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Let’s Make Rivers More Attractive For Tourism Investors, Fubara Tells FTAN, Others
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has challenged practitioners in the entertainment industry on the need to have robust events’ calendar that is attractive to investors and capable of driving the tourism sector in the State to enviable heights.
Governor Fubara made the challenge when some tourism enthusiasts and entertainment industry practitioners embarked on a Peace Walk as part of activities to mark 2024 World Tourism Day on September 27, with the theme: ‘Tourism and Peace.’
Governor Fubara, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, received the group under the aegis of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
The Governor said there are abundance of tapped and untapped tourism potentials in the State, adding that the determination of the administration is to drive the already enunciated policy in a manner that will largely domesticate and also attract entertainment activities and other related tourism events to the State.
Governor Fubara said much of what can be achieved depends on the practitioners, who must take advantage of the secure, peaceful environment in incubating more tourism-induced ideas and engage with willing investors and promoters, just as they insist to have those activities done in the State.
He said, “I know that the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is also working very hard to ensure that all the principles that His Excellency stands for are being put into practical use.
“We cannot reinvent the will, you already know all the ingredients that are needed for tourism to thrive in this State. All I can say is that you have to bring out ideas that will make for the right advice so that the government will continue to create the right environment for you.
“So, go out, fish in more investors for us. Because, when you talk about tourism, this part of the country has a lot of potentials for tourism, and many of them are still untapped. I believe that you know what to do to ensure that people will come and invest in these areas.
“It will not just be ordinary investments. These must be investments that would create jobs and mop up some of the people that are not employed now,” he said.
Governor Fubara also urged them to be more deliberate in creating the platform that will encourage the showcasing of upcoming talents in Port Harcourt who will require such nudging to blossom.
The Governor pointed to how Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt, had served as nurturing place for most celebrated stars in the movie, music and other areas of the entertainment industry.
He emphasised, “You have to create a platform where we have to still discover new talents in the music industry of all genres. We have to create a platform where some of the things you go to do in Lagos could be comfortably done here cheaper and you will be able to even have very robust base here in Port Harcourt.”
Governor Fubara, who wished them well as they get set to celebrate World Tourism Day, urged the conglomeration of all associations in the industry, to continue to engage in acts that promote the peace.
He urged them to do so by their conduct and activities as exemplified by Governor Fubara, who is now the highest definition of peace, srressing that this is why Port Harcourt has continued to remain one of the hottest spots for tourism.
He explained, “We have a Governor that wants to ensure that every part of this State is peaceful, and that you can see from all his actions, from all his utterances, from his personal conducts in doing the government business.
“I want to thank those of you that are operating here in Rivers State under the different umbrella and associations, and assure you that all that is needed to promote tourism will be made available to you,” he noted.
In his speech, the Director of Tourism in the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kenule Kobo, explained that the Peace Walk is a pre-World Tourism Day activity designed to create awareness and mobilise the people to key into policy frameworks to promote and boost tourism in the State.
Mr Kobo said they are particularly impressed with the peaceful disposition of Governor Fubara, who has become the symbol of peace in the nation.
He said, “And today, the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism thought it wise that we should organise this walk despite all odds, to preach peace, talk peace, practice peace, dance peace, and laugh peace.
“All the people you see here Sir, they are with us, and they have come to celebrate the World Tourism Day. Tomorrow is the World Tourism Day proper, but today, we hyped it to say we will move around to create awareness of peace. We started it from Garrison up unto Station Bus-Stop, and round before coming here to meet with you our father.
“And today, we are here Sir, to celebrate the World Tourism Day with you, preaching peace to every nooks and crannies of Rivers State, led by our able Permanent Secretary, Barrister Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma”, he added.
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.