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Rivers Guber Poll: Group Endorses Fubara
A socio-cultural and political group in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Apex Intact Movement (AIM), has thrown its weight behind the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and endorsed him as the next governor of the State.
The group which made its position known during the flag off of the PDP campaign in Buguma Town, headquarters of the local government expressed delight over the massive turn out of the people during the campaign, saying, the PDP standard bearer possesses the requisite qualities and pedigree to govern the oil-rich State if elected on March 11, 2023.
Speaking in an interview, the Founder and Principal of the group, Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, said his organisation had endorsed Fubara as the next governor of the state, assuring that members of the group would mobilise the people to vote for Fubara at the poll.
Ginah, who spoke through his media aide, Prince Abiye Bala said the group was poised to support the PDP candidate as it has already endorsed him, stressing that “My principal, Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, is fully behind Sir Fubara and all the other PDP candidates in Rivers State.”
He said the group was also happy over the large turn out of Kalabari people at the campaign rally and urged the people to be armed with their permanent voter cards so that they would be able to vote for all the PDP candidates during the forthcoming elections.
Ginah also hinted that his group had been involved in a number of humanitarian works and philanthropic activities, such as award of scholarships to indigent students; promotion of businesses through granting of soft loans; youth empowerment schemes for Kalabari indigenes; among others.
He equally disclosed that the group also disbursed some funds to 50 Kalabari undergraduates as part of the first phase of its bursary payments to the beneficiaries in order to create for them an enabling environment for quality and functional education.
He admonished the beneficiaries to judiciously use the money as well as concentrate on their academic work in order to be part of nation building.
Ginah also urged the people of Kalabari Kingdom to remain peaceful during and after the elections.
In a related development, the Founder and Principal of Apex Intact Movement (AIM), Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, has called on the people of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State not to hesitate to vote for the PDP governorship flag bearer, Sir Siminialayi Fubara during the governorship election.
Ginah, who made the call during the PDP campaign rally in Abonnema recently said the onus was on the people to vote for Fubara and all other PDP candidates at the polls as a way of reciprocating what Governor Nyesom Wike has done for the Kalabari people, stressing that the Governor had done for the people what his precessor could not do for them.
He disclosed that the Wike administration had awarded and completed several development projects like the Abonnema Ring Road, Abonnema -Obonoma link road; renovation and upgrading of Nyemoni Grammar School; Community Secondary School, Obuama; Government Secondary School; among others.
He, therefore, urged the people to give their support to the Governor by voting for Fubara and other PDP candidates at the polls, as this would be a way of reciprocating the dividends of democracy which Governor Wike had given to AKULGA people and the entire Kalabari people.
The Chairman of AIM, Hon Dumo Black Duke had in his address at the rally reiterated the position of the founder of the group and assured PDP of his principal’s willingness and commitment to ensure that the party coasts home to victory at the polls.
On his part, the spokesman of the group, Hon Abiye Bala also reiterated the commitment of Hon. Tamunoiminabo Ginah to work with PDP in the local government to ensure victory of the party at the elections inorder to consolidate Governor Wike’s good works.
By: Donatus Ebi
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.