News
Ariolu Vows To Harness IGR To Improve Lives Of Obio/Akpor People …Hails Onuchuku’s New Role As IAUOE Acting VC
The Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman, Barrister George Ariolu; and his Vice, Lady Chinyeru Agbara; have paid a working visit to a short term property leasing establishment in Oginigba, Trans-Amadi Facility, vowing to harness internally generated revenue (IGR) to further improve the welfare and security of the people of the LGA.
According to Ariolu, the visit was part of his administration’s resolve to build a transparent relationship that would be based on trust between the council and the business community in the area.
He said local government administrations must be seen as credible and responsible hence, the need to harness internally generated revenue to encourage subsequent improvements of security and welfare of the people.
Ariolu added that his administration would be deliberate in its desire to improve lives of indigenes and residents of the LGA by implementing policies and programmes that were people-friendly.
The council chairman, who frowned at the low patronage of business owners, whom he said prefer to do business with touts, explained that the lack of cooperation from business establishments around the area was gradually affecting the smooth running of the local government administration.
While charging Trans-Amadi Facility to ensure adequate and updated remittance of levies to the council coffers, Ariolu said he would maximize the funds at his disposal to serve the people better.
Speaking further, he lambasted the management team led by the General Manager, Mr Dipo Akande, for not living up to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the host community, local government and state at large.
He said over 70percent of Rivers indigenes, especially the host community, were unemployed due to the facility’s unwillingness to cooperate with them and engage youths who were qualified, thereby creating room for chaos and nuisance in the area.
Responding, the General Manager of the facility, Mr Dipo Akande, commended the chairman for his foresight in the development of the LGA, while promising to cooperate with the local government administration to further develop the area.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu has hailed Prof Okechukwu Onuchuku on his recent appointment as the acting Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rivers State.
In a statement he personally signed, Ariolu said, “I congratulate Professor Okechukwu Onuchuku on his appointment as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State.
“I also commend the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for arriving at the appointment without rancour under the guidance of due process and best university tradition.
“With the appointment of Onuchuku, the Governing Council has sustained the steady sail Ignatius Ajuru University towards becoming a true citadel of learning and research.
“Onuchuku has served with merit in the University of Port Harcourt, where he was a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics and former director of the Port Harcourt Business School until this new appointment.”
“Onuchuku’s attainments in academics and leadership are an inspiration to the people of Ikwerre ethnicity, Obio/Akpor and other parts of Rivers State who have dreams of distinguishing themselves in their professions and making remarkable contributions to national development.”
Ariolu urged him to continue to be exemplary by bringing his vast administrative and academic experience to bear in working with the management and staff to take the university to higher academic rankings.
“Once again, congratulations Professor Onuchuku, and I wish you a successful tenure”, he said.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.
