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Rivers Diasporans Insist On Naming PH Airport After N’Delta Indigene
Ogbakor Ikwerre USA/Canada (OIUSA/Canada), a socio-cultural organisation of Iwhuruohna indigenes of the Niger Delta who are resident in North America, has faulted the re-naming of Port Harcourt International Airport after a non-indigene of the Niger Delta.
The Muhammadu Buhari administration, in its last days, re-named the airport Obafemi Awolowo International Airport.
This was contained in a press release signed by a Professor of Journalism, Department of Communication Studies, 339 Lang Building, University of Northern Iowa, Chris W. Ogbondah, on July 10, 2023.
The North America-based Diaspora organisation rose from its international emergency meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023, wondering why the airport was not named after a prominent indigene of the Niger Delta geo-political zone where the airport is located.
Members of the organisation recalled that OIUSA/Canada and other Diaspora organisations had made appeals in the past for the naming of the airport after late Senator Obi Wali, a prominent citizen of the area where the airport was located.
The President of the USA/Canada-based organisation, Mr. Patrick Anyawoke, recalled that as far back as September 6, 2021, the North America-based Niger Delta indigenes’ forum forwarded a proposal and a letter to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Executive Council, urging the government to name the airport after Senator (Dr.) Obi Wali.
He recalled that OIUSA/Canada made a similar appeal to the Federal Government in 2004.
Anyawoke said that naming the airport after Wali was the proper thing to do in view of the late Senator’s extensive and remarkable contributions in the creation of Rivers State, as well as his immense and enormous self-sacrifices, even at the expense of his life for the unity of the country during the Nigerian Civil War.
Wali was among the prominent indigenes of Rivers State who vehemently opposed the secession that led to the Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970.
A member of the North-America-based organisation, Mr. Adolphus Omodu, noted that: “By his unequivocal opposition of secession, Senator (Dr.) Wali put his own life on the line during the period of hostility when few had the courage to do so.
“Naming the airport after Senator (Dr.) Wali will be a befitting posthumous reward to brave a nationalist?”
Another member of OIUSA/Canada, Mr. Chindah Wami, noted that: “Most airports in Nigeria are named after prominent indigenes where those airports are located. For instance, Enugu Airport is named after Akanu Ibiam.
“Owerri Airport is named after Sam Mbakwe. Kano Airport is named after Aminu Kano and Calabar Airport, after Margaret Ekpo.”
He wondered why the airport in Omagwa would not have been named after such a prominent figure as Senator Wali.
Another member of the North America-based organization, Mrs. Vera Ezeronye, recalled that Senator Wali risked his life on several occasions for the unity of Nigeria during the civil war.
She added that: “OIUSA/Canada strongly and unequivocally believes that naming the airport at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area after Senator (Dr.) Wali is the most appropriate thing to do.
“This is especially because of his contributions to the development of Nigeria and in drafting the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as being a member of the Constituent Assembly.”
Anyawoke contended that other compelling rationales for naming the airport in Omagwa after Wali include the fact that he was not only a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, but also a member of the Constituent Assembly that ratified the Constitution.
He added that being the Senate minority leader during the Second Republic, the senator contributed to the political stability and democratic development of the country.
Members of the Diaspora organization further argued that naming the airport after Wali was more appropriate in view of the late lawmaker’s contributions in the Federal Government’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation initiatives in Rivers State which was affected by the civil war.
Anyawoke argued that it is in view of these compelling rationales that OIUSA/Canada was dismayed that the airport should be named after Senator Obi Wali.
He said, “This is why we are calling on the Federal Government to reverse the renaming of the airport,” adding that: “It is not late or unusual to rename this airport properly. University of Lagos which was at one time named Moshood Abiola University was later reversed and named properly as University of Lagos.
“This is the more reason why the government should reverse the naming of Port Harcourt International Airport immediately.”
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.