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Ogbakor Ikwerre Hails Buhari …As Peterside Makes Job Creation Priority
From Left: Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc, Mrs Toyin Sanni, Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza and Managing Director, Financial Market Dealers and Quotation (Fmdq), Mr Bola Onadele, during the signing of Fmdq Bond Listing ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday
The umbrella body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide has congratulated the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari on his resounding victory in the just-concluded presidential poll.
In a statement jointly signed by its President General, Prof. Augustine Onyeozu and Secretary General, Chief Augustine Okajile as well as the President of Ikwerre Development Association, Sir Chris Chinwo, the group said “Ikwerre people, with one accord, proudly identify with the voice of the people which, of course, is the voice of God. We are confident that Buhari will obviously take our great nation to enviable heights.
“We take this opportunity to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari in a very civilized manner”, they said.
The group also appreciated the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, for his achievements in the state, particularly on road construction, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
According to the group, Amaechi has distinguished himself in a position as high class achiever.
“We also congratulate our son, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State and director general of Buhari/Osinbanjo Campaign Organisation for being part of this success. As you round up your tenure as first Ikwerre governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, the ‘Ochi Ohnas’ of Ikwerre and members of the National Executive of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide jointly convey this message of sincere appreciation to you for your outstanding performance to date.
“By your excellent performance, you have earned for yourself a distinguished position as high class achiever, along with the class of ex-governor Alfred Diette-Spiff in the state in the 70’s, in different aspects of development, particularly in road construction, education, provision of health services, agriculture, infrastructure, and welfare services.
“You have set a new standard that subsequent governors of the state will always struggle to meet. Your developmental strides speak for themselves. Everybody can see that Port Harcourt now wears a new look. We have hardly had it so good.
“Above all, you have reduced to the barest minimum the presence of the ugly syndrome called ‘Upland/Riverine dichotomy’, which had been the bane of our otherwise lovely state. We recognize that the fight against this lacuna is critical for peace and stability in this state. We therefore, support this fight and encourage you not to relent. The Ikwerre ethnic nationality is proud of you”, they said.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside says job creation would be given priority in his administration.
This assurance is coming less than 48 hours to the governorship election in the state. Dr Peterside who said this in Port Harcourt, during a courtesy call on him by Grace Professional, a non-governmental organization in the state, said that the emphasis is on job creation to reduce poverty and check restiveness among the youths.
He said that Governor Amaechi has already set a standard in the areas of job creation and skill acquisition and his administration would toe the same line.
‘We are going to create skill centres with international certification. Governor Amaechi has set a standard with that.
‘There are lots of sectors to provide opportunities for our youths. The creative economy, ICT, oil and gas, sports and so on” he said.
Dr Dakuku said that the first thing his administration would do is to re-orientate the youths with a view to preparing them for work.
“We need to do massive reorientation for our youths who are used to making quick money” he said.
The governorship hopeful also pledged to improve the educational system of the state, adding that emphasis will no more be placed on certificates.
‘For us to achieve all these things, two things are fundamental, one is addressing the issue of security, providing an enabling environment for industries to thrive.
The second is power. We believe that when the issue of power is addressed, a lot of problems will be solved. He urged the group to sensitise the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress during the election.
The convener of Grace Professionals, Deda Okuyiga said the issue of youth unemployment has been a major concern for every administration in the state, adding that this must be addressed.
She also said that the group decided to support the candidacy of Dakuku Peterside because of his road map to develop Rivers State.
John Bibor
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.