News
Suspected thugs attack protesters, journalists in Asaba
Suspected thugs, yesterday, attacked some residents of Asaba, taking part in the peaceful nationwide hunger protest and four journalists covering the street march by the protesters.
The journalists, who were manhandled by the thugs, included Mathew Ochei of the Punch, Monday Osayande of the Guardian, the Pointer reporter, Lucy, and an Asaba-based investigative journalist, Amour Udemude.
The protesters accused the State Government of hiring the thugs “to disrupt the protest”.
The Tide source reports that the protest, which started around 10 am, was initially peaceful.
It later turned violent when the thugs arrived at about 11:20 and started attacking and dispersing the protesters, while the security operatives deployed to ensure that the action was not hijacked by hoodlums allegedly watched.
Narrating his experience, the Punch reporter said that the thugs hit him in the neck.
“They smashed our phones on the ground after they insisted that we must delete the photos and records before they would leave us.
“The policemen on ground folded their hands and watched as we were violently attacked by the thugs.
“It took the intervention of soldiers, who arrived at the scene, to rescue us.
“This was after the Pointer Newspaper reporter, Lucy, who was also attacked by the thugs, rushed to the soldiers for help,” Ochei said.
It was further learnt that after the attack, the policemen opened teargas to disperse the protesters around 12:20 pm at the Inter Bua Roundabout on the Okpanam Road.
The Tide source further reports that the protest, which started with two young men carrying placards, later drew no fewer than 50 other protesters carrying placards with the inscription, #EndBadGovernance#, hardship everywhere, hunger in the land”, among others.
One of the protesters, Gibson Umunna, told The Tide source that he was compelled to join the protest due to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
“I am here to join the protest because I am a victim of the harsh economic reality facing the citizens.
“Citizens are living in despair, no food, no security, no job, and to worsen it all, petrol price skyrocketed in a nation of abundant resources,” Umunna said.
In a reaction, the Delta Government denied the allegation that it sponsored the thugs that attacked the protesters and journalists covering the action.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, told newsmen that “there is no iota of truth that the thugs were sponsored by the State Government”.
Osuoza said that the administration of Gov. Sherrif Oborevwori had nothing against the protest and never made any plan nor arrangement to stop it.
“We are very sorry for this unfortunate incident.
“The State Government has no hand in the attack and no one sent the attackers.
“As a government, we want to express our heartfelt condolences over this attack on journalists.
“Also, the PDP did not send anybody to disrupt the protest, because I called the PDP chairman and he confirmed there was no such plan to stop the protest by the party.
“Even the state governor himself is never a violent man.
“The government has no business in disrupting the protest because by law, the citizens have a right to protest.
“Our only concern and prayer is that the protest should not be hijacked and turned violent. We are sorry for the whole incident.
Also, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Festus Ahon, expressed dismay over the media reports linking the State Government with the attack on journalists.
“Let me put the record straight, the attackers were not sponsored by the State Government nor the state PDP.
“They went there on their own, may be out of over zealousness.
“The State Government has no hand in what happened and we condemn the attack in its entirety,” Ahon said.
When contacted, the Spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, said he was not aware of the incident because he was not at the scene.
“I cannot say what actually happened during the protest because I was not there,” Edafe said.
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.