News
Ogu/Bolo Intensifies Human Capital Dev …Commissions Skills Centre, Equipment
In keeping with his promise of ensuring that youths in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area were properly trained, equipped, employable, occupationally-mobile and set to be independent entrepreneurs, the Chairman, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, has commissioned a fully-equipped skills acquisition centre in Ogu, with a commitment to intensify human capital development for the benefit of all in the area.
The building, which was built by previous administration, was rehabilitated and renovated by Nemieboka, and equipped by Technip FMC.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Nemieboka, thanked the management of Technip FMC for deeming it fit to equip the skills centre as part of their cooperate social responsibility (CSR) to the host community.
He said there was a paradox in the educational sector where people with certificates do not have skills, and those with skills do not have certificates, adding that this was a source of unemployment crisis in the nation.
The facilities were handed over to Ogu community by Technip FMC as CSR to its host communities.
However, Nemieboka appealed to the chiefs of Ogu community to hand the facility over to the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council for proper maintenance and optimal utilisation.
He said, if this was done, the council would maintain the equipment, and also provide instructors to teach the students.
Nemieboka said the council was interested in training and ensuring the youths of the area have skills, adding that it was for this reason that the council issued 2,500 application forms to eligible and interested youths in the area to apply to participate in capacity building training in the facility to equip them for the future.
He added that in the process, the council would get relevant information and statistics on what the youths were interested in so that more energy and resources could be channelled to the critical areas of need.
On the issue of starter packs, Nemieboka said no package would be given to anyone at the end of the training but added that those who genuinely use the skills they have learnt to start a business would be supported by the council to boost their businesses.
He appealed to youths in the area to avail themselves of the opportunity created by the establishment of the facility.
He called on Technip FMC not to relent in their CSR as there was room for more equipment like culinary and baking, welding and fabrication, heavy and light duty driving, among others.
Speaking earlier, the Business Development Manager, Technip FMC, Mr Sam Ben Ohen, said Technip FMC was a proud stakeholder in Ogu community, and has been able to do their business in peace because of the cordial relationship they have with their host community.
He said the project was a way of thanking the community for being a good host, which has enabled Technip FMC to impact positively in the lives of the people.
Ohen urged the community to secure and maintain the equipment, and prayed that when they come back for progress assessment of the facility, the results would be encouraging.
Also giving his opening remarks, the Chairman, Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs (ODCC), Chief Lawrence Williams Iyama, said the people would depend less on government when they have skills that would make them self-reliant entrepreneurs.
He thanked Technip FMC for conceiving such noble initiative that would better the lives of the people in Ogu community, and promised that the beneficiaries would concentrate and be commitment to learning and improving their skills.
The Ogu Community Liaison Officer of Technip FMC, Mr Fred Iyaye, while taking dignitaries round the facility, said it was structured to train over 1,000 people, adding that this would be done in batches.
The facilities in the training centre include, hairdressing,, pedicure and manicure equipment, sewing machines, weaving and embroidery machines, accessories and consumables.
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.