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Eid-el-Maulud: Wike, Banigo Task Muslims On Tolerance
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on the Moslem community in the state to use the celebration of the Eid-el-Maulud, birth of Prophet Mohammed, to advance the cause of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Rivers State Governor, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor said that his administration would continue to promote religious tolerance amongst all residents of the state.
Wike advised the Moslem faithful to imbibe the virtues of love, peace, communal living and honesty, which were qualities of Prophet Mohammed, in their daily lives.
While wishing the Moslem community a wonderful Eid-el-Maulud celebration, the governor urged them to always pray for the government and people of the state.
Similarly, as Muslims across the globe celebrate the 2020 Eid-el-Maulud, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has felicitated with the Muslim faithful in the state.
In a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, Banigo urged Muslims to continue to live peacefully with their Christian neighbours, noting that the Rivers State Government under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike would continue to provide the enabling environment for all residents to have a sense of belonging, irrespective of clime or creed.
She wished all the Muslim faithful a happy celebration of Prophet Muhammed’s birthday.
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari, urged Muslims all over the world to embrace honesty, generosity and kindness during the celebration of Eid-el-Maulud.
The President made the call in a statement released via his official Twitter account, yesterday.
According to him, the celebration of the Eid-el-Maulud is a time to rededicate oneself to showing love and understanding to one another.
“As Muslims all over the world mark Eid-el-Maulud, I urge us all to use the occasion to rededicate ourselves to showing love and understanding to one another.
“I urge that we exhibit patience, honesty, sincerity, kindness and generosity in all our undertakings,” the President said.
However, the Northern Governors Forum urged Muslims in Nigeria to reflect on the virtues of love, tolerance, understanding and honesty as they join others all over the world to mark the Eid-el-Maulud celebration.
In a statement, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, called on all Muslims to use the occasion and reflect on the virtues of love, tolerance and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet.
Lalong also asked for sober reflection among Nigerians saying the current situation in the country calls for patience, understanding, honesty, sincerity, kindness and collaboration in overcoming various challenges.
He said the forum continues to crave the prayers of all Nigerians for wisdom and guidance to enable them serve the people with the best intentions and visionary programmes that would alleviate poverty and improve the living conditions of the people.
The governor called for calm from events of recent past, assuring that the government was doing all that is necessary to address the issues raised by Nigerian youths.
He appealed to the youths to resist the temptation of engaging in destruction properties which only retards development.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Rep. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe congratulated Muslims across the world, urging all to embrace peace.
Akande-Sadipe’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan, yesterday by her Media Aide, Olamilekan Olusada.
She represents Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State.
Akande-Sadipe called on Muslims across the country not to relent in their prayers for the unity and progress of the country, particularly at trying periods like being experienced.
She urged all Nigerians to emulate the peaceful and humble attributes of Prophet Muhammad, saying that such would guarantee a better country for all.
“As we celebrate in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters across the world, especially those in my immediate constituency, Oluyole, a blessed celebration.
“Let’s preach peace. Let’s emulate the humility of Holy Prophet Muhammad and pray for the survival of our country.
“I urge you to avoid evil thoughts and sinful behaviour that may hinder our prayers as well as supplications onto Allah,” she said.
Akande-Sadipe said that Nigeria needed prayer to surmount the numerous challenges.
According to her, we need to concentrate on our faith through prayers, while seeking forgiveness and by being there for the needy around us.
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.