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We’re Building Schools For Quality Learning, Not Cultism, Fubara Warns …As Okocha Commissions GCSS, Borokiri
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that schools in the state are for quality teaching and learning, and not breeding grounds for cultism.
He warned that any principal caught would not only be dismissed, but also arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to toe that path of dishonour.
The governor made this known at the commissioning of the remodelled Government Comprehensive Secondary School (GCSS), Borokiri in the old Port Harcourt township, yesterday.
He also bemoaned the practice of cultism among students, and warned that “our schools are for quality learning, not for cultists and brigandage.
He said his administration was committed to providing world class edifices that would inspire teachers to give their best in grooming students as he believes in education as the foundation for development and growth.
The governor said that this was necessary because education was the bedrock of development, progress, and greatness in every society.
Fubara noted that though the project was started by his predecessor, it has been completed by his administration by effectively deploying tax payers money for the good of Rivers people.
While charging the school authority to do everything possible to secure the facility, the governor enjoined the students to devote more time to their studies to become the best in their careers.
“Today, we have a world class edifice. We have an environment that makes you feel and appreciate learning, even our students will be happy to be in school. It will also encourage our teachers and spur them to put in their best.
“That was why the government at that time started it. When we came on board, we saw every reason to see that it was concluded and commissioned for the good of our people. Let me say it here, it should be a policy. Any principal found to be associated with cultism will be dismissed from service.
“Today’s event is very special because education is the foundation of development and greatness in the society.
“The project we are commissioning is anchored on something very important, which is, our promise to our people.
“The money we are using to do these works is not my money, it is your money, so we owe you the duty to continue to do those things that impact your lives positively and make our system better.
“The immediate past administration saw the need to embark on the remodeling of this great school that we completed, today we have a world class edifice. We will continue to consolidate on the gains of my predecessor,” he said.
The governor enjoined management and teachers of GCSS, Borokiri to own the project and keep it in good shape.
“I want to charge the school authorities to own these facilities, you should keep them in good shape. We did this for the wellness of the system.
“We have a problem in our school system and that problem is cultism among students. If you join cult when you are in primary or secondary school, by the time you get to the university, you have lost direction already.
“Please, I am begging you to shun cultism and other social vices because you are the future of our tomorrow, you are the ones that will take over from us,” the Governor added.
In his remarks while commissioning the project as the Special Guest of Honour, the former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his immediate predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike for embarking on the project, which he described as a legacy project.
Okocha noted that the present administration has transformed the school with quality structures and learning facilities that have become a source of envy and at the same time, inspiration to a generation of leaders.
“I have seen that this project is indeed a legacy project. I sincerely thank you Your Excellency and your immediate predecessor for this remarkable gesture. You have completely transformed this school,” he stated.
Providing the project description, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, maintained that the school facility consists of 24-classroom blocks, administrative block, library, science laboratory, ICT block, 500-capacity multi-purpose hall, and sport facilities.
The President of Comprehensive Old Boys Association, Dr. Noble Abe led the executive officers of the body to induct Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an honorary old boy of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt.
Abe expressed their appreciation to the state government for responding to their plea for intervention, and remodelled the structures at the school to make it a befitting learning institution.
Earlier, the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, had inaugurated Mgbuodohia community internal roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Fubara, who inaugurated the roads, last Monday, described it as a very special and important project.
“We are here today to bring alive the fulfilment of the promise that was made by the immediate past administration. As a government, our mantra is Consolidation and Continuity. We will continue to consolidate on every good project and noble idea initiated by our predecessors,” the governor said.
Providing the project description, the Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, maintained that Mgbuodohia internal roads link Olumeni-Epirikom Road and Nkpor Road.
“This road is a link road linking Olumeni-Epirikom Road and Nkpor Road. The total length of the road is 5.2 kilometres. There are drains along the entire stretch of the road,” the commissioner added.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Lubrik Construction Company, Hadi Chehade, asserted that the construction firm completed the project according to the standard and specifications.
He thanked the people of Mgbuodohia in Rumuolumeni for their cooperation.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.