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Obuah Lauds Wike’s Prudent Resource Management
The Paramount Ruler of Go-Round Community nationwide and Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has described Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as a divine gift to the state and prudent manager of resources.
Obuah, who stated this while speaking at the annual Interactive/Cultural Fiesta organized by Go-Round Community, Mba and Chief Mike Elechi Support Groups at the Vintage Farms and Products Limited, Elele, last Friday, said the governor was doggedly steering the ship of Rivers State on the right path despite the current economic recession in the country.
The Go-Round Community leader, who is also chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said Rivers people would continue to admire Wike because of what he called, “his uncanny wisdom in resource management”.
He noted that Wike’s success in governance lies in the fact that he has not come, as he put it, to steal, like his predecessor did.
“Governor Wike has not come to explore and impact as others are doing. He has used the little resources at his disposal to impact on the society, and that is why he has been referred to as ‘Mr. Projects’.
“That is why we continue to stress that if you put a righteous man in authority, the people will always rejoice. Rivers people are rejoicing because Nyesom Wike is in authority”, Obuah, who is popularly called ‘Mba Anabara Agu 1 of Orashi Region’, said.
Obuah, who is also the sole administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) said the best way to reciprocate the good gestures of the state governor was to give him maximum support which would spur him to more action.
He described the Go-Round, Mba and Chief Mike Elechi Cultural Festival as a humble contribution towards promoting the rich cultures of Rivers State, adding that the carnival was always anchored on traditional dancing, wrestling and showcasing native dressing.
With 21 cannon salutes to herald Obuah’s arrival with his entourage into the arena, the cultural competition brought out the best of displays from over 20 groups across the state.
After a scintillating performance by Happiness Entertainment Group of Port Harcourt, the ladies who emerged overall best, ran away with the biggest prize of N500,000.00.
The second best group, Pharaohs Cultural Troupe from Isiokpo, received a cash reward of N300,000.00 while Destiny Group, who trilled the audience with their rendition using acoustic xylophone, finished third and smiled home with N200,000.00.
The wrestling contest provided the highlight of the event as four groups vied for the N500,000.00 cash prize.
With the famous Hon. Ayala National Wrestling Group squaring up against three others, spectators who included commissioners, special advisers, Rivers State House of Assembly members and other dignitaries got a full doze of raw traditional wrestling.
It was a case of the biblical David and Goliath as pint-sized, Bayelsa-born Amas Daniel stunned the ‘great’ Ikwerre Amateur champion, Increase Aso Akelechi with an unbelievable throw that saw his back flattened on the ground.
He went home with N300,000 while Aso got N200,000.00.
The third prize of N100,000.00 went to Progress Godswill Benson, a student of University of Port Harcourt.
There was also a mouth-watering cash splash to various groups who participated in the rally session.
Earlier in his address, Obua Weze III and Eze Nkwe Mmegbe of Omenele, Sir Mike Elechi, said he was driven by what he called a synergy of purpose with the Paramount Ruler of Go-Round Community, Bro. Felix Obuah to organize the event in order to share knowledge with friends, party members and community leaders in the two LGAs of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ikwerre.
“Our choice of business environment is a plus to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s (Mr. Project) quest to evenly develop the state.
“Rather than operating from Port Harcourt, Abuja or Lagos, we decided to add value to our local government and our local people”, he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Chief David Briggs said the event was most significant as it makes a bold attempt to revive the ailing culture of the people.
“In dancing, dressing and even the way our people speak, suggest a depreciation of cultures. I thank God for what Mba Anabara Agu and Chief Mike Elechi are doing to reawaken the cultural importance of our people”, he said, and urged others to emulate them.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide said culture brings love, togetherness and happiness, adding that these values were what Governor Nyesom Wike was pursuing with vigour to bring peace and development to people of the state.
She said it was for that reason that the ministry has, in conjunction with the sponsors of the event, packaged the Go-Round Community, Mba and Chief Mike Elechi Cultural Festival, assuring that the state government would continue to partner with similar organizations to sustain the cultural legacies of our forefathers.
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.