News
Wigwe: Rivers Reps, Ogbakor Ikwerre Seek Probe Of Helicopter Crash
The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the United States Government and its relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the helicopter crash that killed the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son.
Also, the Rivers House of Representatives members called on the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in the country to join in the investigation.
Wigwe, alongside his wife and son died in a helicopter crash in California near the Nevada border, US, last Friday.
Leader of the caucus, Dunamenne Dekor, made the call in a statement he made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Monday.
The statement read, “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow as we extend our deepest condolences to the Wigwe family and loved ones during this distressing time.
“Dr Herbert Wigwe played a prominent role in the financial banking community, education and welfare.
“His leadership at Access Holdings Plc has left an indelible mark on the industry.
“As we mourn the loss of our son; a nationalist, lover of Rivers State, and visionary and compassionate leader, we take solace in the very remarkable impact he made in the financial sector, education, and particularly his philanthropic lifestyle and belief that the well-being of a people is the only thing that has intrinsic value.
“The Caucus is calling on the United States of America and its relevant agencies, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all relevant institutions and agencies of government to thoroughly investigate the cause of this ill-fated helicopter crash in California and make public its findings.
“We fervently hope that the authorities will successfully locate and provide the necessary support to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wigwe family and all those who have been impacted by this tragic event.”
Similarly, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, has threatened that the United States Government must unravel the actual cause of the death of erudite banker, businessman, Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holdings Plc, Dr. Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, who passed on in an helicopter crash in the United States on Friday night.
Onuekwa said the US Government must explain to Ikwerre people how and why Herbert Wigwe died with his wife and son in a chopper crash enroute Nevada from California.
Speaking at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler and Nye Nwe Ali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Wagor, on Monday, Onuekwa assured Isiokpo people that Ogbakor Ikwerre was behind them.
He said there must be an autopsy to verify the actual cause of his death, adding that Ikwerre people would not sleep until the actual cause of Herbert Wigwe’s death was made known.
Onuekwa also said that a day would be fixed for all Ikwerre sons and daughters to march the streets of Ikwerre land with black clothes, with all shops and offices closed.
He stated that after that, Ikwerre people would visit the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and ask him the next line of action before writing to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler and Nye Nwe Ali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Wagor, thanked members of Ogbakor Ikwerre for the condolence visit, saying that they would be involved in his burial plans.
He also permitted them to take any action that would benefit the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality as regards the cause of death of the late businessman.
He prayed God to bless them for this noble step and grant them journey mercies back to their various destinations.
In the entourage of the Ogbakor Ikwerre delegation to Isiokpo are members of the National Executive Committee of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Chapter representatives, the President of Ikwerre People’s Association (IPA), High Chief Monday Wehere, the President of Iwhuruohna Progressive Organization (IPO), Mr. Okachikwu Dibia, who was represented by Onyeche Igwe, and other well-meaning individuals of Ikwerre extraction.
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.