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Stop Attacking Jonathan, Group Warns Detractors
A Niger Delta rights group, the Ijaw Liberation Movement (ILM) has warned those attacking former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for selfish reasons to desist from it or face the wrath of the entire Niger Delta people.
The group, which placed the blame on the doorsteps of egotistic politicians, stated that the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cleared Jonathan of all the accusations of scheming to hand over control of the party structures in Bayelsa State to his cronies.
In a statement by ILM National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Ever, last Wednesday, the group emphasised that the party’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi revealed last Tuesday in Abuja how the former President had been striving to protect the same executive committee that was falsely accusing him of interference.
Makarfi said, “When we read some sponsored fake and faceless publications last week, claiming that former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was scheming to dissolve and take over the structure of the People’s Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, we chose to ignore them because we knew they were plain lies.
“We are happy that the party’s national leadership has finally vindicated the peace-loving former president. This came to the fore on Tuesday when the party’s caretaker committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi cautioned the visiting Bayelsa Executive Committee members, who had raised the false alarm, to avoid mischief and rumours, and work for the good of the party in the state.
“We saw shock on their faces when Makarfi bluntly told them that it was even the former President who, on being alerted of a petition by some vested interests for the dissolution of the state executive, called and counselled him to ignore such petitions.
Before then, the purveyors of this sick narrative had been circulating all manner of fabrications and lies supplied to them by their pay masters, against the former president. Since we are not politicians, we however do not begrudge them this ignoble route they have chosen for themselves, in the bid to earn a meal ticket.
“But we were worried that true sons of Ijaw nation could throw caution to the wind, flip their conscience out of the window, and reconcile themselves to circulating barefaced unflattering lies against the only man in the entire Niger Delta to have become President.
“But we are rather worried that this nation has hit this low in hagiography and shadow writing. Otherwise, how will any right thinking Nigerian or Bayelsan ever entertain the thought that the former president would return to the state from his respectable position as the national leader of the party, to begin to drag control of the state structures with anybody?
“Let us even assume without conceding that Jonathan had strangely developed interest in retreating from his God-ordained prominence at the national level and returned to Bayelsa to become a local champion, as they claimed. Which route would have been easier in such situation, for a man of his status?
“Is it by surreptitiously sponsoring anonymous petitions to the party leadership as they mischievously alleged, or directly engaging the party’s national officers, some of who were even his ministers, to achieve whatever end they claim he wanted?
“But this is even at best a needless hypothesis. We are convinced that those apparently running scared of even their own shadows, know, just as we do, that Jonathan, after being Governor of Bayelsa and serving as both the Vice President and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has no other ambition in Bayelsa State.
“These people, in the bid to whip up sentiment against Jonathan, also claimed that his aim was to seize the state platform as a launch-pad for a yet to be declared 2019 presidential ambition. If not for the momentary warped pleasure of mischief, would anybody even be talking about this, since it is clear to all loyal PDP members that the party has zoned the next presidential ticket away from Jonathan’s South-South zone, to the north?
“We believe that Jonathan is actually not bothered by all these baseless and nonsensical allegations, given the way he has ignored them”.
“Our worry is that those who sponsor and selfishly seek to benefit from this sick script do not care about the dangerous threat their sinister plot poses to peace and security in Niger Delta and Bayelsa State. We believe this consideration must have been responsible for Dr. Jonathan’s avuncular disposition.
“As a peace advocate who goes around the globe to preach and galvanize world communities to peace and progress, Jonathan is fully aware of the danger that lurks in the shadows, whenever some soulless politicians deceive and mobilize the youths for the wrong reasons.
“We have recent examples in the Niger Delta where such wrong-headed mobilisation and incitement had led to massive destruction of properties and even loss of lives. We note with pride that Jonathan has maintained a dignified silence despite all the lies his enemies have been heaping on his head. We see that as the height of statesmanship.
“As the national leader of the party and a well celebrated man of peace, we have no doubt in our minds, that Jonathan will not join issues with those hired hands and their puppeteers, no matter the level of provocation.
“We will continue to celebrate him as our democracy icon and the pride of Ijaw nation, because we believe he had served the nation diligently, in good conscience, to the best of his abilities.
“In the interest of peace, we enjoin the former President’s misguided traducers to retrace their steps from the wrong route of bitter politics, and join hands with other well meaning compatriots, to work for the Peace and progress, not only of Bayelsa, but of the entire country,” Makarfi added.
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.
