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Buhari Pays Tribute To Nimi Briggs
President Muhammadu Buhari, has described late Prof. Nimi Briggs, as a man with indelible blueprint who brought peace to the university system.
Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, made this known at the Official Memorial Ceremony for Briggs, in Abuja, yesterday.
He praised the deceased for bringing his unparalleled activities, commitment and passion to instill industrial peace in the university system.
“ In honour of the late Prof. Briggs, I join others to console with the wife, family, academia and other person’s from other areas. This is a reality of existence that we have to contend with.
“We cannot question the will and wisdom of the Almighty God.
“At times like these, we need to look back and thank God for the gift of life of Prof. Briggs, our gathering is not to mourn.
“This journey of life cut almost all part of our national existence and also transverse great service in various landmarks in our country.
“ In his two main major areas of expertise -academic and medical, he stands out. He has brought his unparalleled life abilities on the scene of academic positions.
“It will be deserving of mention his gratitude for leading the Federal Government team of negotiations with our academic labour unions on improving our university system in the country,” he said
The president also described him as a man of humility, God-fearing, devoted and a perfect gentleman who had left a mark to be filled by others.
The President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the death of Briggs was not just shocking but disheartening to say the least.
Osodeke, represented by the Investment Secretary of the union, Mr Austin Sado, said Briggs was a distinguished leader empowered by the Federal Government to renegotiate the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement.
He praised the deceased for approaching the role with unequalled dedication and faithfulness.
“We commend the late Briggs as he earned the respect for the honest commitment to this assignment. His contribution sets him apart for honour and will forever be missed,” he said
He said that the late Briggs through his works, immortalise his name and would never be forgotten.
Also, speaking, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt said the best way to mourn the late Briggs was for the academy community to play their roles for the overall development of the country.
Responding, the son of the late Briggs, Nina thanked the academy community for standing strong for the Briggs family throughout the demise of their father.
He called on the community to stand up for the good part of his father’s life as to recede the darkness in the society.
“ My father is a human being, though we have private loss but now I can see that his loss is a communal loss to Nigeria, medical community and academy community.
“He touched lives in one way or the other within a little or wide window.
“ I will want us to find the element Nimi Briggs drop in you and amplify it. Let us stand up to something good so that the darkness in the society will recede.
“ That is the best legacy you can all give to him,” he said.
The Tide source reports that tributes were rolled in for the deceased from the Academy of Science, Academy of Medicine, College of Medicine and University of Lagos.
Other tributes were delivered from the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal and State universities.
Until his death on April 10, Briggs was the Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndifu Alike, the 5th Vice-Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
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.