News
Declare Emergency On Ogoni Dev, FG Told
A group under the auspices of Ogoni National Congress (ONC) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of Ogoni land to assuage the decades of under-development in the area as a result of the exploitation of the natural resources of the people and the despoliation of their environment.
The group made the call, recently, in Bori, Headquarters of Ogoni, during the commemoration of the 27th years remembrance of the judicial murder of Ogoni-born environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen by the Gen Sani Abacha military junta.
Addressing the people at the event, Chairman of the group, Engineer Olu Andah, Wai-Ogosu said the demands for environmental, economic and political justice in Ogoni championed by Saro- Wiwa was yet to be addressed by the Federal Government, 27 years after the killing of the writer, activist and social crusader, rather Ogoni land still bore the brunt of oil pollution and has remained grossly poor, lacking in functional economic activities and inundated with instigated crisis and vices.
He said Ogoni through their struggle for social, political and environmental justice remains the symbol of hope for all the oppressed minorities in Nigeria, and urged the Federal government to address the demands of the people as embedded in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which was presented to the Federal Government by Ogoni leaders in 1990.
He urged all Ogonis to be unbroken in their spirit despite the threats to their existence as a people, and see the event of the remembrance of Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni compatriots as an avenue to rekindle faith in the Ogoni struggle, noting that the vision and ideas of Saro-Wiwa has set the pace for beckoning with the imperatives of justice in Nigeria and Africa.
The elder statesman said the deliberate delay of the Federal Government to address the issues of environmental justice in Ogoni and by extension other polluted Niger Delta environment underscored the recalcitrance of the powers that be to persist in the marginalisation of the minorities and other disadvantaged groups in Nigeria.
In his keynote speech, Niger Delta activist, Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, described the late Ken Saro-Wiwa as a patriotic Ogoni man and Niger Delta leader who used his literally prowess and committed his life to fight for the minorities in Nigeria, using the Ogoni struggle which he brought to international limelights to advance his clamour for justice and true federalism in Nigeria.
He said Saro-Wiwa had conviction in the course he lived and died for, pointing out that in a convoluted state like Nigeria were the rights of the minority ethnic groups that produce the wealth of the nation are subjugated, the ideals postulated by late Ogoni activist offers the broadest flicker of hope out of the the shackles of oppression.
Sara-Igbe used the deplorable state of the East-West Road that leads to the major economic route of the nation to exemplify the deliberate neglect of the Federal Government to develop Ogoni land and other Niger Delta communities.
He urged the Ogonis and the entire Niger Delta not to be cowed to submission but remain resolute in confronting their common foes; the Federal Government and the multinationals that exploit the natural resources of the people.
By; Taneh Beemene
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.