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AWELGA Boss Lauds Rivers Equity Group …Says Fubara Is Best Choice For Rivers
The philanthropic gestures of the Rivers Equity Group through a medical outreach to the less privileged have again been described as a great humanitarian act which would bring succour to the people.
Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area (AWELGA), Hon. Hope Ikiriko, stated this in Akinima, headquarters of the area, last Wednesday, when he received members of the group who were in the area for a medical outreach.
Ikiriko, who described the philanthropic gesture of the group as worth emulating, lauded the choice of Sir Siminialayi Fubara, a patron of the group, as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, as the best choice for Rivers State.
He described Fubara as a sound technocrat and professional who has the intellectual capacity to consolidate on the firm foundation being laid by Governor Nyesom Wike aimed at taking Rivers State to enviable heights.
The AWELGA boss noted that with Fubara, whose antecedents in the area of reaching out to the less privileged were legendary, he was certain that the masses in Rivers State would also benefit from his milk of human kindness.
“Sir Fubara was here and showed empathy and support during the flood that devastated this area. We will never forget a friend and brother”, Ikiriko said.
He declared Fubara as the choice of the people of AWELGA, noting that the PDP would sweep the polls in the area in 2023.
Ikiriko expressed for the medical outreach and promised to foot the bills of those referred for further treatment, including surgery, as a way of ensuring that the eyes status of his people improve.
Earlier, the leader of the REG, Elder Clapton Ogolo, had stated that the group was in AWELGA in furtherance of their medical outreach, which had so far berthed in 16 of the 23 LGAs of the state.
He said they were in the area to complement the recent humanitarian services of the RSG and other well-meaning groups and individuals as a result of the recent flood disaster in the area.
He noted that Sir Siminialayi Fubara, who is a patron of the group is interested in the health status of the people of the state, especially, the less privileged, and that when he becomes governor of the state in 2023 through the votes of the people, they should be aura of a better deal aimed at consolidating on the achievements of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Also speaking, the CEO of Linsolar Eye Clinic, the collaborating medical outfit, Dr. Adeline Aluge, told the chairman of the benefits of the programme to the people of the area.
Aluge also counselled the people on how to maintain good eye care and best practices to avoid eye challenges, and admonished them on how to stick to prescriptions.
Above all, she told them of the importance of the eyes and why it was necessary for them to get their eyes adequately tested and treated, especially as they plan to vote next year so they don’t waste their votes.
According to her, “without good eyesight, a voter may end up either voting wrongly or voiding his or her vote”.
She pleaded with the chairman to consider footing the bills for his people that would be referred for further check-up and treatment.
Thereafter, the chairman led his team and the group to the arena where the participants for the free medical outreach were readily seated.
Over 500 persons were counselled during the outreach, while about 350 received free medical eye glasses and drugs.
Others with very severe cases were referred for further treatment.
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.