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Support Of Rivers People Emboldens Us -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that one of the greatest and propelling reassurances emboldening his administration is the enormous support that Rivers people have continued to give unreservedly.
The Governor emphasised that such support has continued to be exemplified by the words, actions and pledges of loyalty and solidarity from royal fathers and other well-meaning people in the State.
Governor Fubara made the remarks during the post-election solidarity visit by members of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council (RSTRC), led by their Chairman, His Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Governor said that even if he knows of their support for his administration with what they had been doing in their domains, their visit provides a physical declaration that they are ready shoulders to lean on.
Governor Fubara stated: “Your coming to see us this afternoon is a reassurance that we are not standing alone.
“We have the Royal Fathers who control all the villages, and the communities, which make up the Rivers State, on our side. So, what else do I need to say? What else do I need to showcase to the world that we have the support of Rivers people?
“You are the Rivers, you are the leaders, you are the Kings, and you are the chiefs. You are the ones that control the locals that make up the entire State. So, I say thank you for coming to reassure this administration that you have our back.”
Governor Fubara stated the resolve of his administration never to engage in any acts of disrespect to the traditional institution in the State.
This is because, he emphasised, they are royal fathers who should serve as a uniting force for all their subjects, contribute to keeping Rivers State peaceful and ensure its progress.
He said, “I will assure you that as a government, we will continue to respect this institution. We will not do anything within our powers directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly to undermine any of you.
“If we have wronged you in any way, let me say, I’m sorry to you here. But I don’t think we will wrong you deliberately because you are our fathers,” he added.
Governor Fubara also commented on the just- concluded local government elections on the 5th October, 2024, which were largely peaceful and successful.
He said: “Election has come and election has gone. It is only God that made it possible. It is not myself, neither our calculations. It is God that made it work that way. So, we return all thanks to God and God alone.”
Governor Fubara also approved the release of official vehicles to the traditional rulers, directing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the monarchs to ensure that those who need the cars get theirs and those who need cash in its place will get what they want.
In his address, the Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council (RSTRC), His Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, said the Council, in an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024, reviewed some incidents in the State, and decided on the solidarity visit to the Governor.
The chairman, who is also the Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, said they considered the solidarity visit necessary to avail them the opportunity to speak to Rivers people, politicians, their supporters as well as non-indigenes in the State who are fanning the embers of war in Rivers from their self location outside the State.
He stated that in the past one year, the administration of Governor Fubara has committed the resources of State into necessary critical, physical infrastructure and human capital development projects.
Eze Wodo said: “The Council also noted with satisfaction, the government’s investment in the security of lives and property as evident in the equipment of the Nigeria Police and other security apparatuses for optional functionality.
“Members of Council wish to appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, for the peaceful manner in which he handled the political challenges created in the State by some disgruntled elements before, during and after the October 5, 2024 local government elections.
“The Council also commended residents of the State for listening to the Governor’s message of peace, and for being each other’s keeper during the just-concluded local government election, which was adjudged to be very peaceful even without security cover from the Nigerian Police.
“In view of the fore-going success stories, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has passed a vote of confidence on His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, and further stated Council’s resolve to continue to support the Governor in all his programmes and policies throughout his tenure.”
Eze Wodo also said that the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers is not happy with some unpatriotic but prominent sons and daughters of the State who are instigating and funding violence in the State.
He noted that as members of the Council, they had witnessed, sadly, some of the acts of violence perpetrated in the State in recent weeks, which were carried out in broad daylight while the security agencies looked the other way.
He said: “The Rivers State Council Traditional Rulers while thanking His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his stance of peace in Rivers State, call on him not to allow any person or group of persons to use his good name as a cover to continue to cause trouble in Rivers State.
“The President should not allow himself, his body language or those exercising part of the powers that flow from his Office to be seen as taking part in the seemingly unending political crises in Rivers State.
“The President should do everything necessary to keep Rivers State at peace in the interest of the nation. Let me at this point, once more, appeal to all parties to sheath their swords and work for peace, unity and prosperity of Rivers State because we have no other place to call home except Rivers State.”
In his speech, the Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Engr Charles Amadi, noted that the royal fathers are enormously delighted with the successes of the local government election in the State without police presence, which was free and fair.
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.
