News
Over 4,000 Rivers West Women Unite For Fubara
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Fredrick
About 4,000 women from eight local government areas that constitute the Rivers West Senatorial District, last Sunday, defied the scorching sun, walked from Western Ahoada County High School to St. Paul’s State School field, Ahoada Town, to reiterate their support for the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The walk, tagged “Rivers West Women Unite for SIM”, had an array of female stakeholders and politicians, who made far reaching statements on the stance of women as regards the current political era.
Notable amongst those who delivered solidarity messages were the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Rivers West Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; House of Representatives candidate for Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead; Dame Victoria Awuse; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs.Ukel Oyaghiri; Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox; wife of PDP State Chairman, Mrs. Ene Akawor, and PDP State Woman Leader, Hon. Marian Ogbonna.
In their respective speeches, they spoke on the need for women to collect and protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), in readiness for the general election in February and March.
They expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his continuous support for the political aspirations of women in the state, which has culminated to the emergence of a female deputy governor, female senator, female members of the national and state Assemblies, female commissioners, female special advisers, female judges of federal and state High Courts, female Magistrates, female local government chairman, female vice chairmen of all the local government areas, and other key appointments.
They said Wike’s gender friendly posture and policies have been an immense boost for women.
Earlier in her address, Convener of the walk and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, said the walk was to create awareness in the area, and also tell the world that the women from the senatorial district were ready to cast their votes for the party’s Governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other candidates of the party during the general election.
Oniyide, who doubles as deputy director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, said women came from Abua/Odual, Ahaoad East, Ahoada West, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Degema and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA), to participate in the walk as a show of commitment to the Consolidation of the New Rivers Agenda that would bring about infrastructure and manpower development in the state.
Some prominent women who participated in the walk, included member representing Okrika State Constituency, Hon. Linda Somiari Stewart; Deputy Director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, Hon. Alali Irimagha; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Nsiegbe; former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Emily Solomon; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nancy Nwankwo; wife of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mrs.Ugar Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Grace Woke; wife of the Head of Service, Dr. Matilda Rufus Godwin; Hon. Daisy West, Hon. Alaso Obi, Ada Omuma, Hon. Victoria, Nwokocha Chikeka; Hon Gloria Boma Harry; Mrs.Onyi Ile; and Hon. Okorite Adiele; amongst several others.
Key members of the State Campaign Council, including the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly and Director of the Mobilisation Directorate, Hon. Edison Ehie; Zonal Coordinator, Rivers West Senatorial Zone, Chief David Briggs; Commissioner for Water Resources, Prof Kaniye Ebeku;member of the state House of Assembly and candidate for Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Hon. Lolo Opuende; and others were on hand to give the women morale support.
On the sidelines of the walk was the exercise session, which was followed closely by scintillating performances by Jikume Bethlehem (Oshikiri 1 of Africa), Muma Gee and Holy.
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.