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I’m Not Aware Of N5,000 Notes –Mark
The Senate President, David Mark has denied knowledge of the proposed introduction of N5000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), noting that this is basically why he has not taken any position on the issue.
Mark, who made the assertion while declaring open the 8th All Nigeria Editors Conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State yesterday, said that if as Senate president, he was yet to be furnished with information on the proposed restructuring of the nation’s currency, then something must be wrong somewhere.
The Senate president stated that the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) had provided enough room for editors to decipher what constitutes national security.
Describing the theme of the conference, “The Nigerian Editor and National Security’’ as apt, he advised the editors not to allow “breaking news to break up the country’’.
“The problem we have is the balance between what will make you remain in business and what constitutes national security issue.
“I believe that journalists are very patriotic people because they are the first victims of any major crisis.”
The Senate president described media as an important tool in the business of statecraft, national survival and preservation, and advised editors to be extra careful, fair and conscious of national unity, because security issues covered infrastructure, health, welfare and energy, among others.
Earlier in a goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep Emeka Ihedioha, noted that editors’ challenge had always been that of balancing constitutional duty and national security.
Ihedioha said the National Assembly recently passed the ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011’ to assist in the fight against terrorism, and said that the legislature would welcome recommendations that would further improve national security legislation.
He assured editors that the house would stand firm with the media until terrorism was defeated, adding that the National Assembly would not impose any decision on the people in the ongoing constitutional reforms.
“We will pander to the well articulated interests of the people as far as the constitution amendment process is concerned.
“We shall soon embark on intense consultations with the people at the grassroots. The media has a crucial role to “play in this consultative process,” Ihedioha said.
In another goodwill message, the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) pledged to support the guild in all its activities.
Delivering the association’s message, Mrs Comfort Obi, the publisher of ‘The Source Magazine’, lauded the guild for the theme of the conference.
She advised them to see reportage as a sacred duty and to do so with all sense of responsibility.
Similarly, the NUJ President, Mr Mohammed Garba, noted that the media had a crucial role to play in the knotty issue of national security and conflict management.
Garba expressed the hope that the conference would make recommendations that would assist in nation building.
Also speaking, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom advised Nigerian journalists to be more patriotic in the course of their duties.
According to the governor, “we should clothe this country in beautiful garments as editors so that it will be a better place for us to live in’’.
He said the security challenges in parts of the country had hindered socio-economic growth and advised journalists to imbibe the virtue of patriotism.
“You should be able to transmit information as journalists with respect to national security at heart.
“We are at a critical time of our nation’s development agenda; it will, therefore, be necessary for you to edit and publish stories that will help in driving national development,” Akpabio said.
He said past leadership had made efforts aimed at achieving meaningful development, but hindered by ethnic bias and violent practices.
The governor said efforts should be made to address the problem of national security to sustain the economic growth.
He said that Muslim leaders in the state would meet on Sept. 23, to address issues bordering on security.
In his goodwill message, Mr Bayo Atoyebi, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, urged journalists to collaborate with security agencies to tackle insecurity.
“As gatekeepers, we must work closely with each other so as to proffer solutions to the issue of security,” he said.
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.