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Only APC Can Sustain CARNIRIV – Gov …Okrika LGA Sweeps Prizes ‘Rivers Now Tourism Hub’
Governor Chibuike Amaechi has called on the people of the state to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) if they want to continue enjoying the gains of the annual CARNIRIV festival.
Speaking after participating in the free style street parade on Saturday in Port Harcourt in company of APC gubernatorial candidate, Hon Dakuku Peterside and other top functionaries of government, Amaechi said, “I believe APC will win and will not allow what happened to old CARNIRIV to happen.
The governor who is from APC will sustain this tempo and will win and another APC governor will continue, because APC must produce that governor that understands the pains of the people.”
Amaechi expressed optimism that the programme has achieved the vision for which it was set up.
He said, the crowd excitement and participation shows that the people have embraced the festival and would want an incoming APC government to sustain the tempo, “the level of chanting, the level of support we get from the streets indicate that this is APC state. No matter what the PDP do or federal government bring, this is an APC state and we are waiting for the elections.”
He challenged those in the opposition to show their level of fitness to govern the state, “Am older than the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP let him take a walk like me. Let him take a walk of 10-15 kilometres. I took 10-15 kilometer of walk to the stadium to show them that I’am strong and fit and those emperors who are in PDP cannot do the things I do. They can’t dance, they can’t pop up the young men. If you see me and the young men you would not know I’am 49.”
The APC governorship candidate in the state, Hon Peterside promised to sustain the gains of the CARNIRIV. He noted that what was required is youthful zeal and energy, stating that the festival has huge potentials for the state.
Peterside said, “we are going to devote most of our time fighting poverty, creating wealth and conducive environment for our people to realize their potentials. Today we have shown that tourism is one pillar of that new order.”
The federal lawmaker representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency pointed out that so far, CARNIRIV has shown investors that there is peace in the state and that more of such investors will come in if a peaceful atmosphere is sustained.
Meanwhile, the Okrika Local Government Area has won the first prize in this years Rivers Cultural Canival (CANIRIV). The local government area won all the major prizes at the finals in Ekere competition, Boat Regettas and Heritage float.
In Ekere competition, Okrika beat Gokana LGA to the second position while Port Harcourt LGA came third.
In Boat Regetta, Okrika also beat Bonny LGA to the second position while Andoni LGA came third.
Okrika LGA also won the first position in the Canival float ahead of Ogu/Bolo LGA which took second position while Ahoada East/Ahoada West Came third.
The Rivers State Cultural Carnival has been described as one legacy that will drive the economy of the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) guber standard bearer, Hon Dakuku Peterside made the assertion when he represented Governor Amaechi at the Local Government areas floats parade last Friday in Port Harcourt.
He said there was need to sustain the vision, in order to make the state the tourism hub of the country.
According to him, “The Rotimi Amaechi led administration re-initiated CARNIRIV some seven years ago “first is to promote our rich cultural heritage and indeed preserve our identity as unique, peace loving people. People who can co-exist in diversity. The second reason is to boost our tourism potentials and prove to the world that Rivers State is the preferred tourism destination.”
He said, “looking back after seven years the government of Rivers State can beat its chest and say indeed we have accomplished the reason for starting CARNIRIV seven years ago.”
The legislator representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency promised that the APC government will work for the betterment of the people and bring about a prosperous state.
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi Performing the foundation stone laying of the Akpor Traditional Centre at Ozuoba in Obio -Akpor, weekend
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.