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…Sets Road Map For 2023 PDP Presidential Candidate
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not give its presidential ticket to any candidate who would serve only the interest of the wealthy few in Nigeria.
The governor said some desperate politicians were already scheming for a candidate who would not serve the interest of the many, rather the interest of just those of the wealthy few.
Wike made the assertion at a grand reception organised in his honour by the people of Kalabari ethnic nationality at the Abalama School Field in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, last Saturday.
The governor was conferred a traditional title of Se-Ibidokibo of Kalabari land (He who does good things for Kalabari people).
The installation was performed by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Gboko Desreal Bob-Manuel.
The governor said, “No amount of gang up can make PDP to give somebody who will want to run election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians.
“Anybody who wants to be candidate of PDP must be candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”
He expressed concern over the fact that some companies in the country continue to post annual financial profits regularly in a struggling national economy to the detriment of the poor.
Wike said that such profits, invariably, shared only by the rich, make them to get richer, while the majority of the population of the country, who are poor, gets poorer.
He reiterated that the stakeholders in Southern Nigeria would soon make a declarative statement concerning 2023 presidential election.
“The day the South will speak, Nigeria will shake. We believe in the unity of this country, but nobody can threaten us. Nobody should threaten us. We believe in the unity of Nigeria, and unity of Nigeria must continue.”
The governor lampooned Rivers politicians serving in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for their gross inability to attract Federal Government projects to the state.
Concerning the next governorship of Rivers State, Wike said anybody was entitled to aspire to be the next governor, but such person must show capacity for that office and well-disposed to protect the interest of the state.
He told Kalabari people, specifically, that they have not done well in terms of loving themselves and working in unity.
Wike said it was only a united people who can speak with one voice that can stand up to make demands, and therefore, urged them to put their house in order.
The governor announced the extension of dateline for the completion of the Trans-Kalabari Road phase one project by two months owing to the man-hours lostduring the period workmen were kidnapped on the site.
He disclosed that if the finances of the state improve, his administration may award the phase two of the Trans-Kalabari Road before he leaves office, next year.
The governor, while cancelling the contract for the reconstruction of Kalabari National College due to foreseen politics, announced the release of more fund for the Maryhood Girls Secondary School in the area to speed up its completion.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Rivers State Elders’ Forum, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba explained that the grand reception was significant for two reasons: its critical importance to them as a people and also because of the unity of purpose engendered among them under the Wike’s administration.
He said it was that kind of reception organised for prominent sons and friends who have impacted Kalabari people.
Anabraba noted that Wike has systematically fulfilled all promises made to them, including those of development projects and appointment of Kalabari people into his administration.
He listed some of the projects completed or ongoing to include the phase 1 of Trans -Kalabari Road project other administration promises but failed to execute for over 17 years, the rehabilitation and equipping of zonal and general hospitals, secondary schools, Abonnema Ring Road, sandfilling in Obonoma, Abonnema, Bakana, Oboama, and Abalama communities.
Also speaking, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs said that Kalabari people have enthusiastically and with relentless vigour, contributed to the growth and development of Rivers State and Nigeria.
It follows, therefore, according to him, that it was appropriate, and should be considered right thing for Kalabari people to expect return for the dues they had paid.
On his part, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs said the people were expecting Wike to also ensure that Kalabari people were brought out from the political wilderness in 2023.
A human rights activist, Ann Kio-Briggs noted that Rivers State, though a complex place to govern, does not mean that the people do not love each other.
She, however, harped on greater unity among the people while urging Wike not to relent in what he was doing for Kalabari people, the state and the region.
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.