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The Carnage Must Stop, Catholic Bishops Warn …200 Igbos Lost To Insurgency – Group
Muslims Shouted defend themselves – Imam Ripples of last Friday’s bomb blast at the Kano Central Mosque continued as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigerian said that the blast was not only shocking but saddening. They also said that the senseless killing in the name of religion must stop.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Conference, Rev. Father Ralph Madu, the Catholic Bishops said that it was unfortunate and sad that the incident has added to the scores of painful conditions that have been inflicted on ordinary Nigerians by agents of darkness who claim to fight in the name of religion.
The Bishops, in condoling with the victims, said, “Our hearts bleed when we realize that the casualty figures of the dead have risen up to 120, not to talk of the increased number of those who sustained first degree injuries and are lying critically at various hospitals in Kano.”
They commiserated with the Government and People of Kano State for this monumental loss.
“While praying for the happy repose of the dead, our hearts go to the families of those who have lost their beloved ones. We equally pray for the quick recovery of those who are injured,“ they said.
Meanwhile, the Igbo Welfare Association, a socio-cultural association for indigenes of the five South eastern states residing in Borno State, on Saturday said Boko Haram activities had claimed the lives of over 200 Igbo till date.
The group also alleged that the ethnic group had suffered loss property worth millions of naira to the crisis, which started in 2009 and has yet to abate.
The President General of the association in Borno State, Chief group MaclawNwaogu, said this while delivering his speech at the inauguration of the new executive and award ceremony of IWA on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Nwaogu appealed to Governor KashimShettima to look into the plight of widows and orphans of Ndigbo and other non-indigenes, some of whom had had to leave the state but still carrying the burden of the loss of their breadwinners to the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also called on the governor to fulfill his promise of renovating the association’s hall, which was vandalised by the insurgents.
“In addition, we remain very appreciative when, in your first tenure, you offered us free transport in a season like this. Shortly after that, it’s like the security challenges have affected that gesture. However, with the cream of new Igbo leadership, we call on you to remember our numerous members, who want to travel home to spend this year’s Christmas.”
“It is pertinent to bring to your notice that internally displaced people of Igbo extraction are being catered for by Igbo Welfare Association. We are appealing to your government to help us remedy the situation,” the association president added.
The leader of the socio-cultural association promised to carry everybody along in managing the affairs of the group.
Also, the Council of Imams and Ulamas has call on the Federal Government and its security agencies to bring to an end the wanton destruction of lives and property going on in the country particularly in Kano, Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states and called,on Muslims to defend themselves.
In a statement signed by Sheik Usman Baba Tuni and Ustaz Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, Chairman and Secretary respectively and made available to the media over the weekend in Kaduna, the Council call on all Muslims where ever they are to protect themselves within the ambit of the constitution in the event the Federal Government failed in its responsibility of protecting them.
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.