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Wives Of Two LG Chairmen Call For Education, Protection Of Girl-Child
Wives of Ogu/Bolo and Tai local government chairmen have called for strong investments in the education and protection of the girl-child to guarantee their future in the state.
The two local government chairmen made the call during events to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl-Child at the LG headquarters in Ogu and Saakpenwa, respectively.
The theme for this year is “Our Time Is Now, Our Rights, Our Future”.
The programmes featured sensitisation and capacity building workshop/seminar for the girls, questions and answers session, press briefing and drama.
In her address, the wife of the Chairman of the Ogu/Bolo LGA, Mrs Boma Nemieboka said, the programme was organised to celebrate the girl-child because of the importance and worth placed on the girl-child in the society.
She reiterated the fact that the education of the girl-child was of utmost importance because she unites the society and was also a nation builder.
Mrs Nemieboka called for the mentoring, empowerment and education of the girl-child in the society.
The Ogu/Bolo first lady further said education would help the girl-child break the gender norm, have a sense of belonging and not be intimidated by her male counterparts.
She went ahead to say the education would aid her to make informed decisions, and assured them that they were loved and cherished.
She told the girls to appreciate their parents and guardians for giving them the opportunity to be educated because a lot of girls do not have such privileges.
In turn for giving them good education, Mrs Nemieboka admonished girls to study hard, make good grades, become responsible and reputable people in the society, and make their parents proud, so they don’t regret spending their time and resources on them.
The Medical Officer of Health Department, Ogu/Bolo LGA, Dr Carol Joseph, talked to the girls on keeping good hygiene and puberty while Senior Lecture, Department of Human Kinetic, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr Opirite Mojaan, spoke on sexual harassment.
In her closing remarks, the Vice Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Hon Eunice Alabo, thanked the Chairman, Barrister Vincent Nemieboka, for his efforts in making sure women were carried along in his government.
The students staged a drama on the importance of girl-child.
Nemieboka also distributed gift items to all the students.
In attendance are the Deputy Leader, Hon Tammy Ibibofori; Whip, Hon Daddie Praise;Ogu/Bolo Legislative Assembly, Hon Stella Harold.
Others are Vice Principal, UBE, GSS,Ogu, Ms Silverline Odikibiebuma, teachers and students.
In her speech during an event at Saakpenwa, the wife of the Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Lady Winnieenu Okpe, distributed 115 packs of pads to Tai women and girls to mark the 2022 International day for Girl-Child.
Mrs Okpe, who hosted an event aimed at educating women on the right of the girl-child, explained that the pads would sustain the women for three months, adding that it was a way of encouraging healthy and hygienic living of the girl-child in the society.
She also charged all women of Tai to give adequate attention to their girl-child, stressing that girl children were resourceful and had the potentials just like the boy children.
Speaking on the topic: “On being female: the focus”, Barrister Theresa Belema Chris Biriowu appealed to parents to also give as much education to the girl-child as they do to the male child, noting that neglecting the girl-child had generational consequences.
She added that women, especially in rural areas, should rise up to their right, and say no to molestation, abuse and other forms of harassment faced by the girl-child.
Furthermore, the head of Rapid Response Team of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) in Rivers State, BarristerDabaIketubosin, said that the primary responsibility of FIDA was to educate and sensitise the women to know their right, and apply them in their daily activities.
She noted that most people, especially the girl-child,were ignorance of their right and as such lives as handicap.
Mrs. Clara Mmebe, who anchored the interactive session, narrated her life story as a girl-child, and informed the participants that it was a wake-up call for everyone to take responsibility of their girl-child.
Mrs. Beatrice Matthew Dike, who also spoke at the event, commended the wife of the chairman of Tai Local Government Area for putting up such intriguing event.
She noted that the event was the first of its kind, and that all participants had one or more things they have benefited from the programme.
On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl-Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
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.