Politics
Wike Tasks Monarchs On Peace
Last week in Government House began with the Second Session of the third Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Evo with Governor Nyesom Wike and his wife attending.
He used the occasion to task the church to play their role in the emergence of good leaders in the country. He said, “In Anambra and Imo states, the Catholic Church plays key role on who leads those states. In Rivers State, the Church should rise up and take a position.”
Announcing the revocation of Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel Hotel in Port Harcourt, the governor regretted that the hotel has turned itself as a place where electoral malpractice and other forms of election fraud are carried out.
In the words of the governor, “we cannot allow hotels to be used for unwholesome activities. The Special Adviser on lands has been directed to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel.”
Last Monday, the governor declared open the 106th Quarterly Meeting of the state Traditional Rulers Council and enjoined the royal fathers to assist government in security and maintenance of peace in their domains.
The governor used the event to explain the visit of Acting President penultimate week, staying that despite blackmail of ex-Governor Amaechi and his party, the APC, that the nation’s number one citizen was formerly invited to inaugurate projects in the state.
Chief Wike frowned at the ex-governor’s penchant to blackmail the judiciary, describing the visit of the Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen as purely official and for the betterment of the judiciary.
Last Tuesday, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, in a statement, urged Rivers people to be wary of the antics of the opposition. She said while others states of the federation where the opposition lost elections are united and forward looking, the APC in Rivers State has turned into a crying baby bent in detracting governance.
The governor through his Special Assistance on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaududi last Tuesday said there is an overwhelming evidence of ex-Governor Amaechi’s corrupt activities. He regretted that the former governor has continued to work against interest of Rivers State.
Last Wednesday, the Chief of Staff Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, met with political stakeholders in Emohua Local Government Area and harped on the need for peace.
Woke said, “I want to enjoin my brothers who are in opposition political parties never to encourage violence of any kind. If the locall government area is destroyed, where will you conduct the election you are hoping to win.”
As part of moves to ensure peace and harmony amongst communities in the state, the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Harry-Banigo met with representatives of Deeken and Deeyor communities in Gokana Local Government Area last Thursday.
She commended both communities and members of the Rivers State Boundary Committee and reiterated the need for all communities to live peacefully with their neighbours.
Last Saturday, Governor Wike welcomed delegates and members of the African Bar Association who are in the state for a four-day conference. The governor assured them of a peaceful and memorable stay during the event.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, last Saturday, was at the airport to receive former Tanzanian President, Dr Jakaya Kikwete who is billed to deliver key note address at the African Bar Conference
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby