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2023: Get, Secure Your PVCs, Fubara Tells PHALGA Residents …As BFO Storms GDI Awareness Rally AKULGA PDP Strategises For 100% Victory
Thousands of Port Harcourt residents, last Friday, trooped out to the Elekahia Primary School Field in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the sensitisation rally organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) to encourage eligible voters in the area to register and collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 elections.
The programme, which began with a rally/gyration session by the 20 wards in the area, was preceded by solidarity speeches delivered by political leaders and other stakeholders, including the state Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Amb Desmond Akawor, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
In his speech, Akawor, who said he had come to lend support to the GDI because of the importance of the PVCs to the citizenry, commended the organisation for what it was doing in educating and enlightening the people on the need to register and obtain their voters’ cards.
The IPAC chairman, who described the crowd at the Port Harcourt rally as “Sea of human beings and operation thunderbolt”, noted that the large turnout he saw at Etche was incomparable to what he saw in Port Harcourt.
On his part, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, advised the people to secure their PVCs.
“You know before now, you were coming to the rally with your PVCs, and I advised against it because you might misplace it. One vote is important to us. We have the number but we need to add more so that when we win, we win with a larger margin that you cannot even protest the win”, Fubara said.
He appealed to those who had already registered, to go and collect their PVCs, disclosing that there were several PVCs at INEC offices across the state that were yet to be collected.
Fubara, therefore, advised those who were yet to collect their PVCs to go and collect them without further delay, stressing that it was only by exercising their franchise on Election Day with their PVCs that victory could be secured for the party.
Also present at the rally were the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; LGA chairmen; members of the state and National Assembly; and PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; the President General of the Grassroot Democratic Initiative, Hon. Bright Amaewhule; Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie; and Rivers East Senatorial District Candidate, Hon. Alwell Onyesoh.
Others are the State Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George as well as party’s candidates for the state and national legislative elections, captains of industry, other top government officials, including members of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, and various other political pressure groups.
The Bro Felix Obuah Support Group delegation was led by the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Comrade John Davidson; and the PHALGA Coordinator, Johnson Otuonye.
While commending the GDI for the success of the campaign, Davidson stressed that the group would leave no stone unturned in its quest to ensure popular participation of citizens in the forthcoming elections, which by God’s grace, would usher in the administration of Sir Sim Fubara come 2023.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akuku-Toru Chapter, last Wednesday, held her general meeting at Abonnema, with a call on all eligible voters, who were yet to register and collect their PVCs to do so before the Sunday expiration of the exercise.
The objective of the meeting was the sensitisation of party stalwarts on the new Electoral Guidelines and the significance of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in the 2023 General Election.
In his opening remark, the PDP Chairman of AKULGA, Hon. Emmanuel Stephen, assured the people that, moving forward, the party would sustain interactive sessions with party members as a priority, as part of strategies to nurture the spirit of camaraderie.
Speaking, former Secretary of the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, thanked the members for their support and commitment to the party while encouraging them to always work together for the growth of the party.
Danagogo also reiterated the importance of the PVCs in the electoral process, and urged everyone to make the procurement of the electoral passport a priority.
In his remarks, Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Hon. Rowland Sekibo, exhorted party members to be steadfast and supportive of the party’s pursuit for a better and more prosperous Rivers State and Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders and party faithful, Chairman of the AKULGA PVC Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee, Hon. Isobo Jack, advised party stalwarts who are yet to register to do so before the July 31, 2022 deadline given by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also speaking, Vice-Chairman AKULGA, Hon. Mrs. Caroline West; Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Engr. Major Jack; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Lolo Opuende; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sibo-ofori Lawson; Dr. ThankGod Lilly; Hon. Kurotamunoye Briggs; Barrister Ibim Dokubo; and Mrs Priscilla Don-Pedro, in their respective goodwill messages unanimously called for synergy and the collective advancement of the party.
The meeting also featured an interactive session between members and leaders of the party.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.