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Fubara’s Governorship, A Divine Project, Obuah Affirms …As Rivers Equity Group Outreach Berths At Omoku
The choice of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has been described as a divine one.
Former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Brother Felix Obuah, stated this in Omoku, last Tuesday, when members of the Rivers State Equity Group visited him in his country home.
Obuah noted that the manner in which Fubara emerged as the PDP flag bearer was a classic case of the hand of God in the affairs of men, which had continued to trail the candidate right from his time as a civil servant.
He, therefore, described the task of ensuring that Fubara emerged victorious in the 2023 governorship election as a divine project which must be accomplished by well-meaning people of Rivers State.
“Nobody makes or gives power. Power belongs to God. No matter what happens or who you are,if you are not destined to occupy a position, you will not get it …”. Fubara has been destined by God to become the governor of Rivers State, and we must work towards achieving it”.
While reacting to the supportgiven to the Equity Group by the PDP candidate for their outreach programme, Obuah noted that he had known Fubara for quite some time, and knows his ideals and attitude towards human capacity development and empowerment.
“This is just the beginning, when he is not yet elected; he is supporting a just cause like the medical outreach. You can imagine what he is going to do when he becomes governor in terms of human capacity development and empowerment. That’s why I said it is a divine project, and I am supporting it to the fullest”, Obuah stated.
Earlier, the Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, had intimated the host that they were in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in continuation of the group’s medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation to prepare the people towards the 2023 elections.
Ogolo informed the host that the group embarked on the medical outreach, especially in identifying with the eye problems of the people to enable them live a better and fulfilling life.
He said that so far, the group has visited Asari-Toru, Oyigbo, Gokana, and Eleme LGAs of the state for similar exercises.
He commended the Patron of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for the support granted the group to embark on the medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation, noting that his prioritising of the welfare of the people of the state was worthy of commendation.
In his remarks, the Deputy Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir J.P. Nalley, briefly introduced the group and its activities ranging from enlightenment on the Electoral Act, free medical services, especially on eyes check-up, treatment, issuing of free eyeglasses and referrals.
He noted that the group, in collaboration with the Linsolar Eye Clinic, had earlier taken the programme to Asari-Toru, Gokana, Eleme local government areas.
Nalley said that prior to venturing into the series of medical outreach/Electoral Act enlightenment programme, Rivers Equity Group had earlier organised series of enlightenment campaigns on Electoral Act and nonviolent elections in Port Harcourt and Oyigbo before going back to the drawing board to brainstorm, and arrived at what the need of the people was, hence the introduction of the medical outreach alongside the enlightenment programme.
He hinted that apart from the efforts of members of the group and a few other well-meaning persons, the Rivers State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming governorship election in the state, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, was a principal supporter for the project.
Also speaking,a senior lawyer and legal luminary, Barrister Emeka Ichoku, who hails from ONELGA, thanked the group for honouring them with the visit, and wished them a pleasant stay throughout the period of the programme and a safe departure thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Equity Group, in its series of visits to LGAs for the medical outreach, berthed in Omoku, headquarters of ONELGA, last Tuesday, when over 300 persons were screened, provided with medicated eye glasses, drugs and the more serious cases referred for elaborate treatment.
The medical outreach is in partnership with Linsolar Eye Clinic, and saw the Chairman of ONELGA, Vincent Job, present eye glasses to some of the beneficiaries.
He commended the group for the project, and pledged his support.
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.