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We’ll Not Disappoint Rivers People -Fubara
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has promised Rivers people and the leadership of the party that the consolidation and continuity team will not disappoint them.
Sir Fubara made the promise at the Rivers State PDP campaign rally for Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, held at the ultra modern car park in Opobo at the weekend.
He said as a son of the soil, he cannot possibly campaign in his hometown because he knows that the people of Opobo/Nkoro know what is at stake.
“I don’t think I need to campaign in Opobo/Nkoro, if I campaign here, then it means that I am not prepared. I just want to dance and thank God because victory is sure.
“I want to urge Opobo/Nkoro people to appreciate this great opportunity with your vote. No single vote must be wasted. Use your vote to make this bold statement.
“Like I stated earlier, I don’t need to campaign here. This present administration has given you access road, it has done land reclamation for you, it is also planning to give you a ring road. Expect more when we come on board.
“Let me use this opportunity and privilege to say a very big thank you to our leader and the leaders of our party in the state for finding me and other candidates of the party worthy to serve.
“My promise to Rivers people and the leadership of PDP in the state is this; we will not disappoint you. God will be with us as we carry out this task”, Fubara said.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said it is the will of God that Opobo will produce the governor of the state this time.
“I want to thank the Amanyanabo of Opobo and his council of chiefs for receiving us warmly. It was very clear that the people of Opobo are ready to lead Rivers State come May 29, 2023.
“I told the Amanyanabo that God can use anybody to bless someone. I told him that it is during his reign that Opobo got road and it is during his reign Opobo will be producing governor of the state. God’s time is always the best,” the governor said.
Wike promised to construct Opobo Ring Road and assured that the incoming administration would complete the project.
“I assure you that before I leave office, I must sign the contract for the construction of Opobo Ring Road, that is my gift to you because your son has proven to be a dependable and loyal person.
“I will sign that ring road and he will complete it for you. I will make it express in my handover note because it is an agreement between me and Opobo people,” he added.
In his solidarity speech, the former Deputy National Chairman, PDP, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja said Governor Wike is an arrow of God.
“Your Excellency, in 2015, God used you as his arrow to stop an Opobo son from becoming governor of this state. In 2023, God is using you to make another son of Opobo to become governor.
“We are going to use our PVC to teach agents of destruction in Opobo a lesson. We are fully focused on electing Siminialayi Fubara for governor and PDP candidates in the national assembly and state assembly elections,” he said.
In her goodwill message, the former Commissioner in Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Sotonye Toby Fulton, thanked Governor Wike and the leadership of the PDP for the choice of Sir Fubara as the gubernatorial candidate of the party.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank our leader, Governor Nyesom Wike and the leaders of our party for the privilege and honour done to us by supporting Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
“I assure you that we will deliver, Opobo/Nkoro has always been PDP, we have been doing it and it is not going to be any different this time, in fact, with God on our side, we will do more this time around, that is a promise from us,” she stated.
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.