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Imbibe Rotary’s 4-Way Test, Nsirim Tells Political Leaders
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has said that Nigeria would be a better country if political leaders can imbibe the 4-way test of Rotary Club, which teaches service above self.
Nsirim said this during the presentation of an award as a benefactor of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to him by the executive members of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt South led by its 39th President, Rtn Franklin Miebai, in his office in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The commissioner said that the Rotary 4-way test: “Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”, remains a guiding principle for any organisation or country that would want to make progress.
“If politicians and leaders in Nigeria imbibe the Rotary 4-way test, then, we are sure of a better country. Rotary teaches a lot about service; service above self.
“Let me state quite frankly that as a young man, I got to love Rotary because of what it stands for. Our 4-way test remains the guiding principle for any organisation, any country that will want to make progress,” he said.
Using the Rotary succession plan as an example of good leadership, Nsirim described the plan as a beauty to behold as elections were usually conducted in an orderly manner; free and fair.
“Rotary succession plan is a beauty to behold. Rotary remains a symbol for transformational leadership.
“Rotary remains a symbol for service to humanity. Rotary remains a symbol for development.If world leaders can imbibe Rotary culture, at least, I think the world will be a better place”, he said.
The commissioner commended the leadership of the Port Harcourt South Rotary Club for their commitment to the realisation of the ideals of the club, and also urged them not to relent but seek to do more and do better in order to be the club to reckon with in the district.
“What a good leader does is, challenge your success when you find you are making progress. The achievement we have recorded within this Rotary year is something we must build on.
“I like us to be a centre piece. Let us remain the club to beat in our district, and that will require a lot of sacrifice, let us set a milestone. We must challenge our success, as a club, we should galvanise ourselves to be model for other Rotary clubs to copy.
“I want to challenge ourselves to grow our membership. Each one of us need to grow our membership, not just with ordinary people but with men and women who understand the ideals of Rotary; Rotary is for service”, he said.
Expressing appreciation for the award, Nsirim said the benefactor award would challenge him and spur him to begin to think of more ways to contribute to Rotary International for higher and bigger awards.
“It is a call to service, and I also implore all our members to ensure that they get this kind of recognition as it will be a credit to our club,” he said.
Miebai commended the commissioner for his support to the club as a member which has earned him a Certificate and decoration of medal of a benefactor of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
He further intimated the commissioner of the achievements of Port Harcourt South so far and programmes planned for execution.
Other members of the entourage were President-Elect, Rtn Bara Alagoma; Assistant Governor, Stanley Nsofor; President-Nominee, Rtn Nene Iyalla; Public Image Chairman, Rtn Mimgba Tamuno-Opubo; and Rtn David Nanakrumu.
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.
