Politics
‘Wike’s Olive Branch, A Plus For Governance’
Leadership of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in the South-South Zone has hailed Governor Nyesom Wike’s olive branch to opposition political parties in Rivers State, describing it as a good move and a plus for governance.
Chairman of the CLO, South-South Zone, Chinedu Karl Uchegbu stated this on Monday during an exclusive interview with, The Tide in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Uchegbu expressed happiness that already some opposition parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accepted the governor’s peace moves by asking their members to support the incumbent administration to ensure that there is peace in the state; stressing the need to put Rivers State first.
According to him: “That was a very good move. That offer of olive branch is a good start and I hear that some opposition parties have started accepting the olive branch. I have it on good authority that major opposition parties are asking their members to join hands with the Governor to allow him focus and ensure peace in the state.
“It is important that they should put Rivers State first because at the end of the day the whole essence of governance is protection of lives and property and service to the people by delivering democratic dividends.
“When these are done other things will fall naturally into place. So it is a good move and we also believe that the opposition will also continue to do what is required of them by criticizing constructively to keep the government of the day on its toes.
“The whole idea is let us have a peaceful and progressive Rivers State. So I believe it (the olive branch) is a plus for the governor and for governance as well,” the South-South CLO chairman stated.
On his expectations for the Governor as he begins his second term in office, Uchegbu urged the Governor to quickly address the issue of unemployment in the state because according to him, most of the issues of insecurity stems from the lack of jobs.
“Employment is a key issue because insecurity breeds from unemployment amongst youths in Rivers State. All these insecurity problems that we have been talking about stems from joblessness; and further urged the State Government to partner the private sector to create job opportunities.
“Fine government we all know cannot employ everybody. So the State Government should consider partnering private agencies and put mechanisms in place that will boost employment and job creation in the state.
“A good example is Agriculture. The state seems to be lagging behind in the area of Agriculture. Most of the energy we see in streets engaging in crime can be channeled into more productive ventures like Agriculture.
“Rivers State can grow rice because she has the terrain. She produces oil palm and there are many other agricultural produce including fisheries that the state is known for.
“These are some areas the governor needs to quickly look into so that we can have a very good Rivers State as he prepares to kick start his second tenure,” Uchegbu explained.
Dennis Naku
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