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Sallah: Saraki, Atiku, Others Hail Muslims
Muslims in Nigeria, today, joined other faithful around the world to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri which mark the end of the Ramandan fast, as a result, the Federal Government declared today and Monday public holidays nationwide to enable Muslim faithful celebrate with loved ones and show love to others.
Well-meaning Nigerians share the joy of the season and felicitate with Muslims this Sallah festival.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, yesterday enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the nation ahead of the Eid el-Fitri.
In a statement, signed by Special Adviser (Media) to Saraki, in Abuja, Yusuph Olamiyonu, urged them to intensify prayers even as the month of Ramadan ends for their leaders as they have been enjoined by the Almighty Allah in the Holy Book.
“At this point in our national life, unity among all the different ethnic and religious groups will usher in peace and peace can only engender progress and development.
“We, therefore, need to learn to live together in peace, tolerate one another and eschew actions which can threaten the peace of the nation.
“Muslims, in particular, should continue to demonstrate the fact that the meaning of Islam is peace, and therefore, we should learn to live in peace with people of other faith and tolerate each other.
“We should also remember our fellow citizens in the North-Eastern part of the country who are being assailed by insurgents who call themselves Boko Haram,” Saraki said.
He also called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for our military who were engaged in the war against the insurgents to enable them restore total peace in the nation.
“Good followership is sine-qua-non for good leadership. Nigerians should always display patriotism, pay their taxes as and when due, eschew corrupt practices and protect public facilities.”
A former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has told Muslims to embrace the virtues of forgiveness and common understanding as they join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
A spokesman for Atiku said in a statement in Abuja quoted the APC stalwart as saying that one of the basic components of Ramadan was to seek mercy of God.
According to the statement, when God forgives our sins, it becomes imperative for us as humans to extend the grace of forgiveness and common understanding to other human beings.
The statement congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan fasting.
It said that Ramadan was a season of abundant grace from God, especially at a time such as now, when Nigeria was at the threshold of a new beginning.
The statement advised that all hands must be on deck to close “old gaps” in order to support the new political leadership.
“As Muslims, we must live our lives by the examples of Prophet Muhammed in ensuring that we build peace and common understanding in our families and communities.”
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Yussuff Lasun, also called for unity and understanding among Nigerians.
This is contained in his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Oyewole Oladimeji in Abuja.
The statement said that Eid-el-Fitr should promote unity between Muslims and their Christian brothers.
According to the statement, it is only unity that can bring about growth and development to the nation.
The statement appealed to Nigerians to be patient and allow the present government to unfold its plans on how to move the nation forward.
It called on Nigerians to reflect on the spirit of Ramadan and always tread on the path of peace and unity.
Also, National Publicity Secretary of the United Progressive Party, (UPP)Chief Ogbuehi Dike also congratulated all Muslims in the country for the successful observance of the Ramadan fast.
In a statement in Abuja, Dike urged all Muslims to imbibe the virtues and lessons of Ramadan.
“We congratulate millions of our Muslim brothers and sisters for the successful observance of the Ramadan fast.
“We urge the Muslim faithful to imbibe the virtues and lessons of Ramadan, which include sacrifice, love, peace and patriotism in our collective quest at building a great nation,” he said.
He expressed UPP’s support to ongoing war on corruption and urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute all public office holders accused of embezzlement.
“We support ongoing war on corruption and urge security agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute all public office holders who embezzled our common patrimony.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others and is in consonance with UPP principled stand on zero tolerance for corruption that has retarded the nation’s development,” Dike stated.
Similarly, All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, has urged all Muslim faithful to re-dedicate themselves to the enduring attributes of love for one another.
Onu said, “at all times, it should be borne in mind that as a people, regardless of differences in either religious beliefs or ethnic origin, we must remain bound together in the pursuit of a common resolve.
“We should build a better and a more united nation, where `though tribe and tongue may differ’, in brotherhood we should continue to stand.
“A house divided against itself can hardly stand; as a nation, our strength lies in our diversity. Nigeria is a nation whose sun is about to rise.
“We should work together as members of one family to realize our collective desire for a new Nigeria of limitless opportunities for all and boundless prosperity for many.
“ The challenge we face is to be determined in our resolve to work together, especially with the inspiring commitment of the APC-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Onu said in a statement in Abuja.
In its own reaction, the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) urged Muslims in the country to be great arsenal of democracy, especially in this era of change.
The political party gave the charge in a statement in Abuja yesterday to congratulate Muslims on the occasion of 2015 Eid-el-fitr.
In the statement signed by its National Chairman, Mr Olusegun Peters, the party commended the Islamic faithful for the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fast.
It said that that it was without doubt that the fasting period was used for soul searching, rededication in service to God and the nation, as well as prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country.
The DPC urged Nigerians to renew their confidence and faith in the fatherland with a view to building a strong, virile and prosperous society.
”It is imperative for Nigerians to be more patriotic and to consider the interest of the nation and set aside mundane partisan politics and self-aggrandizement.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointments of the new service chiefs and National Security Adviser and hope that they will inject fresh air and passion in the fight against Boko Haram.
“Nigerians, and indeed, the whole world, expect total elimination of Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
“It is a task that must be done for the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria,” it said.
It said that it remained expedient that the girls abducted by insurgents in the North-East were rescued and be re-united with their families ”after over 400 days in captivity”.
“We urge politicians to imbibe issue-based politics and eschew politics of bitterness and violence that has impeded our emerging democracy.
“It is time for action. It is time to build a new Nigeria and provide dividends of democracy to long-suffering compatriots; we are all in it together,” the party added.
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.