Politics
Wike Tasks Varsities On Skills, Job Creation
The birthday celebration of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Sunday, set the tone for activities in Government House, Port Harcourt, last week as friends and political associates converged in his official residence to felicitate with him and his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike.
Governor Wike used the event to acknowledge God’s benevolence towards him and his family particularly in becoming the Governor of Rivers State.
Noting that in his political journey, he had passed through several persecutions, the Governor said such experiences would not deter him from standing firmly on the part of truth and justice to defend the interest of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who spoke on behalf of the State Executive Council, described Governor Wike as a friend and leader who is focused, vibrant and determined to fulfil his promises to Rivers people.
Governor Wike, who is the visitor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, was at the institution’s 32nd Convocation ceremony held last Tuesday.
In his address, he stressed the need for tertiary institutions in the country to focus on skills and job creation so that graduates would be self reliant .
The Rivers State Chief Executive assured that the state government would do its best to make the institution one of the best , stressing that funds for provision of necessary infrastructure and take off of academic activities in the three new campuses of the university in Etche, Emohua and Ahoada Local Government Areas of the state are already provided in the 2021 budget.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nlerum Okegbule disclosed that a total of 5,486 graduands were certified to be worthy in learning and character while 34 bagged first class..
In a similar vein, the Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to transform the state into the knowledge-base of the country.
Speaking at the 38th Convocation ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt which held last Saturday, Wike said he would ensure that all tertiary institutions were adequately staffed and equipped to enable them to deliver world-class education.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo commended the management for maintaining discipline and high ethical standard in the university.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele disclosed that 3,747 persons graduated and that 205 had PhD, 1,087 had Masters degree, 521 had Postgraduate diploma, 1,934 had Bachelor’s degree while 78 had First Class Honours degree.
Another major event, last week in Brick House was the 2021 Emblem Appeal Fund Launching to mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Governor Wike who donated N20 million to launch the emblem enjoined each of the 23 local government councils in the state to donate N1million in support of the Emblem Appeal Fund Launching.
Governor Wike also used the occasion to redeem the sum of N171million which he pledged to the Nigeria Legion for the scholarship scheme meant for the children of the war veterans.
The Governor stressed the need for government to institute an enduring reward system for war veterans to justify the ultimate sacrifices they made in keeping Nigeria safe and united.
Within the week under review, the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adango, was among the 72 newly sworn in Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Gov Wike led a delegation from the state that attended the inauguration ceremony held last Monday at the Supreme Court , Abuja.
By: Chris Oluoh
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