News
God Won’t Let Those Plotting To Deal With Me Win Presidency -Wike
Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described as empty the threat by some politicians to deal with him when they eventually win the 2023 presidential election.
Governor Wike explained that his political crime, to such people, seems to be his insistence on equity, fairness and justice to be practiced within the party, which they consider as too tough a demand to satisfy.
This is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri.
The Rivers State governor spoke at Community Secondary School 1 in Mogho Town, venue of the campaign flag-off rally by the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Governor Wike described such threats as laughable, saying those threatening him will never win at the poll, and will not have such opportunity at all to carry out their sinister scheme.
He said, “Most of you have watched on YouTube where they said they will deal with me when they win. You can’t win. You’ve not won, you are threatening to deal with some people. Will God allow you?”
Governor Wike insisted that he is a strong proponent of the principal of equity, fairness and justice because it is about the best way to foster inclusivity in PDP.
He pointed to the evil of denying other equal stakeholders due rights that will give them a sense of belonging, wherein the unity of purpose matters within the party.
“All of them planning and saying they will deal with us, they’ve not been born. I dare them, let them try it”, Wike declared.
The governor told the people of Gokana to be proud of their nativity and being citizens of Rivers State.
According to him, no person can ever intimidate the State because it will never play second fiddle in Nigeria.
The governor also advised Gokana people to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) that will be used to punish haters of Rivers State.
He said the 2023 election would be about the use of the PVCs, which is the people’s power, and it will not be like what was experienced in 2019 where officers of the Nigerian Army and police were used to intimidate voters.
Governor Wike explained that a brother and a friend is one who caters for the welfare of the people and improves their living conditions.
In that regard, the governor stressed that he is a better brother to Gokana people than their son, Victor Giadom, who as a Commissioner for Works refused to construct roads in Gokana.
Governor Wike revealed that several roads had been constructed by his administration in Gokana together with the bridge connecting K-Dere to Bolo Town ongoing.
In his speech, Rivers State governorship candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, asserted that the party would win the election in the State, but there is need for the winning to be very convincing.
Fubara assured that when elected, his administration would continue in the performance footstep set by the Wike’s administration.
Specifically, Fubara said he would do everything possible to sustain the security of life and property, provide more road and educational infrastructure in the area.
Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Brother Felix Obua, acknowledged the massive turnout of Gokana people to the campaign rally, and enjoined them to collect their PVCs so that they can vote on election day.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Fred Kpakol, said PDP has won all elections in the council and they understand that politics is of interest and service.
According to him, they have no other political option other than supporting the consolidation team and to ensure that all candidates of PDP win at the poll.
Former secretary to the Rivers State Government, Kenneth Kobani, said Gokana people would never abandon Governor Wike and the PDP.
He assured that they were ready to take up any electoral fight against those whose stock-in-trade is to abuse the governor instead of engaging on issue based politics.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Senator Barinada Mpigi, assured that they would commit to serving the interest of Gokana people and by extension the Ogoni land.
Earlier, Governor Wike had paid a courtesy call on His Majesty, Festus Babari Paago-Bagia, Gberemene Gokana kingdom in Giokoo.
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.