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WE’RE WATCHERS OVER AFFAIRS OF RIVERS – FUBARA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that he will make a difference with the sterling leadership that is being provided as a watcher over the affairs of the State, and not as one who merely craves for absolute power to control the people of the State.
The Governor explained that those who seek absolute control get obsessed with power, become ruthless and delightfully trample on the rights and liberty of people they should ordinarily dedicate themselves to serve.But Governor Fubara said he will continue to watch over the affairs of State entrusted in his care with the fear of God, and make Rivers people truly proud of his time of service.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the baby dedication service in honour of the family of Mr and Mrs Henry Wordu at the Royal House of Grace International Church in Rumueme Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.
He said, “For us, by the special grace of God, He has placed us, today, to watch over the affairs, not to control, but watch over the affairs of this State. I am not controlling, but watching the affairs; and I will watch through the fear of God.
“I will watch, understanding that one day, I will leave and account for the way I had watched over the affairs for all of us,” he said.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “It’s when you are of the mind of controlling power, that you will become obsessed. But when you are watching, you know that one day, you will leave and another will take over.
“So, I will watch with the fear of God, and I will make everyone of you proud. I will make a difference in leadership, and that difference will be to give everybody the opportunity to be free in this State,” he added.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the church for its fervent prayers, which is the reason why his administration is still standing strong and daring to implement impactful policies and programmes that advance the progress and growth of the State.
The Governor said no single man is more powerful than God to thwart divine purpose because, according to him, the hearts of kings are willed to any direction by God to do His biddings.
Governor Fubara asserted that no administration in the State has ever been subjected to the ordeals it is experiencing but stressed that the confidence to pull through is rooted by the spirit to stand in the strength of God continually.
He emphasised, “No man is more powerful than God. And even the heart of that wicked and heartless man or whatever you want to call it, it is even in the palm of God’s hand.
“It’s like a water that God turns in directions He wants. So, it’s only God that will continue to help us. And I know that He will lead us to a successful end.”
Governor Fubara further said: “And I am here to say thank you, first for all your prayers. A good number of you don’t even know me, have not seen me, have not had any personal contact with me, but from the time God showed His mercy upon us, you have always prayed for us, wish us well, and your prayers have always been answered by God.
“We are only standing because of your prayers. What we have gone through in this State, no previous government had gone through it. But it is only God that has made us still standing. Not just standing, but standing in the strength of God.
“It is only God and God alone. Without God, it won’t and will never be possible. So, I want to thank the Almighty God for showing His mercy, His grace that none of us even merit, but He poured it on us abundantly.”
Governor Fubara explained that he is at the church service to identify with Mr Wordu, who is a wonderful and great personality, and also to be part of the dedication of their baby to God.
The Governor noted that the beginning of life of any child is better started from the altar of God in act of dedication, making pronouncements and friends making the promise to join in the upbringing, provision of spiritual guidance and physically tend the child to grow into responsible adult.
He noted, “So, we are here to join everyone to make the promise that we will continue to pray for this baby. We will physically support the upbringing of this child in the fear of God and in the understanding of the workings of God in the lives of everyone.
“Nothing happens without God. He is a perfect designer. Before anything happens, He knows the end from the beginning. He already knows where he is going.
“It’s important you understand who a successful father is. A successful father is not measured by the wealth, money, houses, but when you are surrounded by worthy children.
“So, my prayer is that this baby will grow to bring honour to the Henry’s family; to bring honour to this church; to bring honour to this State; and bring honour to our country, Nigeria.”
Governor Fubara, who urged the church to continue to pray for his administration because God has already taken charge, said Rivers State and its people are truly liberated by God.
The Governor, while assuring of upholding what is right and just for the interest of the State, on behalf of the State Government, donated the sum of N100million support to the church.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, noted that Governor Fubara means well for the State, adding that he will continue to make progress in his governance over Rivers State.
General Musa also noted the huge defence task undertaken by the Nigerian military to ensure sustained security of the country, and assured that they will not relent in that responsibility.
In his speech, General Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, said no plan can ever understand the plans of God and how He accomplishes them.
He added that this is why God will continue make detractors dumbfounded with the successes Governor Fubara has recorded within one year in office.
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.