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Peterside Gets Andoni Chiefs,KORAN’s Endorsement
In an effort to bring traditional rulers and chiefs of Andoni Kingdom up to speed with political developments in Nigeria, the chairman, Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, himself an Andoni chief has met his colleagues ahead of next month’s election.
Ikanya, who was accompanied on the solidarity visit by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State spoke extensively on matters of development, candidates for the election, parties and Nigeria’s two critical elections slated for 14 and 28 February 2015.
Ikanya, described the last six years of Nigeria under the watch of a fellow Ijaw and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as horrifying for the people of Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to the APC chieftain, the highpoints of the ignoble era included the criminal deregulation of petroleum products, the nine months strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the worsening unemployment situation, the immigration scam that shook the nation, the seizure of Rivers State oil wells, the intimidation and subjugation of government and people of Rivers State by Abuja and other infractions that characterised the last six years under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The chairman said “What exactly did we do to them? If they were quarrelling with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi were they also quarrelling with the entire people of Rivers State? See how the man who lived here paid us back”.
”Apart from the intimidation, it also got to a time when we all agreed that our next governor must come from another part of Rivers State in the principle of rotation. But our brother joined hands with our oppressors to frustrate our Riverine aspiration and to deny us our heritage. But God gave us Peterside to console us. I want to say right away that a good friend is better than a bad brother. So we must support General Muhammadu Buhari because he has promised to assuage our pain”.
Ikanya, who described Peterside as a candidate of liberation, both for the Andoni and the people of Rivers State warned his people to reject Jonathan and the PDP because even the South-South region were Jonathan hails from is worse off today than it was 2009.
On his part, Peterside promised to create wealth and jobs for the unemployed, not only in Andoni Local Government but across Rivers State, just as he also promised to establish cooperatives, encourage deep fishing and address erosion issues, among other things.
A total of 54 Andoni chiefs, who attended the session, prayed for and blessed Peterside, describing him as a worthy brother and dependable representative.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has lauded Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (KORAN) for their industry.
Peterside, who made the commendation at Elelenwo during a visit, said his government will pay special attention to the needs of KORAN because the association is engaging idle hands by providing employment opportunities to Nigerians.
He said ”Your job is very important to us because without you there would have been serious transport chaos in our communities. Keke gives over 5,000 persons job. If these jobs were not available, this probably would have translated to 5,000 idle hands and we all know the consequences. I know that some of you are graduates, yet you have decided to do this job to help yourselves and your families so that you can stay off crime.
”I will assist you because I know you have challenges. When we come to government in May, we will sit with you and tackle all the challenges.”
Peterside also addressed the issue of multiple taxation, describing it as unfair and unacceptable. He described the extortion and intimidation of Keke operators as inhuman but promised to sit with them after the election to see to the end of all the infractions.
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.
