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A New Rivers Begins From Now -Fubara …As 23 Newly Elected LG Chairmen Take Oath Of Office …Gov Fubara Charges Them To Be Servant Leaders
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that with the Local Government Council election now over, the State has now entered into a season of transformation where democracy will not only thrive but the people shall witness delivery of democratic dividends that satisfy their aspirations.
The Governor acknowledged with great delight the support of Rivers people in the fight to salvage the Local Government system in the State as, according to him, it was at the precipice of doom because of the activities of some distractive political forces that wanted a grip on it.
Governor Fubara made the remark while charging the newly sworn-in 23 chairmen that emerged from the just-concluded Rivers State Local Government election, at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
He said that the pressure to destroy the Local Government system in Rivers State became intense three days before Election Day when an attempt was made to invade the Headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The Governor said, “But the truth remains, desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local government of this State was heading to doom.
“And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this State, we must salvage the local government election.
“And what we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government council. And to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted.”
Governor Fubara said with the elections now over, the remainder of the years in office, his administration will not deploy any form of undemocratic ways to confront or fight anybody.
He assured that, rather, he will continue to use the means of peace to ensure that the assets of Rivers State are protected.
He said, “We assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be party to anything that will lead to breakdown of law and order in this State.
“This is because we know quite alright that if there is breakdown of law and order in this State, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”
Governor Fubara charged the newly sworn-in chairmen to ensure that they remain connected with the people in their council areas.
He urged them to emulate his approach to peace so that they can be more patient with people and the situation without being violent.
He added, “For the newly sworn-in Chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as emperor, that is where the problem begins. Once you see yourself as the one who knows it all because of the power of the fund available to you, that is where you will start seeing crisis.
“But see this opportunity as a call to service. It is an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers State. We need development in the 23 local government areas.”
Governor Fubara said a few things may have happened in terms of provision of critical infrastructure and other levels of development, but added that more needed to be done.
He stated the need why they should see themselves as ambassadors of good leadership, and truly be well disposed to representing their people as their elected officers.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “Represent them well. Work for the betterment of your local government. Ensure that you are a servant leader. Open your doors, embrace everyone, and I assure you, that nothing is bigger and greater than that.
“That is the structure. When you work for the people, when you bring them in, when you help them, there is nothing bigger than that. So, that will be the ingredient of this administration.”
Governor Fubara said he is aware that his detractors are mobilising 20 people per political unit, instructed to attack them when they report to their various council secretariats to resume duties.
The Governor, however, advised the chairmen not to confront the situation, should it happen or fight anybody.
He noted, “Please, if they are coming with violence, avoid them. The peace of this State is too important to us. It is public knowledge, everybody knows what they are planning. But please, I want to beg everyone of you, follow my approach. At the right time, you will always win, if you are patient and calculative.”
Governor Fubara also said that his administration had made promises to Rivers people that they will be led to the Promised Land of greater development in an egalitarian society where everybody is equal.
The Governor urged them to key into that commitment, which will help them to work with so much enthusiasm as if the government will be ending the next day.
Governor Fubara warned them against greed and the urge to amass wealth indiscreetly because the tendency to getting everything will make them lose everything.
He added, “You must ensure that this opportunity God has given you at this critical time is protected. Don’t fail Him. Don’t fail these elders that have come here to witness this ceremony.
“We want this to be a landmark. This is the beginning of a new Rivers State, and I am going to make sure that I supervise it with all that I have.
“I will follow up with whatever is happening in the 23 local governments with everything because I believe this is not a time for me to make any mistake.”
Governor Fubara also said: “You must live above board. But I know with what you have done, your past responsibilities, and a few of you that I know personally, you are not going to disappoint us.
“We are doing this today for the world, and for Nigerians to know that the issue of local government election, swearing in, and resumption of office in Rivers State is over.
“So, maybe from tomorrow, the story may be different, not anymore: it can’t happen or it will be stopped. What we are talking about now is a different story.”
Governor Fubara said he feels so overwhelmed with joy with the feat achieved given what the State has been made to go through.
While expressing gratitude to God who has remained as an abiding strength, courage and sustainer, Governor Fubara appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his democratic approach while giving the government support.
He explained: “So, on behalf of the good people of Rivers State, I want to thank him (President Tinubu).
“I am so glad that the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum of PDP, and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, is here with us to witness the ceremony. I want to assure you that I still remain a member of PDP,” Governor Fubara 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.
