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God, Who Brought Me To Office Is Also Keeping Me, Says Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says it is God that is upholding his administration and he will not disappoint the people of Rivers State God has charged him to watch over.
Speaking as Special Guest during the 100 years centenary celebration of the First African Church Mission, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Old Port Harcourt Township, yesterday, Governor Fubara admitted that as an ardent believer in Christ and Knight of the Church of Nigeria, he would remain focused to provide dedicated good services to Rivers people..
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said, “I congratulate you for 100 years of contributing to the development of Rivers State; and serving and working for the body of Christ.
“As a knight and ardent believer in Christ, I truly appreciate your efforts in the spiritual, moral and physical growth and development of the state. We are aware that what is sustaining this government is the grace and power of God. I am conscious of the fact that it is the grace of God that first brought me to office and also keeping me. That is why I am looking onto God to do what he has sent me to do in Rivers State,” he noted.
He stressed that most of the agitations by the former LGA chairmen, the former House of Assembly members and their cronies are mere detractors work aimed at distracting him.
“We are aware of these attempts to make us lose focus so when 2027 comes, they would say, what has he achieved?
“But I am focused on God and focused to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers. I am focused to ensure the cardinal goals of this administration within the next four years are achieved – in education, healthcare, agriculture, housing and infrastructural development”, he maintained.
The Governor noted that he will not spent the people’s resources to over celebrate the evidence of works done but rather will allow the people observe and testify of the quiet revolution of development in state.
“Only on Friday, we flagged off the smart Port City in Eleme LGA to resuscitate the Garden City effect in other parts of the state as well as the TAF City under construction at the corridors of the international airport. I assure you that in addition to developments in health care, education, agriculture, infrastructure and others, we will develop new cities that benefit all Rivers people.
“Our request from you is to keep praying for the Governor, the government and the state. We know that it is the prayer of the faithful that is sustaining the government and we will not be tired as you keep praying. The mandate given to us will be used judiciously.
The Governor supported the celebration with a token of ¦ 30 million for the construction of support offices by the Church.
The Primate of the First African Church Mission, His Eminence, Most Rev. Sunday Matilukuro, speaking from a sermon titled, ‘A New Song’, said God is always ready to do new things in the lives of His children, adding that whenever a new thing happens in the life of man, a new song often emerges.
He admonished the Church to contribute their innovative ideas as well as step up their commitment and dedication as a foundation to be remembered like the founding fathers who laid a legacy for everyone to enjoy now.
“The founding fathers Rev. G. A. Oke, Bro. Fenibo Brown and Bro Stephen Ugoji Jaja, played prominent roles in 1923/1924 which culminated into the founding of this place, then UNA Holy Trinity Parish. The three of them have gone to be with the Lord, many others built upon the foundation they laid, that is why you and I are here today to celebrate the end of a century and to thank God for seeing us to the beginning of another century. What are you going to contribute to ensure the church grows more and more in the second century?”, he asked.
Speaking to the Governor, he admonished him to remain bold and courageous and keep doing the will of God.
“Joshua 1:3-8, says, be bold and courageous. Keep doing the will of God. Rule with the fear of God, you will surmount all the obstacles ahead of you. All the mountains standing on his way, God will destroy them. Be bold and courageous. It is God that takes one to the top and brings another down. This is a new beginning”, he emphasized.
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.
