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Obuama, Blessed Beyond Measures, Banigo Admits …As DELGA PDP Flags-Off Ward-to-Ward Campaigns
Rivers State Deputy Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District in the upcoming elections, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has said that Obuama community was blessed beyond measures by the Almighty God.
Banigo made this assertion during the Ward-to-Ward sensitisation and campaign organised by the Degema PDP in Ward 14,Obuama, last Wednesday.
The deputy governor, who expressed gratitude to the people for their support and massive turn out, assured that the Kingdom Mandate, which was ordained by the Almighty God, would offer to them an erudite and effective representation at the Upper Legislative Chambers.
According to her, Rivers people would continue to enjoy righteousness, peace and joy, when they give the PDP their mandate, and urged the people of Degema Local Government Area to vote Sir Siminialayi Fubara, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Cyril Godwin Hart, and Abbey Peter, for the Gubernatorial, Senatorial, House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly seats.
However, with 39 and 53 days away to the 2023 General Election in Nigeria, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, have flagged-off their Ward-to-Ward campaigns, to woo electorate to vote for candidates of the party, vying for various offices, both at the state and national levels.
The party’s campaign train, led by the projects-oriented Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Michael John Williams, kicked off the campaign from Degema Consulate, the administrative headquarters of the LGA in Ward 11, and thereafter, proceeded to Degema Town in Ward 12.
Speaking to the people, Williams stated that the PDP had not come to campaign to them, but to celebrate the party’s victory with the people ahead of the polls.
He said the achievements of the PDP in the area were so enormous that the people would not think it twice to cast their votes for the party that had done so well for them.
While promising to bring more dividends of democracy to the people, the council chairman also assured that his administration would address the water challenge of the people of Ward 12 in the coming days.
Williams also announced the immediate appointment of four indigenes of the community as special assistants, two of whom were decampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.
He assured the decampees of inclusion in the party, calling on the leadership of the ward to fully integrate them and carry them along in all activities of the party.
Also speaking, Leader of the PDP and former Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Pleasant Braide, who pointed out the various giant strides of the PDP in the area, stated that the party’s numerous achievements were enough to campaign for it, as against those opposition elements, who make bogus promises and fail to keep them.
He enjoined people of the ward to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), in order to vote for candidates of the PDP, and be ready to defend their votes, adding that the days of ballot box snatching and stuffing by opposition elements were gone for good.
In his speech, candidate of the House of Representatives for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Warisenibo Cyril Hart, thanked the people of Degema for what he described as a brotherly gesture, in zoning the position to Bonny, where the lot fell on him to fly the flag of the party.
He noted that though the seat was meant for both LGAs, without the magnanimity and brotherly consideration of the Degema leaders, Bonny would not have stood a chance at the seat, considering the numerical strength of the former to the latter, adding; “thanks for caring for your brothers.”
Hart, assured the people Degema of quality representation at the Green Chamber, when elected into office, stressing that the National Assembly was not a place to send mediocres, who do not understand the peculiarity and challenges of the people of the Constituency.
The House of Representatives hopeful, who is also a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bonny LGA and Board Commissioner, Universal Basic Education (UBE), while commending the chairman of Degema LGA for his monumental achievements in office, stated that he and other candidates of the party would be riding to victory on the successes of the administrations of Governor NyesomWike and Hon. Michael John Williams.
On his part, Chairman of the PDP in DELGA, Chief Taribo Benson, who encouraged members of the party to see the forthcoming elections as an opportunity to work for themselves, added that the party was well entrenched in the area, and would win overwhelmingly as it had been doing since 1999.
Also in their contributions, Leaders of Ward 11 and 12, Chief TonyeTyger and Dr. Emily Solomon, assured the PDP and its candidates of the continued support of their people to the party that has done so much for them.
Highpoint of the campaign was the reception of scores of APC members into the PDP in Ward 12,Degema Town.
Explaining the reason for their defection, leader of the decampees, Alhaji Hart Inumibolmubo, said that it was due to the failure of the APC to carry their members along, as well as the sterling performance of the DELGA Sheriff in projects’ execution as well as human capacity development.
The campaigns were well attended by the crème de la crème of Degema politics, including; the Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams; his Vice, Mrs. Maureen Obuba Harry; Leader of the PDP and former Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Pleasant Braide; former chairmen of DELGA; Hon. Tony Philmoore; and Chief Betterland Davies; as well as member representing Degema Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Soberekon.
Others were; Commissioner for Power; Hon. Damiete Herbert Miller; former caretaker committee chairmen of DELGA; Chief TonyeTyger; Chief OmboBenebo; and Hon. OkoriteAdiele; former chairmen of Rivers State Civil Service Commission; Chief Ben Orugbani; and Sir Ngo Martyns-Yellowe; as well as Chairman of DAA-3 Cluster Development Board; Hon. MpakaBotoye.
The rest include; Amanyanabo of Ke and former member, House of Representatives, King AbokoAgolia, OmoniBenebo XII; Chairman of DELGA PDP, Chief Taribo Benson;Second Republic politician and former leader of old Degema LGA; Chief Levy Bealnut Pedro; member of State Executive Council of the PDP; Hon. Alalibo Graham; and former Deputy Mayor, Port Harcourt City LGA, Hon. Alphine Whyte.
Others were; Leader of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Hon. Alapuye Duke; and his colleagues across the 17 Wards of the LGA; House of Representatives Candidate for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Warisenibo Cyril Hart;state House of Assembly Candidate, Hon. Peter Abbey; pioneer Commissioner for Special Duties in Rivers State, Dr. Emily Solomon; former Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Ogurama, Comrade Harmony Douglas; and Dr. Tobin Owuso, amongst others.
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.