a committed and loyal servant to the party.
Those in attendance included: Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Prof Ben Ayade (Cross River); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).
Also in attendance were: Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; and Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Leo Ogor.
Meanwhile, the former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark has urged the newly elected executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North-Central zone to reclaim the zone for the party in 2019.
Mark gave them the task at the party’s North Central zonal congress held on Saturday in Abuja.
He said that both the party leaders and members in the zone must sacrifice individual interest and work in unity to lead PDP in north central and other zones to victory in future elections.
“The North Central use to be the hub and centre of PDP, unfortunately in the 2015 elections we lost and there is no PDP governor in the zone as we speak.
“We have realised our mistakes and we will correct them. Once those mistakes are corrected we will win all our elections.
“So far all the re-run that have been done PDP has won them. I think this is a track record and the only thing left is that we need to work a little more.
“The party must now stand united. Our strength is in our unity and our weakness will be if we divide ourselves and we will not be divided.
“We must subject our individual interest to party interest within the zone. That is the only way we can make progress,’’ Mark said.
He added that what gave him joy was that anytime PDP gathered “there is so much enthusiasm, interest and desires” as Nigerians now realised that “PDP is the right party to be in government.”
“We will exercise patient in any election that is done now and in the next three years I can assure you that PDP will win convincingly,’’ Mark added.
Our correspondent reports that all the new zonal executives of the party were elected by consensus.
Some of the elected zonal executives are Mr Theophilus Shan (Zonal Chairman); Mr Mourice Tsar (Zonal Secretary), and Mr Joel Adagadzu (Zonal Organising Secretary).
Sen. Philip Aduda, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said it was commendable that the party was able to arrive at consensus on all the elected offices.
“This is important as it will put the party on the path of victory in future elections,” Aduda said.
The PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Victor Kwon, who administered oath of office on the newly elected officials of the zone, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the congress.
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.