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Akawor, AKULGA Boss Extol Virtues Of New Rivers Commissioners
The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has congratulated the three newly sworn-in commissioners as members of the State Executive Council, saying that their appointment could not have come without consideration of their loyalty to the party as men of honour, courage, integrity and commitment to the state.
Akawor said this while reacting to the swearing-in of the new commissioners by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
A statement personally signed by the chairman, said, “It is my utmost pleasure to witness the swearing in of the commissioners, carried out today (Friday) by our hardworking Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, of notable personalities such as; Barrister Zacchaeus Adangor, who was returned as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General; as well as Hon. Isaac Kamalu, who was returned as Commissioner for Finance; and Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, who was sworn in as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“Certainly, your willingness to volunteer your time and effort, as well as express your opinions, has contributed to your being selected for the positions.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is known to bring in consummate professionals with unparalleled expertise, to head ministries that will drive the state to excellent heights. It is on that premise that you were sworn in, to join in driving the NEW Rivers Vision to success.
“We trust that you will continue to work for improved Rivers State and consolidate on the dynamic strides of our project delivering governor who has outworked his contemporaries.
“On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, I congratulate you all. Please, be aware that you have our full support. We wish you all the best as you represent the state and do it exceptionally.
“In the words of Patrick Suskind, ‘Talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything’.
“You all are not just known to be talented which is borne out of visible experience that has transformed the state in your various field vested in you, but you do so with so much humility and hard work that has distinguished you and made you all deserving of such recognition, just as the governor said in his speech today. You have worked with unalloyed loyalty and keen dedication to the state and our governor, you deserve the honour of being returned to continue from where you stopped.
“Once more, I congratulate you all as you assume your offices”, Akawor said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, described “the appointment of Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George-Kelly as deserving of a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman”, saying that “with his wealth of technical knowledge on project delivery and construction management, Rivers State is on the verge of experiencing yet another phase of infrastructural boom”.
George said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, John Paul Braide, in Buguma City, last Saturday, to congratulate Dr. Dax George-Kelly on his appointment as Rivers State Commissioner for Works and Special Projects by Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ASALGA council boss said, “On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, I congratulate a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman, a leading light of this generation, a core professional and an illustrious ASALGAN, Dr. Dax George-Kelly on your appointment as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects”.
According to George, “the sterling contributions of Dr. George-Kelly to the infrastructural development of the state while serving as Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects and Head, Bureau of Special Projects, was legendary and worthy of commendation”.
He, however, noted that Dr. George-Kelly’s doggedness, commitment, steadfastness and strong skills on project delivery, earned him this laudable and milestone achievement as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“The birth of great men is heralded by great events and is usually for a mission. Your coming to manage the entire construction spectrum in Rivers State at this time is, indeed, for a purpose, adding that Rivers people can attest to your doggedness, commitment and steadfastness in managing the infrastructural development masterpiece in the state as reflected in the monumental achievements recorded under your leadership as Head, Bureau of Special Projects.
“Our shoulders are high knowing that a worthy son of ASALGA is strategically appointed by our dear governor to contribute technical expertise towards revamping the infrastructural architecture of the New Rivers State”, the statement said.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.
The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.
Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.
“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.
“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.
Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.
“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.
“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.
“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.
Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.
“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.
“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.
Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.
He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”
Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.
On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.
“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.
“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.
After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.
They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.