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NGF To Exploit ICT For Job Creation
Rising from a two-day retreat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital at the weekend ,the Nigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF) has disclosed plans to exploit the huge potential in the Information and Technology (ICT) to tackle the rising youth unemployment in the country.
In an 11-point communique read by the Chairman of the body and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi at the end of the retreat in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, the forum also resolved to focus on good governance and service delivery as their tenure elapses.
As a way of using ICT to curb unemployment, it would said, “make provisions support all infrastructure necessary for speedy internet connections, including broadband, so that our youths in particular and other Nigerians can participate massively in the wealth to be made from the knowledge-based economy.”
The body hinted of plans to establish an independent office to make objective recommendations on the retirement benefits of governors, arguing that reward for leadership should be anchored on legacy exhibited in projects and service to the people.
It emphasized the need on making primary healthcare centres accessible to patients by putting in place a system which makes them utilize the health facilities closest to them, while identifying preventive healthcare as a sure path for better health for the citizens.
The body was of the opinion that one sure way of engendering job creation was to place emphasis on infrastructure provision and adequate power supply.
Frowning at the surging interest rates, the forum submitted that it will use its position on the National Economic Council, “ to press for low interest rates and enforcement of import policies and collection of custom duties. ”
The governors were of the view that high interest rates was encouraging unemployment and raising poverty, stressing that low interest rates and other policies will drive poverty reduction.
Earlier in his opening address, Governor Amaechi said the retreat had become imperative considering the current national challenge of corruption and security.
He said, “ what we do as governors even in our last years may mar or make our administration”
Since most of the governors were on the last lap of their tenure, the Rivers State governor observed that the retreat will help in providing road map for most of them to transit peacefully, stating that attention will be given to agriculture, education and other national development challenges.
He advocated for a free and fair elections and recognition of minority right in the country.
Amaechi used the retreat to call on governor to jettison all forms of division and unite for the development of the country, while lauding the secretariat for hard work to sustain the forum.
The retreat, which had 12 governors and one deputy governor in attendance, broke into sessions with papers presented on “Transitioning Out -Life After Office: Perspectives and Challenges,” “Overview of the Unemployment in Nigeria.” and Overview of the Current State of the Health Sector at the Sub-National Level”.
Former President of Liberia, Prof Amos Sawyer delivered a keynote address, “Transitioning Out: Making the Most of Life After Office”, said governors must see public service as an assignment and not entitlement.
He added, “We must be mindful that as an assignment, public service is of time-bound duration. We enter, we serve and we exit”.
As holders of public office, he counseled them to build upon the good things that were done by their predecessors and to leave footprints for their successors to follow.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has been commended for his developmental initiatives aimed at transforming the development needs of the state.
To this end, a group of academics, known as League of Niger Delta Researchers for sustainable development has unveiled a book christened “Fubaraism” to appreciate his boldness to deliver the dividends of democracy in the state despite the godfatherism intrigue that disrupted governance in the state .
The group however stressed that godfatherism can jeopardize development of the state and across country at in general.
“This is a groundbreaking research book titled ‘Fubaraism: The New Philosophy of Power Dynamics in Rivers State.’ This ongoing research project, undertaken by distinguished academics from various universities within the Niger Delta region and beyond, aims to fortify the fight against Godfatherism.”
This book authored by four academic professors and two Senior Advocates of Nigerian(SANs) which include Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma; Prof. Francis C. Dike, SAN; Prof. Christopher Okereke; Prof. Preye Inikoba; Prof. John Ben; Barr. Ngozi Olieh, SAN; and Dr. Sunday Adiele.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book recently, Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma, of the University of Uyo and the Director General of the group said they had conducted an extensive survey of public opinions and found that Governor Fubara’s approach, as encapsulated in the concept of Fubaraism, was yielding positive results.
“We believe that this innovative philosophy of power dynamics has significant implications for political philosophy in Nigeria.
“We commend Governor Fubara for his unwavering commitment to delivering democracy dividends to the people of Rivers State, despite various challenges. The book explores the risks involved in doing the right things and achieving better outcomes in the State.”
He said that their research group, formerly known as the League of Niger Delta Researchers for Sustainable Development, had evolved into the Federation of Researchers for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
According to him, “this change in name has not altered our core function – serving as watchdogs for the society.”
He stressed that they were confident that Fubaraism would revolutionize the way things were done in Nigeria, promoting a more equitable and just society for all.
“The publication of Fubaraism” is a significant milestone in the academic discourse on power dynamics in
Nigeria. The book’s innovative approach to analyzing power relationships and its introduction of the concept of ‘Fubaraism’ is likely to generate considerable interest and debate among scholars and policymakers.
“As a major contribution to the field of Political Science and Philosophy, ‘Fubaraism’ is poised to become a seminal work that will shape the discussion on power dynamics in Rivers State and beyond”.
Amadi Akujobi
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
