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Community Marks 34th Anniversary Of Monarch’s Reign
Oronijah Community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has rolled out the drums to celebrate the 34 years of the enthronement of its Paramount Ruler, King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork vii.
It would be recalled that King Ikan ascended the throne of his father as the Okaan Ama of Oronijah Town on the 28th of October, 1989.
A community source also told The Tide that the enthronement was without challenges as there were series of litigations which were eventually settled in favour of King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork.
Speaking with newsmen during the celebration, King Ikan said he was grateful to God for making him celebrate 34 years on the throne, stressing that at the time he was enthroned, the community was torn apart by factions but eventually all of them have collapsed by forming a united Oronijah Community.
“The whole factions of the community are now united and speaking with one voice”, he said.
Speaking on the development of the community, the traditional ruler said the greatest challenge facing Oronijah at the moment is lack of land.
He said the lack of available land has made it difficult for the area to develop, stressing that even the cost of building houses in the community is beyond the reach of the people because of the swampy nature of the island.
Ikan said the community’s primary and secondary schools have no teachers, while the Primary Health Centre, which is the only health institution in the community, is in dilapidated condition.
He further said the solar panels approved for the community by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the Andoni Local Government Council has not been fully installed and pleaded with the commission to ensure the community enjoys the benefits of the solar panels.
The traditional ruler used the occasion to call on both the Rivers and Federal Governments to come to the aide of Oronijah Town through: the reclamation of more land and shore protection.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Oronijah Town, Elder Tamuno G. Arunga, said the reign of King Ikan has brought peace and development to the community.
He said the community is more united now than before because of the leadership qualities of the paramount ruler, adding that King Ikan has ensured that no part of the community was neglected.
Assuring that the CDC will continue to work with the paramount ruler to promote peace in the area, Arunga used the occasion to call on the government to come to the aid of the community through the construction of shore protection to save the community from tidal erosion and reclaim more lands for the people.
Also speaking Elder Blessing Jackson Tiko, said the people are happy with their King.
He said King Ikan has for the past 34 years endeared himself to the people because of his humility.
“He is a peaceful and humble king. That’s why the people like him”, he said.
Tiko prayed God to grant the traditional ruler more years to reign over the community.
Also speaking, Women Leader of Oronijah Town, Mrs Helen Conerlius, said the women are happy with the manner in which King Bartholomew Ikan Egopyork has rule over the community for the past 34 years.
According to her, Oronijah is more united now than before, adding that the women are now speaking with one voice.
She said the women will continue to pray for long life for King Ikan to enable him take the community to greater height.
On his part, Engr Andason Otowo, a concerned youth of the community, said the youths are happy with the reign of their King.
Otowo said youths of Oronijah Town never allow cultism to thrive in the community because of the leadership qualities of its paramount ruler.
The celebration, which lasted for three days, was rounded up with a Thanksgiving service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Oronijah Town.
By: John Bibor
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.