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Wike’s Feats In Governance Excite Emeh …As Opobo People Celebrate Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has been commended for recording another milestone and demonstrating his love for his people in particular, and the overall development of Rivers State by urging the United States of America to open a visa office in Port Harcourt.
The commendation was made by former Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, in a chat with newsmen at the banquet held in honour of US Ambassador to Nigeria in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Chief Emeh, who noted that the governor’s request was a further demonstration that he was a politician with a large heart, and a nationalist, considering that the visa office will not only serve Rivers State but will also cater for applicants from the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The former Commissioner for Transport called on Rivers people to continue to reciprocate the unparallel achievements of the governor and give him support.
It would be recalled that Wike, at a reception held in honour of the United States Ambassador, Mr William Symington and his team had passionately requested for the establishment of a US visa office in Port Harcourt, stressing that such decision by the US office will in no small measure reduce the sufferings of applicants in this region in going to Abuja and Lagos for visa interviews.
Wike also told the visiting Ambassador of the United States of America that a visa office in Port Harcourt will not only yield income to the United States but will also strengthen relationships between the US and the oil rich Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Emeh, a political strategist and lawyer invited people from all walks of life to come and live, as well as do business in Rivers State, assuring that the Wike-led administration has created an enabling environment for investors to do lawful and profitable business in the state.
He described stories of insecurity in the state as exaggerated, and sponsored by opposition politicians to discredit the Peoples Democratic Party-led government under Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, insisting that the alleged insecurity only exists in the evil imagination of misguided politicians.
In a related development, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh has told 97 new decampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who were in his Port Harcourt residence to declare their support for Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State that the governor was running an all inclusive administration.
The political strategist assured the new decampees that they will be treated as equal stakeholders in the PDP, adding that a formal reception will be arranged for them in the next couple of weeks.
Earlier, spokesperson for the decampees, Elder Ezekiel Oko-Jaja, had thanked Chief Emeh Glory Emeh for the warm reception, and promised to be loyal to the leadership of the party in the state.
Meanwhile, residents of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area have said that the administration of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike is worth celebrating.
They said this to newsmen at Opobo Town while expressing their happiness over the numerous developmental achievements of the governor, maintaining that a study to assess Wike’s performance in two years revealed that it surpassed what former All Progressives Congress (APC) led-administration bequeathed to the people in eight years.
A university lecturer, Dr. Charlton Reuben Pepple, said that Rivers State under Wike has been transformed in every facets of the economy.
He enumerated the achievements that were on ground, saying, “it is heart-warming that the yearnings and aspirations of Rivers people have been met with the people-oriented policies and programmes of his administration.”
In his contribution, a youth leader and President General of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in the state, the United Brothers’ of Opobo Kingdom (UBOK), Hon. Mike Fubara, affirmed his group’s confidence that Wike will fulfill his promise to transform all sectors and provide jobs for the people of Rivers State before the end of the first tenure on May 29, 2019.
He further advised Rivers people not to relent in their support to the administration, in its quest to reposition the state.
Bethel Toby
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.