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WIKE: THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
‘Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality’ – Warren Bennis.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a living proof of the above statement made by a great philosopher, Warren Bennis. Being the Governor of Rivers State for over six years now, Wike has simply shown and is still showing that he knows and understands what it entails to be a leader. He came into governance with a vision and so far, he has been able to bring those vision to fruition.
In the history of Rivers State, massive transformation such as can be evidently seen in the areas of infrastructures, healthcare delivery, security, economic growth, education and so on, have never been recorded. No wonder the up and doing Governor has been nicknamed ‘Mr. Projects’ among many other honours bestowed on him that befits all his efforts and hardwork put in the State to make it conducive for residents who live and do business.
After much scrutiny on Wike’s pragmatic leadership style, well-meaning Nigerians and supporters came to a consensus that the hardworking Governor should step up and vie for the position of the President of Nigerian, come 2023 elections.
Fortunately, Wike heeded the call and has gone as far as picking the presidential form. This for me and all who desire a better and renewed Nigeria, would be termed as a welcome development.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim rightly captured the mood of Nigerians when he wrote in his recent piece, “we need a leader who will boldly, without fear or favour, do the right things, make the right calls and take the problems of the country by the scruff of the neck and deal with them comprehensively and conclusively without playing to the gallery, like a true gladiator and champion of the people in a time like this that demands national heroism.”
Currently, insecurity issues in the country are being handled lightly by the federal government. Nigerians now live in fear each day, killings, kidnapping and abductions are now top on daily Newspapers and social media headlines. Lives and properties now mean little or nothing to our leaders at the federal level.
The most appalling thing is the fact that these criminals and perpetrators roam around the streets free, carrying out their evil practices in broad daylight without appropriate authorities arresting them and allowing law take its course.
It is indeed a tragic moment for Nigerians. Our leaders at the national level have failed us woefully so, we cry out for a ‘saviour’. The only candidate who fits the description of a Nigerian saviour is Governor Wike.
According to John Maxwell, a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Governor Wike knows what to do at every given point, he knows how to go about it and ensures he does whatever needs to be done. Infact, he can be likened to the sons of Issachar who were familiar with times and seasons.
Seeing how Wike swung into action, taking drastic measures to curb the (kpo fire) illegal crude refinery and soot menace that rocked Rivers State few months ago, we can boldly say John Maxwell’s definition of leadership has been justified. Today, Rivers people breathe in relatively fresh and clean air as opposed to the carbonated air that resulted from activities of illegal refiners.
Some Nay Sayers and propagandists would say Rivers State is not Nigeria that Wike cannot control a country as large and diversified as Nigeria. What an absurd thing to say!
Let me take us a little around the corridors of one of the realities of Nigerian politics. PDP ranks top as one of the largest political parties in the country, this party would have been in shambles just like some of her contemporaries but for Wike’s intervention, the party is still standing tall and strong.
Wike has single handedly upheld, sustained and maintained peace among members of his party across the nation.
The big question now is,
If one man can transform his state to a safe haven for investors and people living in it, do you think he would not do same and more for Nigeria if elected president?
If one man can boldly confront an issue that involved life and death (kpo fire) in his State, without fear or favour, do you think he would not do same and more for Nigeria if voted president?
If one man can successfully keep a party as large and diverse as PDP in one-piece, do you think he is not capable of doing same for the country if elected president?
I really wish Nigerians would call a spade a spade and face reality.
It is high time we considered FACTS and not FALLACIES.
I really wish Nigerians would have a rethink and make our votes count by voting the right man for the job come 2023 elections. WIKE IS THE NEW NIGERIA! WIKE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB!
By: Precious Tornubari Kingsley-Anele,
Port Harcourt
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.