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Wike Hails FG On New Enhanced E-Passport
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has commended the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for introducing the Electronic Passport (e-Passport) with 10-year validity, saying it would enable Nigerians acquire long-term visas.
Speaking during the roll-out of the enhanced e-Passport in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike also lauded the service for the improved security features on the new passport.
The governor said: “Let me thank the Nigeria Immigration Service for their giant strides in the area of the Electronic Passport. It will help towards security and other trends.
“The introduction of E-Passport, is indeed, commendable because of its improved security features and other key features of the passport.
“The extension of the validity period is also important as it will allow holders to access lengthy visas. The 10-year passport affords most people the opportunity to have longer visas.”
The governor noted that the requirement that all those seeking to obtain the International Passport must have National Identity Number (NIN) is key.
“The integration with the National Identity Number is very important. It is an innovation which is encouraging,” he said.
He commended the Comptroller-General for taking Port Harcourt first in the commencement of the issuance of e-Passport in the South-South and South-East.
Wike, however, said that the requirement that Nigerians must supply their BVN before obtaining the e-Passport was not necessary.
According to him the inclusion of BVN as a requirement for acquiring the e-passport will deprive children from getting their international passports.
He said: “I was surprised, yesterday, when I was told to bring my Bank Verification Number (BVN). Assuming I have a child, who is one year old, and I want to travel with my child, are you telling me that my child cannot travel, perhaps, because he does not have a bank account?
“I told them, you have my salary account, go and check my BVN. I don’t know how the BVN has become a factor in the issuance of international passport. That is not acceptable. If this is the only way that we can check corruption, then, we have failed.
“As a governor, you know my salary; you know my account, and this can be collected from the Code of Conduct Bureau. It is not hidden”.
The governor advised federal agencies to stop depending on state governments for their operations, adding, “Federal agencies should stop depending fully on state governments for their operations. The responsibility is too enormous.
“Today, you have asked. The police will ask, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will ask, the Army will ask, and other federal agencies will also ask. How are we going to survive”? he said.
He appealed to Rivers people to take advantage of the facility to obtain their international passports.
Wike said: “I want to thank you for this innovation. I know that since you launched it here, I should also do something good, but not today.
“I urge our people to take advantage of this facility to ensure you come to get your international passport. Also, go and register for your National Identity card, it is very important”.
Earlier, the Rivers State Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Segun Adegoke, had said that the essence of the e-Passport was to reposition and improve the passport issuance regime and tailor it towards best global practice.
He said the new regime now offers the options of five years and 10 years validity to save bona-fide Nigerians from frequent visits to replace their passports.
Adegoke disclosed that the service has allowed the present booklet to run concurrently until it is gradually phased out.
He noted that after the enhanced e-passport was issued to President Muhammadu Buhari on January 15, 2019, the service had made efforts to carry out a systematic launch of the passport across the nation.
Also speaking, the Passport Officer, Rivers State Command, A.J. Umoh said that the new e-Passport has new security features like multi-laser image (MLI), pre-printed features, UV light, infrared, laser engraving, Polycarbonate Technology that eliminates damage and forgery, and is International Civil Aviation Organization compliant.
Highpoint of the event was the capturing and presentation of the new e-Passport to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike.
Iragunima Benice
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.