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Rivers Assembly Screens, Confirms Five Commissioner-Nominees
The Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday, at its 82nd Sitting, screened and confirmed the nomination of Mr. Ben Chioma, Dr. Gift Worlu, Mr. Victor Kii, Mr. Joseph Johnson, and Mr. Prince Isaac Umejuru as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
This is sequel to a letter read on the Floor of the House, which was forwarded to the House by the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, praying the House to screen and confirm the nominees, pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
Screening the nominees, the House grilled them on what and how they intend to contribute to the development of state.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, advised the nominees to commit and dedicate themselves to the service of the state; adding that it is a huge privilege given to them at this time to contribute their quota in the development of the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Empowerment and Employment, and member representing Ahoada West Constituency in the Assembly, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, congratulated Prince Isaac Umejuru on his successful screening and confirmation as a commissioner- designate by the 10th Assembly.
The lawmaker expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for finding Prince Umejuru worthy to serve in the State Executive Council as a commissioner.
He further noted that as a loyal and committed party man who has previously served as a Caretaker Committee (CTC) chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, and in several other capacities, Umejuru was eminently qualified to function as a commissioner and confident that he would do well in his assignment.
“To my dear brother and friend, I wish to congratulate you on behalf of my family on your successful screening and confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
“This nomination is no doubt a testament of your loyalty, respect and commitment to the growth and development of our great party PDP,” he stated.
Also, the member representing the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency 2, Hon. Nkemjika Ijeoma Ezekwe, felicitated with Umejuru on his nomination and successful screening as a member of the State Executive Council, urging him to give his best in providing leadership for the people.
The lawmaker, who is the chairperson, House Committee on Social Welfare and Rehabilitations, expressed joy at the maturity and stability of mind displayed by members, especially during the screening and confirmation of the nominees.
She expressed belief that Umejuru would strengthen synergy among the ministries to actualise public policies designed to provide opportunities for development and growth among other ministries and local government areas, considering his antecedents in politics, business and experience.
The Assembly member wished Umejuru and other confirmed commissioners- designate the very best on their new assignments for better and prosperous River State.
Similarly, the member representing Khana Constituency 1 in the Assembly, Hon. Barile Austine Nwakoh, also expressed satisfaction that Governor Fubara chose Mr. Victor Barikpoamene Kii, as a commissioner-designate from her constituency.
She commended the governor for considering Kii for the appointment, and hailed him for his contributions to the development of the constituency in particular and Rivers State as a whole.
In a statement, yesterday, Nwakoh expressed optimism that Kii’s appointment would be a veritable opportunity for him to bring his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in the discharge of his duties as a commissioner in the state.
She stated that: “Mr. Kii is a seasoned technocrat whose pedigree and achievements in the private sector are well-known within and outside the state. His appointment is not only well-deserved but a testimony to the commitment of the government to ensuring that only those with the requisite skills, knowledge and experience are appointed into positions of trust.”
Nwakoh, while congratulating Kii on his appointment, called on the people of Khana Constituency 1 to support him in his new role as a commissioner-designate.
She also reassured the people of her constituency of her continued commitment to attracting development projects and programmes that would enhance the standard of living of the people.
The lawmaker wished Kii a successful tenure as a commissioner, urging him to work hard to contribute positively to the development of Rivers State.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.