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Nwosu’s Resignation Vindicates G5 Govs’ Push For Equity, Justice, Wike Declares
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the resignation of former Minister of Health and member of Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Alphonsus Bosah Chukwurah Nwosu from the party was in further support to G5 governors’ demand for equity, fairness and justice.
The governor warned that if the party remains unyielding in zoning the office of the national chairman to the South, then, it should also be willing to face grave repercussions.
He made the declaration when stakeholders of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area paid a solidarity visit to him at Government House, Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The governor stated that he had continued to challenge the party to come to terms with the fact that everybody was equal in the country, with nobody being a second class citizen.
“I have continued to challenge them. What is the problem? What are we fighting for? What I said and will continue to say is that: all of us are from this country. Nobody is a second class citizen.
“We had agreed that this is how our party will be. Recently, Prof. A.B.C.Nwosu resigned from the party, saying that his conscience will not allow him, that the constitution of the party is clear, if you take this, these other people will take that. Why now are we saying that we won’t do it again?”
Wike spoke further: “What the people are saying is look, you have taken this, let these people take that, and you are saying you will take all. If you take all, you will also face the repercussions.”
The Rivers State governor declared that anybody fighting the state would experience defeat.
He maintained that God has blessed the state so much that He would not allow its adversaries to become victorious because the protective wall still remains difficult to penetrate.
Wike stressed that even if Rivers State loves peace, it cannot be intimidated and made to succumb to those who just want to milk it and deny it of its rightful place in the scheme of national politics.
“You cannot fight anybody that God has blessed. God has blessed Rivers State. Anybody fighting Rivers State, you are fighting yourself.
“Nobody can intimidate us. No one state in this country can intimidate Rivers State. If you want to fight us, we will fight you to the last.
“If you want to make peace with us, we will make peace with you to the last. But thinking that anybody will come and intimidate us, and then, we will chicken out, that is not possible.”
Wike flayed people like Senator George Thompson Sekibo for pitching against the interest of Rivers State, and wondered what benefit he can attract to his people.
The Rivers State governor described the senator as an ungrateful politician who believes that only him should be the leading light in his local government.
Wike made reference to the support he gave to ensure that the former head of the notorious SARS team in Rivers State, Akin Fakorede, did not succeed in stalling the announcement of the 2015 senatorial election, and footing the legal fees through the election tribunal for him.
The Rivers State governor insisted that it was time the people of Ogu/Bolo, and indeed, all Rivers people stand up together, and boldly too, against those who were working against the interest of the state.
Wike announced the award of contract for the construction of Eli Town landing jetty, and the Eteo-Ogu Road in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.
The governor also assured the payment of the outstanding contractual sums in the coming week for the remodelled Junior Secondary School in Ogu, sandfilling project, and Kera-K-Dere Road (50percent) paid already.
Wike explained that 100percent sum has been paid for the Kpogor-Wakama Road, and urged the contractor handling the project to return to site and speed up the work.
The governor stressed that governance was about giving the people confidence, and fulfilling promises made to them.
He told them to be ready to return 100percent votes enthusiastically same way they have received projects from his administration, so that the consolidation team that would be headed by the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, would win at the polls.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon Boma Iyaye, acknowledged that the Wike-led administration has given to communities in Ogu/ Bolo more projects than they ever requested.
While pledging their support to Wike, he said they would await his directive on the presidential candidate to vote for in the forthcoming election.
Reading their address, the Amanyanabo of Bolo-Ama, King Acheseinimie Frank, said Wike was a systematic source of inspiration to all Rivers people because he had courageously improved the socio-economic and political fortunes of the 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.