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Community Agog Over Monarch’s Coronation
It was indeed an epoch-making event as people from all walks of life thronged in their numbers to witness the coronation of HRH Eze Ike Ehie (JP) as Eze Igbu Orlukwor 11 of Orlukwor Kingdom in Ekpeye Nation, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The coronation ceremony took place at the early hours of Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Okoma1 Community, the ancestral home of the people and later moved to Odiabidi Community, the administrative headquarters, for a brief reception.
The President General of Uzugbani Igbu Orlukwor Kingdom, Dr Arch. Chris Enwudor, enjoined the people to continue to give their support to the new King.
He thanked the people for being steadfast, firm and focused in their pursuit for autonomy over the years, which according to him as been realised.
Engr. Moji Sampson, one of the contestants to the throne, who in his usual spirit of sportsmanship congratulated King Ehie for a successful coronation, and urged him to live up to the expectations of the people of Orlukwor and bring the wealth of experience he has accumulated in course of his career to bear in his new office.
He averred that as a true son of Orlukwor, he would give his unalloyed support to the King for the betterment of the Kingdom, adding that he was one of those that played a pivotal role in ensuring Orlukwor became an autonomous Kingdom in Ekpeye Nation.
His words, HM. Eze Felix Otuwarikpo had wanted to stop the election that led to the emergence of our King because he never wanted Orlukwor to be an autonomous Kingdom but we the people of Orlukwor said no, we have a child for a very long time, therefore, it is necessary we stand on our own and it was a collective decision of all in Orlukwor and history is made today.”
The wife of the celebrant, Queen Mrs. Nancy Ehie who was ecstatic about the new feather added to her husband’s cap thanked God for a peaceful and successful coronation, promising to mobilise and encourage the women of the area to support the King. She disclosed that with time, she would empower the young girls through skills acquisition programme so as to enable them to be self-reliant, and urged the women to always instill discipline and the fear of God in their children for a better tomorrow.
Eze Orlukwor mood assured his people of good leadership, saying his target is to develop Orlukwor Kingdom and to ensure that Orlukwor Kingdom operates to the level of other Kingdoms.
The monarch called for the support of all and sundry to enable him succeed, saying a tree cannot make a forest. He made a clarion call for all the youths of his Kingdom to toe the path of peace and shun crime and other social vices, saying peace is the most vital tool for development.
He also promised to partner with the government and security agencies to achieve the needed peace and order in his domain.
John Bibor
News
Rivers Chief Judge Grants Six Inmates Pardon
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
News
‘Fubara’s Administration Is Driving Transparent Public Procurement’
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
News
NAPPS’ 19th Anniversary: Education Stakeholders Task Govt On Assistance
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.