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You’ve Shown Courage In Defence Of Rivers, Fubara Tells Sen Mbata …As He Marks 65th Birthday
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described Senator John Azuta Mbata, who previously represented Rivers East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, as an amazing and outstanding leader who had not shied away standing on the side of truth in defence of Rivers State.
Governor Fubara made the remark when he paid a visit to Senator Mbata, who hosted him and some leaders of the State on his 65th birthday at his residence along Nwanuna Street, Mgbuoba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Friday.
The Governor said it takes a man of integrity and love for the State to stand on the path of truth, describing Senator Mbata as such a person because of his love for the continual progress of the State.
He said, “As we join to mark this day with you, I want you to know that we appreciate your support for us. It takes a man who has integrity, not the one that will hear when people are talking publicly, but the real one to stand on the path of truth, and you have shown it in this State. We appreciate that.
“We want to also assure you that we will continue to work with you, to support you to make sure that in this State together, we will get to that Promised Land.”
Governor Fubara described Sen Mbata as a very rear person who, in the midst of his splendor, not only of the wealth he inherited but also those acquired by dint of hard work, have continued to show humility.
The Governor said: “No wonder, whoever crosses your path always have positive things to say. I want to wish you good health and more blessings. You know David (of the Bible) was blessed that even in his old age, he was still receiving a lot of honours.
“So, I want the blessings of God that added no sorrow to continue to be your portion. To the family, Daddy is marking his birthday. He has lived a good life: life with reputation; so that people will also make reference just like they make to that of his father. Let it also be so with his own children. Make him proud.”
Governor Fubara also proposed the toast, and wished the celebrant good health and longevity of life.
Highlights of the occasion were the cutting of the 65th birthday cake and intercessory prayers offered by the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus.
The Governor was joined at the event by Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie; members of House of Representatives: Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Boniface Emerengwa, Anderson Igbiks, Umezuruike Manuchim; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOTs), Sen Adolphus Wabara; Sen Bennett Birabi; Senator Lee Maeba; former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus; former Transport Minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo; Chief Theodore Georgewill; Chief Ambrose Nwuzi; Chief Orits Oyiri; Chief Mike Elechi; Dr Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja; some members of State Executive Council; some Local Government Council chairmen; and other top politicians and political office holders, among others.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.
The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.
Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.
“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.
“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.
Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.
According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.
“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.
“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.
Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.
“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.
Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.
He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.
“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.
“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.
The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.
Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.
He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”
Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.
On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.
“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.
“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.
After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.
They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.