News
RSG Woos NNPCL Retirees To Buy-In, Invest In Modular Refineries In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says his government is poised to attract the best brains in the state and beyond to help transform the state to the fast lane of accelerated development.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, while playing host to a delegation of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, recently.
Johnson, who himself is a retiree of the hydrocarbon behemoth, noted that the NNPC senior citizens have a lot to offer in advancing the course of development in the state, given their wealth of experience, which he said, the state government was willing to tap from.
He expressed gratitude to the management committee of the group for the courtesy visit to identify with the Rivers State Government, emphasising that their visit has given him a sense of belonging.
Johnson explained that the governor and has been on course in delivering people-oriented programmes and projects through the help of God and the massive support of Rivers people, despite the plans of detractors to divert his attention from fulfilling his mandate.
According to him; “Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as an accountant, is not given to much noise. He is very humane, friendly and ready to serve the state creditably.
“We have lost a lot in the area of human capital development, which the governor is determined to fix.”
He noted that Rivers State, unlike Lagos, has not experienced simultaneous development across all the 23 local government areas in the State due to politicking in the past eight years.
Johnson noted that the governor has come up with a different concept of accelerated development, which despite the efforts of detractors, was beginning to put some legacies in place that would speak for the government in days and years to come.
He told the NNPC retired staff that his office was open to them at all times, even as he enjoined them to offer advice to the government in areas that it was not doing well.
According to him, “Any area we are not doing well, please tell us so that we can adjust. We are humans. We are bound to make mistakes.
“The governor is a human being like all of us. He has been in the public service. But he would leverage on the experience that most of you have acquired over the years at NNPC, which is pivotal when it comes to organizational management.”
The commissioner added, “For example, we have electricity supply challenge which those of you with engineering expertise can make available to the Rivers State Government. This is an area that you can be interested in, and we are ready to partner with you.
“There is no reason why we cannot have a modular refinery to produce fuel and associated by-products for our local consumption to address the high cost of the products.”
He, therefore, charged them to buy-in to the government initiative as a game changer, even as he noted that they (NNPC retired staff) could as well offer consultancy services to the government in the areas of their core competencies.
Johnson urged them to serve as his mirror, so as to point the way to a premium quality service delivery to the good people of Rivers State.
He noted that Fubara’s strategy of silence and focused leadership has discomfited the adversaries, thus making him very unpredictable.
He sued for constant interactions for cross fertilization of ideas that would be mutually beneficial.
Earlier in his remarks, President, NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, Sir Francis Igwebuike Ifi, had congratulated the commissioner on his well-deserved appointment as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council and Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state.
He expressed absolute confidence in the ability of the state Chief Image Maker to deliver premium quality service to the state, given his antecedents.
Ifi stated that the NNPC EZRSICS, which is the investment arm of the retirees, recognises Johnson as one of their own, a close friend and dependable ally who has the development and progress of the cooperative at heart.
He said that it was for that reason that they associate with him and will continue to support the state government to achieve its mandates in key sectors.
“Our courtesy visit to you today is to show our solidarity and felicitate with you on your well-deserved appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communications of the Rivers State Government.
“We are delighted that you have made us proud to be so appointed into an exalted office. Your appointment has given all of us, cooperators, a sense of joy, pride and happiness”, he said.
Continuing, Ifi said; “We are very happy for your appointment, and pray to God Almighty to grant you the wherewithal to perform your duties efficiently and creditably.
“We also pledge and vow to support you and the Rivers State Government such that, even the governor will be happy with us.
“We also want to urge you to please, convey our warmest greetings to His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“We are aware of what has been happening in the state since his assumption of office. Please, tell him that we are convinced in his ability to overcome and chart a new course for the development of the state in line with his constitutional mandate as the duly elected governor of Rivers State.
“We are solidly behind you and the government and good people of Rivers State,” he concluded.
Other members of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited’s Management Team on the courtesy visit included the Vice President, Rev. Charles W. George; Financial Secretary, Elder Daminabo Iwo George; and Treasurer, Mr. Monday Ewonubari Yaakor.
Others are Secretary, Elder Blessing T. Kalio; and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Daere R. Amachree.
A minute silence was later observed in honour of the former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, late Engr. A. M. Alabi, who was said to have slumped and died recently in his Kwara State home.
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.
