News
We Must Not Allow Criminals Overrun Nigeria, Shema Urges
The former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has called on all Nigerians to sink their differences and work together against insurgents who have continued to threaten national peace and unity.
He made the call before inaugurating the reconstructed Chief Ferdinand Alabraba Crescent, and Opobo Crescent in GRA, Phase 2, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Wednesday.
Shema, who was Governor Nyesom Wike’s special guest, said that most Nigerians have become preoccupied with their disagreement in the political sphere, and seem to have ignored the danger criminal elements posed to national life, if they were allowed to have a field day.
“Nigeria must come together in this period of insecurity. We must not give the bandits, the kidnappers and the Boko Haram the opportunity to have a field day while Nigerians are fighting and arguing with each other.
“We must come together; join hands together for the purpose of Nigeria and Nigerians. My word of caution here is that we cannot allow criminal elements to overtake our national life.
“So, I am calling on all stakeholders across the nation to join hands together to end this threat to our national well-being.”
The former Katsina State governor noted the huge investment the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has made in ensuring food security in the state.
He said that focusing on agriculture and using it to engage the youths was another milestone of success secured in the development of Rivers State and its people.
“Huge investment has gone into infrastructural development; both soft and hard infrastructure. You are also working hard on food security.
“You’re doing this cassava facility for youths to be trained there. We need to focus heavily on agriculture for our youths to benefit and grow in modern skill of infrastructural development in Rivers State and Nigeria.”
Speaking further, Shema commended the governor for consistently developing critical infrastructure, changing the landscape of the state and making life comfortable for the people.
“Rivers State, since you became governor, is experiencing changes in terms of development. The list goes on because you have touched all sectors.
“But clearly, what is critical in this effort of governance is that you’re applying resources where it matters most.
“You’re, therefore, helping to grow the economy in Rivers State by which you’re ensuring peace and security with economic development.
“I am sure, by the grace of God, that by the time you leave office, your after story will live after you and your children”, he added.
On his part, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said his administration was making its modest contribution towards restoring the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
He noted that the support he has continued to enjoy from leaders in the state has enabled his team to have such success record in service to the state.
“Let me say clearly that in the course of our campaigns, we did say that we will bring back Port Harcourt to what it used to be.
“The special guest of honour, who had lived in Port Harcourt before, can attest to it that we are trying our best to bring back Port Harcourt to what it used to be in our own modest way.
“I’m happy with the leaders of the state for their support. Whatever we are doing in this state, we do it as a team. That is why you see the leadership always together.
“I thank them for their support. But for them, it would have been impossible for us to carry out the jobs that we have been doing.
“When they are giving you the support, you’re bound to do more. But if when you’re working, you see division within your family, it will, of course, discourage you. Let me thank my leaders for what they are doing to move the state forward”, Wike said.
The governor also commended Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for delivering the project on schedule, and the communities for not disrupting the construction work.
According to him, in overall, they all benefited from the employments and other economic activities that transpired while the project lasted and the company accomplished their goal.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the project was another testimony of a true, purposeful and responsible leadership provided by Wike.
Speaking with journalists, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said he was delighted to be part of the Wike administration that has, with determination, repositioned the state as the headquarters of the hydrocarbon industry in Nigeria.
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.