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Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accepted the pledge of loyalty from the member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Boniface Emerengwa.
Fubara said that his government would never be distracted from delivering on its promises to Rivers people.
The Governor made the commitment when he received the ranking member of the House of Representatives, who visited the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday evening, to show solidarity and support to him.
Hon. Emerengwa hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also includes Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, and Emohua.
The federal lawmaker explained that he was throwing his total support and loyalty to Fubara’s administration because it was undisputable that the governor is both the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State.
Elected House of Representatives member in 2015, Emerengwa said he had come to the realisation that it was unnecessary and futile to continue to struggle and fight over who controls the party and leads the State when the party and the nation’s Constitutions were clear on the issue.
He pledged to mobilise thousands of his supporters in his constituency and lead them to join the governor in his efforts of take the State to heights of sustained peace and development.
The former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council said that Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Governor Fubara.
He said, having secured electorial victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Fubara has become the Number One Citizen of the State as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that only the blind will not see the giant strides Governor Fubara was already making in various sectors of the State, adding that the best way to assist the State grow as Rivers people was to support the Governor in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the State.
Hon Emerengwa was accompanied to the Government House by three other House of Representatives members, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, who are Fubara’s strong supporters.
This new pledge of allegiance is coming in the wake of a flurry of resignations of elected politicians across the local government areas, who have vowed to support Governor Fubara to succeed.
Notable among them is the Leader of Obio/Akpor Legislative Council and Councillor representing Ward 9, Rt. Hon. Achor Prince Nna, who resigned on March 7.
Obio/Akpor Ward 9 covers Rumuepirikom and Elioparanwo communities, two critical power blocks in Obio/Akpor and the State.
According to Nna, “This resignation is hitherto borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers State… My Chairman, I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers State in tune with the SIMplified Movement.”
On March 18, Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and member representing Obio/Akpor Ward 17, Hon Newman Ogbonda, also resigned to join the Simplified Movement.
Obio/Akpor Ward 17 includes Rumuolumeni, Mgbuosimini, Nkpor, Mgbuodohia, Azumini, Minikpiti and Mgbuakara communities.
In his letter, Ogbonda said, “I officially write to resign my position as the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to clear my good conscience and to align myself with the Administration of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State and his vision to better the State.”
Ogbonda’s action followed the resignation on March 17 of the President General of Akpor Consultative Assembly, Chief (Barrister) Hanny Woko, a powerful politician from the area, to pitch tent with Governor Fubara’s Government and the SIMplified Movement.
Also on March 20, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare in Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Dr Ipalibo Jenberetoa George, resigned his position to join the Simplified Movement.
According to him, “I have taken this decision in view of my firm belief that throwing full weight behind the Administration of the genial, humane and prople-oriented Administration of the Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is the absolute best way to go at this point in the development of Rivers State and in the light of the challenges she currebtly faces.”
It would be recalled that Hon Emerengwa is an accomplished lawyer and politician, who was a former Ikwerre Local Government Chairman between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2002, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
He had served as Ward Councilor between January 1, 1987 and January 1, 1990; and Council Secretary between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1999.
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.