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Gov Fubara Tasks Youths On Useful Ideas To Drive Economic Prosperity
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that it is time for youths in the State to spend more time among themselves fine-tuning ideas they have cultivated on how to contribute productively to the economy instead of waiting to be employed in the public sector.
The Governor explained that jobs in the public sector are becoming less available, adding that with greater peace prevailing in the State, making it ripe for investors to explore its business climate, Rivers youths must be ready with ideas, skills and determination to engage critical players in order to benefit from it, directly or indirectly.
Governor Fubara, gave the charge when he received members of the Rivers State Youth Leaders’ Assembly, who were on a Solidarity Street Show-Rally in his honour, at Government House Gate in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, the Governor noted the commendable level of education acquired by most youths of the State, coupled with the moral training espoused to them by their parents but added that without the discipline of subjecting themselves to thinking out of the box on productive ideas that can be translated into economic gains, their potentials will remain untapped.
He said: “You have already subjected yourselves to the rigours of education. Not just education, you also have very good upbringing that has produced you to become wonderful people that you are.
”You have also queued behind the Governor, not out of compulsion. No one came to compel you. It’s time for us to sit down and have some sober reflection.
”Why are we now begging for arms now? There was a time you could just walk down to Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, and get something to do that could feed you for a week or two. What we have lost is what Governor Fubara wants to recover and recreate.
”Your ideas will be highly welcome by the Governor. You have to join him to make the Youth Resource Centre productive. This resource centre is going to be a place where youths will churn out ideas of what needs to be done to move the State to the next level. That place is where you need to go to contribute your quota to the development of the State.”
Governor Fubara explained the reason behind the Youth Resource Centre whose foundation has been laid, adding that it will cater to all youth development issues in the State, and also serve as reservoir of productive ideas from youths.
The Governor emphasised that the propelling vision of his administration for youths is to have a State that is reborn to reflect the dreams of the founding fathers who made sure there were productive industries and vibrant economy that offered varied opportunities to everybody.
He said, “the Governor has gone a step ahead, knowing that he is within the age bracket you define as youth. This is because he understands how you feel. He knows your pains, and where it pinches.
“That is why the Rivers State Youth Resource Centre is being built. It will be a youth development resource centre. So, be part of it, work to be active in that centre. The government expects useful ideas from thinking minds.
“So, we have hope because the youths that we have here today have something to offer. Come up with tangible ideas. What do you think that we can do? How can we create jobs for our people?”
He stated: “Let me tell you, I am an economist, and I know that government alone cannot create all the jobs. Government creates conducive environment for jobs to be created so that people can earn decent income.
“Just last week Wednesday and Thursday, we had Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit. Discussions were centred on how government can create an environment to woo investors to come to Rivers State. That is the journey we want you to be part of.”
In his address, leader of the delegation and Speaker of Rivers State Youth Leaders’ Assembly, Dr Prince Tonye Jeminimiema, said under the leadership of Governor Fubara, the State has witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic and human capital development.
Dr Jeminimiema also noted the unwavering commitment of the Governor to improve the lives of the citizenry, adding that they are resolved to continue to support his administration.
He said, “The achievements reflect your dedication to the comprehensive development of Rivers State and demonstrates a clear vision for a properous future.
“We, the members of the Rivers State Youth Leaders’ Assembly, are here today, not only to express our profound appreciation to you as our Grand Patron but also to seek your continued support in several critical areas that will further enhance our collective mission and vision.”
He listed some of the key areas of need, and pledged the determination of the youths to rally support for the Governor to ensure that his administration succeeds in delivering good governance to Rivers people.
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.