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PDP G5 Bonded To Save Nigeria, Wike Declares …As All Govs Get Honorary Citizens Of Benue Award
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that nobody can break the ranks of the five governors (G5) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have continued to insist that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu resigns his position as the national chairman of the party.
Wike noted that because the G5 had remained dogged on their demand, people had made several efforts to break their ranks but cannot succeed.
The Rivers State governor spoke at the new Banquet Hall of Benue State Government House, Makurdi, during a dinner organised in honour of the G5 by Governor Samuel Ortom, last Sunday’s night.
Wike asserted that those efforts were failing because the five governors were bonded to save Nigeria.
“And if you look at us here, the way we are, people have tried to see how they can break us, but they cannot. We are bonded to save Nigeria.
“That is why when you see all of us, we are impenetrable. Nobody can divide us. They have tried everything in this world to divide us, but no way.
“The way we operate; I will talk, we have people who don’t talk. You may be underrating them. By the time they will shock you, you will think it is Wike, it is not Wike you are seeing.”
It was an evening of display of the rich culture of the Benue people in which Ortom proclaimed, bestowing Honorary Citizen’s Status on Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
Wike said Nigerians were expecting the PDP to rescue the country, but it appeared that the leadership of the party was not showing serious commitment to that course.
He stated that inclusivity remains a precursor for peace and unity, because it would allow everybody to have equal sense of stake both in the party and to work together for the desired electoral victory.
“Agreement is agreement. Respect agreement, so that there will be peace, there will be unity. What we are asking for is inclusivity; include everybody.
“We are not talking about presidential candidate. We have finished that one. We have a presidential candidate, we have a vice presidential candidate.
“But that one that will go to the other people, give them so that everybody will move forward. That is what we are saying, nothing more.”
Concerning the 25 buses donated to Benue State PDP for their campaigns, Wike corrected and gave clearer perspective to it.
Wike explained that the buses were part of the bulk of vehicles his team acquired for his presidential campaigns, if he had won the primary.
But since that ambition did not materialise, Wike said, the team decided that the vehicles should be shared among those who supported the course.
The buses, he noted, would help in easing their efforts as they re-enact the winning position of the party.
“So, Ortom saying I gave you people vehicles, it is not correct. They are the vehicles that our team bought that time because of the (presidential primary) election, we would have won it, but to God be the glory.”
Wike said they were in Benue State to show solidarity to Ortom, who he described as a good man.
The Rivers State governor thanked the government and people of Benue for bestowing on them the honorary citizen’s status of the state.
Wike said the G5 constitutes a people who have show leadership in their various states, and on issues of national concern, taken the risk to speak the truth, maintained integrity, and were consistent.
“I thank all of you for this honour you’ve done to all of us, the integrity governors. The governors who can come up, and tell you black is black, yes is yes. We don’t bend; we say it as it is.
“Leadership is taking risk. Leadership is about integrity, and discipline.”
He further added, “Governor Ortom, what we have come here to do today is to give you solidarity for tomorrow’s (Monday) campaign, to tell the people of Benue, we are with Ortom.”
In his speech, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, acknowledged that as an Eagle of Tiv land, Wike was the first to stand by them, spoke truth to power, and gave support when the Fulani bandits killed Benue people.
“Many have wondered why I have chosen to swim with Governor Wike. Many have wondered why I have chosen to work with him in darkness and in the midst of storms and threats, and also trial and brimstone.
“This is a man who stood with us during our trying times and came out, did not fear about threats of the Federal Government or federal might, but came out and said: look, if you kill Ortom, you have killed Nigeria.
“They call it farmers/herders fight. We say it’s all lies; Fulani is coming to invade us. Wike came out, brought stakeholders from Rivers State, and they came here. Wike offered us solidarity, and in faith with Benue people and gave his commitment.”
Ortom revealed that the monetary support Wike gave was a demonstration of his love for Benue people.
“As if that was going to be the end, he (Wike) committed money, then, it was N250million. I remember High Level Main Market got burnt, Governor Wike heard about it, we did not make any demand, Wike came and donated N200million.
“I remember when Katsina-Ala Market got burnt; Governor Wike came and donated another N200million. Subsequently, the money he has committed is over N700million for our IDPs. Is he not a friend enough that we should work with?
“We have never had it so good. He was the same person who was able to convince our colleague and brother from Akwa Ibom State, who also donated N200million. Then, the governor of Taraba State donated N100million to our IDPs.”
Ortom also clarified that the Rivers State governor was not against Ayu as a person, but added that he was standing for what was true, fair, and just in the PDP.
“I was the chairman of the zoning committee. The National Working Committee (NEC) did not make me chairman, it was the group of those who were nominated that made me chairman.
“It was agreed in that meeting that since people have bought forms, let us allow everybody to contest, but that once a presidential candidate comes from the North, the chairman will go to the South. That was the arrangement.
“I want you to know that Governor Wike is not against Benue State. He is not against the national chairman being from here (Benue) because he is a title holder from Benue State.
“He (Wike) is not against it, but he is just standing for the truth. Agreement is agreement, and it is important we keep to the agreement. If you don’t keep to agreement, then, you are creating problems.”
Ortom explained that the G5 had all agreed to work together for the good of Nigeria, and to deliver it from the basement bad leadership had plunged it.
“They (G5) have stood with us. They have supported us. They are here tonight. Tomorrow, we are launching our campaign. That shows love.
“I want to thank them for standing for justice. I want to thank them for standing for equity. I want to thank them for standing for fairness. That is all that we need!
“We are where we are today because we have refused to respect the rule of law and respect justice, equity and fineness for all.
“As a mark of honour tonight for our very distinguished personalities, by the powers conferred on me as the Governor of Benue State, I have given these four governors, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Honorary Citizens of Benue State.”
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.