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RSG Unveils Winners Of Int’l Painting Contest
The Rivers State Government has unveiled three winners of an International Painting Competition, who were selected in faraway Dubai, United Arab Emirates for their outstanding performance.
The winners are Mr Dumbor Debeeh, who hails from Gokana Local Government Area of the State; Mr Oscar Taribo Tamgba, a Bachelor of Arts Degree holder in Painting, who hails from Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area; and Mr Samuel Nwankwo, the State Publicity Secretary of the Society of Nigeria Artists (SNA), who has been teaching Fine Art in Port Harcourt for over six years.
As part of the rewards for their outstanding performance in the competition, which had participants drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state, the winners would be travelling to Dubai in a few months’ time under the watch of Mr Diseye Tantua.
The competition was organised by the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) in collaboration with the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing. RSTDA, a parastatal under the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has earmarked a lot of programmes aimed at changing the narrative of the state for the better with a view to building bridges internationally and locally for the state as well as growing the wealth of the State.
Speaking while unveiling the winners at the RSTDA’s Office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, who was visibly elated, expressed delight that the winners had through their outstanding performance showcased their talents to the world and put the state on the global map in the areas of creativity and tourism.
Danagogo, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr George C. Nwaeke said the Covid-19 pandemic has been a blessing in disguise to the state, as it has given it an opportunity to show to the whole world that there are abundant talents in Rivers State.
While thanking the Director General of RSTDA, Mr Yibo Koko for his innovative strides, he said there is the need for parastatals in the state to work with their parent Ministries.
Danagogo thanked Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing for partnering with the state government, saying, “Rivers State is a very important place in Nigeria. We will continue to partner with you.”
In a goodwill message, the Director of International Operations, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Stella Fubara-Obinwa, said Dubai has long been associating with Nigeria, pointing out that several months ago, Dubai wanted to create collaboration with countries and with Nigeria.
According to her, “We got an approval from RSTDA’s Director General to promote arts in Rivers State.”
She noted that the painting competition expected participants to capture Dubai in their artistic eyes, and it was open to the 23 local government areas of the state.
At the end of the day, she said the winners were selected to broaden their horizon and to give them encouragement not necessarily in monetary form, stressing that the lucky winners would be visiting Dubai in months to come.
Fubara-Obinwa further indicated that the winners would be given three icons, one each as supported pieces of technologies to crown their efforts.
While thanking the RSTDA’s Director General and the state government, she said the competition had never been done in any other country, as it was the first of its kind in the world.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide, who described the RSTDA’s director general as the doyen of culture and tourism in the state, congratulated him on the bold initiative and on his efforts in the development of the culture and tourism sector, saying, “We will continue to encourage him. We are proud of him. He is one man that knows his onions.”
Oniyide thanked the partner, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, for involving Rivers State in its projects.
“We are proud of you always,” she said.
In his speech, the Director General of RSTDA, Mr Yibo Koko, said celebrating the colours of the state, rich and progressive diversities to grow a sustainable tourism economy in the state has always been the strategic vehicle of growth that drives the operations of the agency, adding that with the abundant human and material resources in the state, the state has a rich creative space to be explored and exploited by the agency and others in order to create wealth for the state.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communions, Barrister Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo; who represented the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Monday Yaimonay; among others.
The winners, who spoke with newsmen, expressed delight for emerging winners, saying the competition had made their dreams of excelling in their chosen careers come true.
By: Donatus Ebi
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.