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Rivers LG Crisis: APC Chieftain Declares Fubara’s Action Constitutional

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An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Rivers State, Barr. Sogbeye Eli, has declares as constitutional the action of the State Governor, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, in the ongoing political crisis over the expiration of the tenure of chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State on Monday, June 17, 2024.
Speaking exclusively in a telephone interview, recently, in Port-Harcourt, Eli said there was nothing unlawful about the action of the Governor in directing the newly sworn-in Caretaker Committee Chairmen to take over the reign of affairs in the 23 LGAs.
He noted that the Law No. 2 of 2024 made by the estranged Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the sacked 26 members of the Assembly, extending the tenure of the outgone  Chairmen by six months had been expunged from the laws of Rivers State by Justice DG Kio of the State High Court.
“That law has been expunged by Honourable Justice Kio from the laws of Rivers State, it means that it does not exist.
“So, the outgone Council Chairmen cannot rely on a law that is not in existence to continue to stay in office when their tenure had elapsed constitutionally.
“That law conflicts with the 1999 Constitution as amended, and  in Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No.5 of 2018.
“The Local Government system in Nigeria is more like a department of a state. Governors have a hand in the affairs of the Councils. The Constitution allows a 3 year tenure for the Chairmen and there is  room for second term.
“But the tenure of these guys elapsed on the midnight of last Monday, June 17, 2024. That is the law and the Constitution”, he said.
Eli, who was the spokesman of the APC Campaign Council in the 2023 general elections in the state, said he relyed on the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the Attorney -General of the Federation versus the Attorney -General of Abia State, which ruled on the tenure of the Council Chairmen in the state in 2021, adding that the judgment applies to all the states of the federation.
He, however, noted that there were few former Chairmen who are still eligible to seek re-election into the Councils whenever election is scheduled by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Bethel Toby
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Niger Delta

Rotary Club Gets Kudos Over Humanitarian Activities

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The District Governor, District 9141, Rotary Club international, Rotarian Chinedu Ikegwuani, has commended the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt for its high. level of humanitarian activities.
Rotarian Ikegwuani said this in Port Harcourt while handing over for use thousands of mattresses and pillows donated by the Rotary club of Port Harcourt in conjunction with Nestello Nigeria limited to the transit hostel also build by the club for the Trans Amadi Police Station.
He said the club has continued to touch members of the society in several ways, describing it as the Rotary magic.
According to the District 9141 Governor, Rotary club has distinguished itself as far as humanitarian activities are concerned, adding that virtually every areas of human lives have been impacted on by Rotary club both locally and internationally.
He charged the the police to make the best use of the materials, stressing that the club will not relent in assisting the police and other security agencies to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Also speaking, former district Governor of the club, Rotarian Ijeoma Okoro, urged for regular maintenance of the facility.
She said the gesture will enable the Trans Amadi Police Division to discharge its duties effectively.
Speaking, the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotarian Victor Wariso, said the club will not relent in its support to security agencies.
Wariso said the Rotary club of Port Harcourt has remained consistent in assisting members of the public since it foundation years ago.
He also urged for proper maintenance of the facility while the mattresses and foams be given to those in need.
Managing Director of Nestello Nigeria Limited, Ernest Illochukwu, who noted that he is a Rotarian, said the club has continued to do good across the world.
He said the club is working in different areas of human endeavours , stressing that the activities of the club have continue to impact positively on members of the society.
Earlier, the representative of The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trans Amadi Police Division, DSP Patrick Arawumi, commended the club for the gesture, promising that the Division will put it into judicious use.
The club later planted trees at the police station and Commissioned of billboards at the Rotary centre.

John Bibor

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Rivers

RSG Assures NYSC Of Support  …As 1,771 Corps Members Begin Service In Rivers

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s support in positively shaping the future of youths in the country.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance yesterday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State during the swearing in ceremony of the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 Corps Members deployed to the State.

 

A statement by the Head of Press Unit,

Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, said a total of 1,771 Corps members were sworn in during the ceremony.

 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Hamilton Amadi, Sir Fubara noted that he would continue to make conscious effort “to give priority to the welfare of youths by providing them an enabling environment to discover and harness their God-given potentials.”

 

He commended the management of the NYSC for their strategic improvement to sustain the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, designed to empower Corps members and make them self-sustainable at the end of the service year.

 

Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. George Mfongang, commended the Corps members for their honest and patriotic sacrifices in nation building in the last 51 years.

 

He urged them to see their mobilization into the National Service as a rare privilege that should motivate them to work hard to entrench unity, socio-economic development, peace and prosperity of the nation.

 

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi represented by Justice Opufaa Ben-Whyte, administered the Oath of Allegiance on the Corps members at the occasion.

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Rivers

Customs Intercepts 40ft Container Filled With Arms, Ammunition and Illicit Drugs

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) has intercepted a 1X40ft Container Filled with various arms, ammunition and illicit drugs at Onne Port, Rivers State on Monday.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi presented the confiscated weapons to the media in Onne, Rivers State.

According to him the 40ft Container MAEU165396 with the items originated from Turkey.

He said that the arms and drugs were concealed within shipments of used clothing adding that several individuals have been arrested and are currently in detention awaiting persecution.

He said that working within their local structures, they followed diligently as the Importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a Private Bonded Terminal.

“Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents:
Eight Hundred and Forty-Four (844) units of rifles,
One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred (112,500) pieces of live ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows:
764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles
10 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum Silver Pump Action Rifles
50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Double Barrel Rifles
20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker Single Barrel Rifles
Exclusive Series, Sterling High-Quality Live Ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).

“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags” he said.

The Customs boos stated that, the duty-paid value of the container is Four Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (?4,171,710,000.00).

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.

In another development, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, he revealed that customs also intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container on transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port.

 

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following:
Six containers laden with:
1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml)
3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg)
Duty-paid value: Nine Billion, Six Hundred Million Naira
(?9,600,000,000.00)
Two containers laden with:
720 bales of used clothes
With Duty-paid value: ?144,000,000.00

“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira (?13,915,710,000.00).

The items, CGC Adeniyi pointed out that it would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.

Also speaking he interception of illegal arms, ammunition and illicit drugs according to the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, ACG Charles Orbhi said that the interception of illegal arms, ammunition and illicit drugs is not just matter of law enforcement but a very critical steps in safeguarding lives and properties, and also to promoting peace and the rule of law.

“Today’s demonstration stands as a testament to our dedication and commitment to the goals share as a people in this country” said Orbhi.

 

Kiadum Edookor

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