News
Good Governace: Anglican Bishops Plan Thanksgiving For Wike …As Monarchs Assure Synergy With Security Agencies
Anglican Dioceses in Rivers State have said that Governor Nyesom Wike sterling performances in the first four years of his administration was the reason behind its proposed thanksgiving service for the governor and his deputy this Sunday.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Rt Rev. Tubokosemie R. Abere who is the leader of the Anglican Bishops in Rivers State said that the service which holds this Sunday at the St Paul’s Cathedral Diobu Port Harcourt will also be used to thank God for the return of peace to the state after the general election.
“The purpose is to thank God for many of His mercies and favours on Rivers State.
Moreso, the successful first tenure of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Deputy Governor, Dame Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo”.
Bishop Abere listed the achievements of Governor Wike to include peaceful governance in the first tenure, construction and development of infrastructures in the state, and expansion of major roads and construction of internal roads.
The dioceses also listed other achievements to include; improvement on the educational institution, introduction of college of medicine at the Rivers State University, introduction of more polytechnic campuses amongst others.
Also speaking, chairman of the thanksgiving organising committee who is also the Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu said that the Anglican Communion in Rivers State is proud of Governor Wike and his Deputy Ipalibo Harry Banigo both of who are faithfuls of the Anglican Church.
Bishop Ordu said that the service will be attended by all senior \clergies of the eight dioceses in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Bishop Diocese of Etche, Rt Rev. Okechukwu Nwala said that Governor Wike has shown great commitment in the development at churches adding that the event is to celebrate God’s goodness in the victory he granted to Governor Wike and his deputy Ipalibo Harry Banigo.
The briefing was attended by Rt Rev Ralph Ebirien of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Wisdom Budu Ihunwo of Diocese of Niger Delta North, Tubo Abere of Diocese of Okrika and Solomon Enyindah of the Diocese of Ikwerre.
Also in attendance were Rt Rev Clement Ekpeye of Diocese of Ahoada and Gberegbara of the Diocese of Ogoni
Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Rivers State under the aegis of “Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council/Chiefs”, have expressed determination to synergise with security operatives to step up surveillance on coastal communities.
The Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town and Chairman of the council, King Aaron Ikuru, made the assertion after a thanksgiving service at St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The service was to thank God for the released Lebanese construction workers abducted in Andoni territory.
Ikuru, on behalf of the council, assured the people that the area would no longer be a safe haven for criminals as there were redoubled synergy with relevant security agencies, a strategy aimed at tackling kidnapping and other criminalities in the area.
It would be recalled that three Lebanese construction workers who were kidnapped on site in Andoni Local Government Area had regained freedom.
While in their abductors’ nest, the state government had threatened to dethrone traditional rulers of the area if the foreigners were not released.
The paramount ruler said that consequently, the security agencies in collaboration with traditional rulers in the area worked in synergy until they were released after two weeks.
“We are advising our youths, especially those ones who call themselves militants to retrace their steps and return to the fold.
“For those of them who are willing to surrender their arms to the local government council, such ones will be entitled to an immediate reward.
“And for those strangers who sneak into Andoni through our coast, they should know it’s no longer business as usual because the state government is very worried and more than ever before.
“The search light is now beamed on Andoni, so any body aiding or abetting any form of crime in this area should desist forthwith.
“We are now abreast with their tactics, remember that when men have learnt how to shoot without missing, the birds learn how to fly without perching.
“This time around, the state government is ready to take the war against insecurity to all nooks and cranny of the state and we won’t relent in assisting to achieve success in this laudable initiative.
“For those of them who are indigenes of Andoni, we strongly advice them to change their ways or relocate because those people they call their friends have already exposed them by way of information, so this place is no longer safe for kidnappers,” he said.
The paramount ruler thanked security operatives, the state, local government and well meaning people of Andoni for their support, especially on intelligence gathering.
He called on the state government to ensure completion of the road project which, he described, as pivotal to the economy of the area.
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.