Politics
Group Lauds Council Boss’ Performance …As Ace Entertainer Dubs Him Face Of Wike
A group known as the Degema Political Forum (DPF) has lauded the performance of the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, noting that his actions showed that he came prepared.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chairman at the Council headquarters, Chairman of DPF, Dr. Oteiva Mokie Frank, noted that the Chairman had justified his election through his numerous people-oriented projects littered across the LGA.
“Judging from the steps you have taken as Chairman, we are happy to say that the people of DELGA did not make a mistake by putting you in the saddle of the local government as the Chief Executive.
“The actions you have taken so far have shown that you came prepared to give the good people of the local government purposeful and eventful leadership.
“You came to replicate the outstanding performance of our indefatigable and workaholic governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike in the LGA.
“In less than three months of assumption of duty, you have littered the entire LGA with visible and verifiable projects, not on paper, that have direct bearing on the existential well-being of the people,” Dr. Frank stated.
The group thanked the Council Boss for the appointments given to their sons and daughters, pledging the continued support of the Degema people to his administration.
The elitist group also used the occasion to appeal to the Council Chairman to assist the Degema people with the construction of a Community Hall for social gatherings, procurement of two 500 KVA transformers for improved electricity distribution as well as completion of their uncompleted Youth Development Centre.
In his response, the Council Boss commended the DPF for their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his administration, assuring that Degema Town will surely get a good project from his administration.
He noted that the delay in embarking on a project in Degema Town was due to the fact that several groups from the community had met him with different requests, adding that he was taking his time to identify the immediate need of the people, and would execute same in the shortest possible time.
In the area of electricity, he apprised that Degema Town and the Axis area were the first to receive power supply upon his assumption of office, adding that he was aware of the transformer challenge, but that efforts were on to resolve it.
He reiterated his campaign promise that every community in Degema LGA will be touched by his administration, calling on Degema people to remain steadfast in their support for the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP, as that would guarantee a better future for them.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a portrait and roll-up stand to the Council Chairman.
Meanwhile, ace comedian, Prince Hezekiah, has extolled the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, describing him as the face of Governor Nyesom Wike in Kalabari Land.
Prince Hezekiah, who spoke, when his team paid a courtesy call on the LGA Chief Executive at Degema, headquarters of the council added that the Chairman was a true replica of the governor due to his developmental strides in the LGA.
The Kalabari-born entertainer, stated that the essence of the visit was to intimate the Chairman of his forthcoming event, tagged: Prince Hezekiah MADE IN PORT HARCOURT, slated for September 5, 2021, at the Aztec Arcum Event Centre, Port Harcourt.
Prince Hezekiah noted that the event, which is first of its kind, is aimed at showcasing Port Harcourt-based talents to the world.
While calling for support from relevant stakeholders for the entertainment industry in the State, the veteran comedian noted that Port Harcourt had potentials to compete favourably with other big cities of the world.
He appealed to the Council Boss to support the event by buying and distributing free tickets to Degema people to go and watch the show.
Responding, the Council Chairman commended him for being a worthy Ambassador of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, thanking him for coming up with such a laudable idea to revive the ailing entertainment industry in the State. He stated that the present Chairmen of the three Kalabari speaking LGAs were working in synergy to promote the unity, peace and development of the Kalabari Nation.
The Council Boss assured the entertainer that, as one of their own, he and his counterparts would collaborate and give all necessary support to him to ensure that the event turned out successful.
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