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Fubara Recommits To Good Governance …Urges ANAN To Sustain Excellence Insists State’s Safe For Business
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that despite the deliberate distractions by detractors, the State Government will remain focused on delivering good governance to the people to justify the mandate freely given to it by the electorate.
This is even as the Governor has urged the leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to sustain the promotion of excellence in financial reporting and practice in the country secured over the years.
Governor Fubara gave the charge when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation of the Association led by its 13th National President, Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday night.
Represented by Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, Governor Fubara noted that the Government’s eyes will remain glued on the ball in order not to miss achieving set targets in critical sectors.
While assuring that he will not disappoint Rivers people, Governor Fubara noted that the interest of the State comes first before any other consideration, stressing that no matter the pressure to via off the curve, the Government will never yield to the machinations of self-serving politicians and individuals.
He charged ANAN to remain consistent in professional financial practice as that was one best way to institutionalise best practices, due diligence and transparency in governance.
This culture of excellence, he said, has been enforced among its members who are subjected to continuous education to become contemporarily relevant, which has won ANAN a reputation of integrity.
The Governor said, “So, know that it’s actually a pleasure to have you come hold your Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Port Harcourt. And also to say that it is an association that rings a bell.
“In fact, two of my staff actually passed their training examinations. It was in Jos, and I asked them: what are you going to do there? And they said, it was mandatory for them. So, you’re doing a good and wonderful job.
“It is good to be good and consistent so that you have that integrity for the Association. And to congratulate you for the college that has been established because anything to do with education, it is something that is top notch because people have to learn, train and be retrained.
“And to tell you that my Governor is very passionate about things that have to do with improvement of capacities and building of individuals and human beings. I’m delighted that he will be willing to do something that will put his name on the marble when you talk about ANAN College.”
Governor Fubara commended their decision of choosing Port Harcourt as host for their 2024 professional development programme, and urged them to enjoy their visit while achieving the purpose they had set out for themselves.
He said that the choice of the State for the annual gathering of professional accountants was an eloquent indication that the State was safe not just for national conferences, summits and retreats, but also for long-term investors and visitors, as the State was peaceful, hospitable and investment-friendly.
“It is, indeed, gratifying that when conferences or meetings are schedule in Rivers State, for us, it is a plus because it resonates with the fact that Rivers State is safe; that Rivers State is a place you can do business and interact with people,” the Governor added.
In his address, the 13th National President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, said they were in Government House on solidarity visit to the Governor, who is a fellow of the Association.
Dr Neminebor, who is also Chairman of Council of ANAN, explained that as a body of 55,000 members with 44 branches across Nigeria, they are reckoned as one of the topmost institutes for practicing accountants.
He also said that ANAN decided that the three-day 2nd session of 2024 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme should be hosted in Port Harcourt to underscore the pivotal position of Rivers State in national economy.
On the delegation were national and state executive officers of the association, while the training event, which began on Monday with registration of participants, will end on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69billionn in revenue from passengers in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 53.14 per cent increase compared to the N1.10billion recorded in the same period of 2023.
This data was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report released yesterday.
According to the report, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled by rail in Q2, representing a growth rate of 45.38 per cent compared to 474,117 passengers in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
The volume of goods transported via rail also saw a significant increase, with 143,759 tons moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in Q2 2023. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported a volume of 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from the 2,856 tons recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Revenue from goods conveyed via rail stood at N537.36m in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68 per cent compared to N175.22m in Q2 2023. The movement of goods through pipelines also contributed to revenue generation, with N42.08m collected in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81million in Q2 2023.
Other revenue receipts amounted to N994.68million in Q2 2024, representing a staggering increase of 5,206.68 per cent from the N18.74m recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
In the first quarter, of 2024, The Tide source reported that Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system. The country spent 2,470 per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.
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