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Why Rivers Is Hosting 2016 Editors’ Confab -Wike
All is now set for the 12thedition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holding from August 3-7 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme: ”Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.”
No fewer than 300 Nigerian editors, a collection of mainstream farmers, agribusiness financiers, policy-makers and captains of industry are expected to grace the event.
Host Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the conference would afford the state the opportunity to showcase its investment potentials.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor noted that the conference would be a fitting platform to partner with editors and the media to consolidate development in both the state and the nation at large.
Wike noted that the state is hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State is an investors’ destination, stressing that the state is peaceful and the people hospitable.
“Hosting this year’s conference will also make the editors witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people”, the governor said.
The All Nigeria Editors’ Conference is the largest gathering of Nigerian editors, and a watering hole of ideas that have shaped government policies and programmes over the years.
The maiden edition was held in 2004 at Ada in Osun State, while subsequent editions have been held in different parts of the country.
The conference also attracts both local and foreign speakers as well as editors from organisations such as the West African Editors Forum (WAEF), the African Editors Forum (TAEF), the World Editors Forum (WEF) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).
This year’s edition has been tailored primarily to focus on agriculture as a counterfoil to the dwindling receipts from crude oil.
Speakers include a rich mix of practising farmers, agriculture financiers and policymakers.
The Founder of HoneySuckle PTL Ventures, Mosunmola Cynthia Umoru, would speak on ‘Agriculture as Panacea for Unemployment’ while Mr. Kola Adeniji of Niji Farms would talk on ‘Agriculture as a Foreign Exchange Earner.’
The Chief Executive of Bank of Agriculture, Professor Danbala Danju would be explaining the ‘Role of Banks in Agriculture Financing’ while Kano-based farmer, Muhammad Abubakar, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms would experientially explore the topic: ‘Making the Most of Agriculture Value Chain.’
The Acting President of the Guild, Funke Egbemode, said “the sole emphasis on agriculture for this year’s conference was in response to the falling price of crude oil at the international market which has automatically reduced government’s earnings and revenue base.
“This is the first the conference is focusing on agriculture in the most pragmatic sense and it is meant to draw the nation’s attention to the limitless opportunities that abound in agriculture”.
Previous editions have bordered on good governance, electoral values among others.
In 2005, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, facilitated the conference in Abuja with the theme: ‘Media, a Catalyst for Good Governance.’
In 2006, the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, then governor of Bayelsa State, sponsored the conference, which was held in Yenagoa and the theme was ‘Media and the Challenges of Political Transition.’
In 2007, ANEC was held in Bauchi State, with the support of the government of Malam Isa Yuguda. Theme was: ‘The Media: Electoral Reform and Election Management.’
The 5th edition was held in 2008 in Kaduna with the support of the government of the then Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo with the theme: ‘Vision 2020, Economic Growth and the Nigerian Editor.’
In 2010, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State hosted, and theme was: ‘Oil and Gas, Post-Amnesty and the Nigerian Editor’, while in 2011, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State hosted the conference with theme: ‘Deepening our Democracy: Role of the Nigerian Editor’.
In 2012, the Akwa Ibom State government hosted, and theme was ‘National Security and the Nigerian Editor’.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State hosted in 2013 and the theme was ‘Nigeria Beyond Oil’, while in 2014 Katsina State Government hosted with the theme: ‘Credible Elections and Good Governance – The Role of the Editor’.
Last year, Bayelsa State hosted, and the theme was, ‘Nigeria: The Change We Need – Role of the Editor’.
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.