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RIV-CARES: Fubara Partners World Bank, BOI To Empower 3,700 SMEs

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Rivers State Government in collaboration with World Bank and Bank of Industry has deployed N19 billion to stimulate the economy of the State, thereby empowering 3,700 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
This was made known by the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Peter Medee at the 2024 SMEs disbursement ceremony for phase 3 beneficiaries of Rivers State COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus (RIV-CARES), Result Area 3, organised by the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.
The Commissioner who is also the Chairman, State CARES Steering Committee (SCSC), commended the governor of the state, for what he called a kind and enterprising heart.
Medee noted that the governor has made many moves towards poverty alleviation and promotion of Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the State, adding, “all the money that need to get into the economy is sent straight into the economy. The result is the number of beneficiaries we have here today.
“It shows the governor is committed, dedicated and interested in stimulating the economy of Rivers State. Our target is to grow businesses in the State. The beneficiaries will start receiving their grants this week”.
The Commissioner also launched the MSMEs Portal (https://rivbusiness.ng/), stating that Result Area 3 has indeed gone digital in processing business data and procedures.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Lawson Renner Ikuru said RIV- CARES, Result Area 3 has benefitted 3,700 entrepreneurs as against the initial target of 2,700 entrepreneurs.
He noted that the intention is to “improve productivity, reduce unemployment and reduce youth restiveness.
The Perm Sec. congratulated the beneficiaries for scaling through the fair and transparent process set up by the world Bank and Bank of Industry, their partners, noting that technical heads of State CARES and RIV-CARES have worked tirelessly to make the programme a success.
He charged the beneficiaries to ensure they invest the grant to grow their businesses, adding that invested fund can yield money for enjoyment tomorrow.
Ikuru however warned against those impersonating to defraud the poor, stating that the Ministry would always fight against evil.
The Technical Head, State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU), Mrs. Imaonyani Ephraim-George said the launched portal would provide opportunity for database for whatever businesses people are transacting in the State.
Ephraim-George reiterated that the has done well in this national, world and state collaboration grant programme because “Governor Fubara has been passionate about the well-being of his citizens.
“Rivers State came 7th in terms of having reached to the beneficiaries across the nation and getting returns for investment by the entrepreneurs”, he said.
In her welcome address, the Technical Head, RIV-CARES Result Area 3, Mrs. AmieyeIgein Sally expressed satisfaction that the objective of the programme has been met, adding that the programme is still ongoing.
Mrs. Amieyelgein while responding to questions from pressmen said the process has also been gender sensitive, noting the need for beneficiaries to make use of the knowledge gainered from the training during the ceremony.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Peckinson Ikhajiangbe, the Manager of Providence Properties International, said the programme was very impactful and has alleviated the burden of the common man.
He commended the transparency in the system and said he never believes it is a reality until today, noting that his business is already heading to the next level.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Oladimeji Kusimo of KUSH Medical Laboratories Limited , expressed his happiness for scaling through the process, adding that the grant will position his company to do better.
He noted that the machines given to him has already projected his laboratory to go digital.
The highlights of the ceremony were the technical training sessions, the giving out of the dummy cheques, the digital systems, like laptops, phones, POS and other materials.

Lilian Peters

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Rivers Judiciary Denise Media Reports On Issuing Judgement Sacking SOLAD

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied claims of media reports circulating online that a judge of its High Court issued a ruling in favour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara against former Governor Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu, there by sacking the sole Administrator of the state, vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi yesterday in Port Harcourt, described the purported report as false and misleading, particularly for linking a judge of the State High Court, Justice Boma Diepirii, to a ruling that reportedly came from a Federal High Court.

According to the statement, Justice Boma Diepirii is a Judge of the Rivers State High Court and not of the Federal High Court and currently on Easter Vacation, which commenced on Monday, 14th April.

The Chief Registrar further clarified that the Federal High Court and the State High Court are separate entities, stressing that “the inclusion of Justice Diepiri’s name in the fabricated report underscores the crass ignorance of the author.”

“The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a fake news report alleging that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, delivered a judgment sacking the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. This is false in its entirety,” the statement read.

“Justice Diepiri is a judge of the High Court of Rivers State, not of the Federal High Court as was falsely reported”.

” Additionally, His Lordship is currently on Easter vacation which began on Monday, April 14, 2025, Ihua-Maduenyi stated.

The statement however advised the general public and members of the media to always cross checked information concerning the judiciary before publishing and as well disregard the said report in its entirety as its an embodiment of falsehood and fabricated story.

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Senate Passes Bill For Establishment Of University In Abia

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The Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical  and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi

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South East Caucus Kicks As  Senate Rejects  Nwosu’s Immortalisation

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South East Caucus of the Senate has  appealed to President   Bola Ahmed Tinubu  to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu  considering his commitment  to achieving a  practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly  angered by the  Senate’s  rejection of the  need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent  1993 elections  stormed out of the Senate Chambers   and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South),  as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said  late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous  national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite  history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .

Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi

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