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We’re Ready For 2023 Elections, Wike Declares
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is fully prepared for the 2023 general election.
The governor has, however, expressed optimism that his administration would finish strong based on its sterling performance since 2015.
Wike stated these when he paid a New Year visit to former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili in Port Harcourt, and Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse in Emohua, respectively, last Sunday.
The Rivers State governor told Odili that he remained eternally grateful for the support he had rendered to his administration since 2015.
Wike was accompanied by the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, senatorial candidates for Rivers South-East and Rivers East, Senator Barry Mpigi; and Allwell Onyesoh; member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ken Chikere and others.
Ahead of the 2023 general election, he urged Odili to pray for seamless transition in the state and for the PDP to win all elective positions.
In his response, the former governor, Dr Peter Odili, said every genuine Rivers person was proud of Wike for the honour he has brought to the state as the best performing governor in the country.
He commended Wike for fearlessly defending and protecting the interest of the state from existential threats, which many didn’t know existed.
The elder statesman assured the governor that he remained committed to the total victory of the PDP in the state in the 2023 general election.
In Emohua, Wike told Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, that he had come to the council to formally notify the PDP stakeholders that the party has commenced politicking and ready for the 2023 general election.
“We are prepared for the politics and elections of 2023. We want to sound notice whether at the local, national and international level, that we are now set for this year’s election.”
He commended the king for his unparalleled support of the Rivers State Government since 2015.
The governor, who had earlier visited the former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Bennett Birabi, in Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area, said he was optimistic that his administration would finish strong.
Wike said all the road construction projects being flagged off across the state would be completed before he leaves office in May.
“Continue to pray for us now that our tenure is almost coming to an end. We pray we finish well as we have always hoped that God will allow us to finish well.”
The governor also pledged to construct some internal roads in Yeghe community and Bori.
In same vein, the governor also visited the former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Barrister Ledum Mitee in K-Dere community.
He commended Mitee for sacrificing his legal career in pursuit of justice, fairness and equity for the Ogoni people.
“We have come to wish you happy New Year, and to encourage you to continue to play your elder statesman’s role of making sure that Rivers State is one, Rivers State works together for the interest of every person. You’re a detribalised Rivers person.
“Nigerians know you as somebody who will always stand for justice, equity and fairness. You have paid the price of standing for justice. Everybody knows that if not for what you stood for things would have gone wrong. You’re one of the shining lights in the legal profession.”
In his response, Barrister Ledum Mitee, said he was elated by the visit, and prayed God to continue to give the governor the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state.
“We feel tremendously grateful to God to have given you the vision and passion to transform Rivers 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.