Politics
Fubara Commiserates With Kalabari Kingdom As Late Amanyanabo’s Final Burial Rites Begin
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has commiserated with the people of Kalabari Kingdom as the final rites of passage of the late Amanyanabo of the Kingdom, His Serene Majesty, (Prof) T.J.T Princewill, Amachree X1 commenced.
The Governor who expressed his deepest condolences to the Kalabari people during a visit by the Central Burial Committee of the revered monarch, and members of ‘Kalabari Sekobiri’ ,led by the Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr Charles Numbere Princewill, in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, assured of the full support of the Rivers State Government in the burial.
Governor Fubara who affirmed his Ijaw identity, took a swipe against those contending that Opobo was not part of the Ijaw nation. He pointed out that the Ijaws, by nature, shared a common attribute in their ancestry, particularly in their trade lines and networks, stating that they were never subservient but always resolute, bold, courageous and firm in any circumstances.
“You can’t talk about the Ijaw struggle without the Opobo, Bonny and Kalabaris.
We had our trade lines at that time and for you to occupy a trade line, it means you’re a true Ijaw man. I’m a full blooded Ijaw man, even in my bones”, Gov. Fubara said.
He commended the burial committee for their commitment towards giving the late monarch and patriarch a befitting burial, and assured that his administration will fullfil all the promises made to Rivers people.
“Every promises that we’ve made to our people will be redeemed. I’ve one belief in life, as a person, I believe it’s only the will of God that will prevail in every circumstances”, he said.
In his remark, the Regent of Kalabari Kingdom, Dr Charles Numbere Princewill said the visit was to notify the Governor of the burial of the late Amayanabo and formally invite him to attend the burial on the 30th of November, 2023, at Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area.
The Regent who traced the traditional relationship between Kalabari and Opobo people as intimate, wished the Governor a successful tenure in office.
He said the people of Kalabari Kingdom were fully in support of Governor Fubara’s policy on the creation of new cities in the state to decongest the monolithic City status of Port Harcourt.
On his part, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, described Governor Fubara as a lover of Kalabari Kingdom who has demonstrated commitment towards ensuring the wellbeing of the people.
The SSG thanked the Governor for the audience and his support to the burial of the late Kalabari Monarch.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also on Friday, paid a condolence visit to his Delta State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori at his country home in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, over the death of his mother-in-law.
The Rivers State Governor described the late matriarch, Mama Agnes Avwenyotoma Tager, as a virtuous woman who lived a worthy life and urged the governor and his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori to take solace in the good life their late mother lived.
Governor Fubara also used the occasion to congratulate Governor Oborevwori on his victory at the Court of Appeal which affirmed his electoral victory, and wished him the grace to dispense good governance to the people of Delta State.
By: Taneh Beemene
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby