Front Pix
Rivers Re-enacts Beiijing Olympics Scenario In PH …As Jonathan Declares 17th NSF Open
The official opening ceremony of Nigeria’s biggest sporting event, the National Sports Festival was performed at the magnificent Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan amidst pomp and pageantry.
The opening ceremony was more like a carnival. Apart from the calisthenics displays that added colour to the event, VIPs from different parts of the country graced the lively event. President Goodluck Jonathan was accompanied by other government functionaries to the venue of the ceremony.
Nigerian Idol; winner, Timi Dakolo’s performance stired feverish emotions as he rendered his scintillating tune ‘Great Nation”, Duncan Mighty, too, was on hand to add colour with his popular song, “Port Harcourt Boy” while Koko Master, D Banj took the audience on a musical voyage with some of his popular hits.
The high points of the opening ceremony was the lighting of the festival flame which is expected to burn till the end of the games.
The ceremony which lived up to its hype as a unique and historic show piece was a marker in the history of the Sports Festival.
From the advanced lighting razzmatazz and the isometrics displays, the opening ceremony spoke volumes of the efforts and commitment by the locals organizing committee, LOC and Rivers State Government to deliver an unrivalled fiesta to the country.
Even as the Beijing Olympic displays took the world by storm, the sensation of a man paddling his canoe mid air right at the Garden City Stadium yesterday, night may go down as the world’s most spectacular displays in a sport fiesta in recent history.
That is however, if one wants to consider it more scintillating than the magic of two drummers doing what they knew best in the air.
Speaking before declaring the festival open, President Jonathan stated that the festival has lived up to the visions of the founding fathers, which were aimed at promoting unity and providing opportunities for the Nigerian youths to showcase their talents.
He stated federal government’s commitment to providing the enabling environment for athletes to realize their potentials as critical elements of the nation’s future.
The President hoped that future editions would attract the private sector whose co-operation could make the festival a viable economic execise.
He commended Rivers State Government for providing world class facilities for the event.
He said government was also committed to tapping and harnessing the potentials of youths saying that the 17th edition of the festival came at a time government when government was placing emphasis on youth development.
‘’ The 17th edition of this fiesta is coming at a critical time in our history as we embark on a journey of national transformation which places a great responsibility on the vibrant youths of our nation.
‘’ Our administration fully recognizes the pivotal role and contributions of our youths to our sustained growth and development efforts.
‘’ This is why we are totally committed to creating an enabling environment for them to realize their full potentials as critical agents of change and as successor generation.’’ He said.
President Jonathan said the national sports festival had continued to live up to the visions of its founding fathers who conceptualized it 38 years ago.
He said the festival affords the opportunity to celebrate the leaders of tomorrow and showcase the talents of our youths in sports.
He called for the involvement of the corporate and private sectors in the sponsorship and organization of future national sports festivals.
He said the nation’s sports had not reached its peak because there were so many potentials waiting to be discovered and encouraged .
He urged all stake holders to use the opportunity to harness and nurture these hidden talents for national and international competitions.
The president commended the donors of trophies for the winners and runners up of the festival and described it as a new innovation in the organization of the games.
Dr. Jonathan announced that as its token, the federal government would give a cash award of N20m for the state that comes first,N15 for second position and N10m for the third position.
He said the amount would be reviewed in future festivals and urged athletes to shun acts that could tarnish the image and reputation of the games.
President Jonathan commended the Rivers state government for building a new sports complex named after former super eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka and described it as a great edifice.
Earlier, the director-general of the national sports commission,Dr. Patrick Ekeji said the three trophies were donated by the Plateau,Abia and Lagos state governments.
He said the Plateau trophy was named after Gen. Yakubu Gowon,(retd) former Head of State who initiated the festival, the second by the Abia state government in honour of late Chief Jerry Enyeazu ,first Director, National Sports Commission while the third trophy, donated by Lagos state government was in honour of late Nojeem Mayegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medal winner.
Ekeji said more than 13,000 athletes and officials were taking part in the 17th edition of the games and that the festival guidelines were reviewed in line with Olympic standards.
He said there were 25 sports being competed for by the participating states.
He said sponsors would be sought for the three trophies donated by the Plateau,Abia and Lagos state governments for the first three winners of the games in future games.
Earlier, the 36 states and FCT did a march past reviewed by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking earlier, host and Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi thanked the federal government and the National Sport Commission for bringing the National Sports Festival to Rivers State for the second time.
He noted that since inception, the NSF has been a sign of Nigerian’s common destiny which can be used to unite and strengthen the country.
The governor stressed his administration’s determination to placing great emphasis in sports development, a sector that caters for more than 60 per cent of the state population made up of youths.
This resolved, he explained informed the construction of the brand new Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium equipped with facilities unequalled in Nigeria.
He urged the athletes and guests to savour the huge cultural heritage and hospitality of Rivers people and to always uphold the virtue of sportsmanship.
Several cultural displays, popular artists and the booming sound and glare of fireworks were used to round off the memorable ceremony.
Desmond Osueke
Team Rivers during a parade at the 17th National Sports Festival, Port Harcourt, displays the rich culture of Rivers State, yesterday
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.