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Your PVC’s Your Power, Banigo Tells Kalabari Electorate …As Woke Warns Degema People Against Leaving Mainstream Politics
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr.Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has informed the people of Degema Local Government Area that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC)was their power.
Banigo stated this during the collect and protect your PVC sensitisation and mobilisation rally, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) at the Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry Stadium in Degema, last Sunday.
The deputy governor, who insisted that the PVC was key in the 2023 General Election, advised eligible voters to collect and keep their PVCs safe in order to vote candidates of their choice that would provide democratic dividends.
In his address, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, informed the people that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was done with registration of eligible voters, adding that they were now in the era of PVC collection.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Degema, for the solidarity and show of love for GDI, especially the elders of Degema, noting that this means the leaders of the areawere doing well.
Fubara clarified that the gathering was not for political campaigns or to canvass for votes for any political party but to stimulate GDI members to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards to be able to take part in the 2023 elections.
“We are not asking you to vote anybody here now because we know when it is time for vote you people know what to do. Our duty here is to ensure that every single PVC belonging to the GDI and PDP members from Ward 1 to Ward 17 of Degema is collected. That is the main reason for our coming. When you collect the PVC ensure they are kept safe”.
He also spoke highly of the turnout of GDI members and other indigenes of Degema for the rally.
“We are not campaigning, we have come to encourage our supporters here that have stood with us even in the face of the political drama when people are saying that GDI is no longer in this axis of the state.We have come here today to see with our own eyes. Like our chairman used to say, the human beings I am seeing in Degemaarelike ‘sand’. That is what I’m seeing. It means that GDI is strong here in Degema. If GDI is strong, it means PDP is also strong”.
He thanked the people of Degema, especially the aged for their show of love, support and solidarity.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor, who spoke through his Deputy, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, informed the people that it behoves on them to make efforts to collect their PVCs in order exercise their franchise in 2023.
Akawor, who is also the chairman of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), commended the people of Degema for turning out in their numbers for the rally, arguing the colourful crowd showed that GDI exist in Degema contrary to what was being speculated.
On his part, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Emeka Woke, told Kalabari people not to allow few self-styled leaders in the area to deceive them.
He said that over the weekend, a group of people who claimed to be South-South elders, women, youths and student leaders from Kalabari had alleged that they have adopted a governorship candidate, but wondered how only Kalabari would decide on the issue of governorship for the entire South-South which is made up of six states.
He expressed optimism that Kalabari people would not isolate themselves from mainstream politics, especially against the backdrop of what Governor NyesomWike has done for the people.
“The administration of NyesomWike has impacted positively on the Kalabari ethnic nationality, if not for anything, the appointment of a Kalabari daughter as deputy governor. The era of ethnic politics in Rivers State is over. I know that SiminialayiFubara is a Kalabari son”, he said.
Earlier, the President General of GDI, Hon. Bright Amewhule, had said that on the day of election, all eligible voters should come out and cast their votes for candidates of their choice and ensure that the results are transmitted at the polling units, in order to forestall manipulations.
The rally, which attracted people from various walks of life, including the PDP Governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara; the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who is also the candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District; Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof NgoziOrdu; Chief of Staff, Government House, EngrEmeka Woke; local government chairmen; former and serving commissioners; some members of the National and State Assembly; and candidates of both legislative chambers.
Others are GDI and PDP members led separately by President General, Chief Bright Amaewhule, and the party’s Deputy Chairman,Chukwuemeka Aaron, who represented the State Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, traditional rulers, women and youth groups.
The event, which featured solidarity speeches from stakeholders of Degema, dwelt on PVC collection and security of the voting instrument as well as gyration dance by GDI members from the 17 wards that make up the LGA.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.