News
Sambo Summons Security Chiefs Over Bombings
Vice-President Namadi Sambo, summoned Security Chiefs and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed, to his office in Abuja yesterday to assess the security situation in the country.
Our correspondent reports that the emergency meeting might not be unconnected with violent activities of the Boko Haram militant group in some parts of the country.
The group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s explosions in Kaduna and Zaria.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Azazi, confirmed that the meeting was meant to find lasting solution to cases of insecurity in the country.
He condemned Sunday’s bombing of three churches in Kaduna and Zaria and the subsequent reprisal killings of innocent persons in Kaduna State.
He said that the situation in Kaduna had been brought under control following the intervention of security forces and religious leaders.
Azazi described the reprisal killings in Kaduna as criminal and appealed to religious leaders to call their adherents to order.
“Whatever is the situation, you have to end up talking.
“We want leaders to be proactive, we want church leaders to be proactive; we want youth leaders to be proactive to make sure that what you call reprisal doesn’t make sense to anybody.
“What we need to do is to be mindful that somebody is killing somebody in Zaria and you are retaliating somewhere in Zonkwa, that’s criminality.
“Things happen, as a nation, as a people, we must address the situation not necessarily by killing one another.’’
Azazi who commended the people of Kano State for their cooperation and assistance in the fight against terrorism in the state, called on media organisations to partner with security agencies in addressing security challenges in the country.
“In certain parts of the country today and I will give an example like Kano; they are more proactive. So, you find that you are able to arrest the situation before it gets to this level.
“But that notwithstanding, even a small country like Israel where you have terrorism in spite of all the walls, once in a while, they still succeed in detonating bombs.
“So, we will like to arrest the situation as soon as possible, but we need everybody’s help to discover where these are coming from.’’
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin; the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; the Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim; the Chief of Air Staff, AVM Muhammed Umar and the Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has condemned Sunday’s attacks on places of worship in Kaduna State in which more than 60 people were killed.
The EU made the condemnation in a statement issued by Mrs Catherine Ashton, the union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, yesterday.
“I am appalled by the terrible attacks perpetrated against Christian churches in Nigeria on 17 June, following several similar attacks in recent weeks.
“I also deeply regret that reprisal attacks appear to have been made against members of the Muslim community.
“I condemn all such violence that leads to the loss of innocent lives and express my sincere condolences to the victims and their families,” Aston said.
She said the EU, through its Human Rights dialogue with Nigeria, would explore ways to promote greater understanding among the various communities “through wider dialogue in order to prevent such atrocities happening again”
Ashton urged the government to bring perpetrators of terror to justice.
She said the EU would renew its cooperation with Nigeria to address the underlying social and economic problems in the northern part of the country and “work with the authorities to make the fight against terrorism more effective’’.
It would be recalled that suicide bombers had in a coordinated operation attacked the ECWA Goodnews Church, and Christ the King Catholic Church in Wusasa , Zaria.
The explosions sparked violence in Kaduna, leading to reprisal attacks.
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.