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Fubara Urges Students To Put School Facilities To Good Use …Commissions Dormitory In Evo Girls College …Lauds Evo Dioceses for Immortalizing Justice Wike
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the staff and students of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School (ACMGS), Elelenwo to protect, preserve and put to good use the facilities that have been made available to them.
Fubara gave this charge on Tuesday during the commissioning and dedication of a new Dormitory Complex built by the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Comminion at its at ACMGS Elelenwo.
The ultra-modern two-storey dormitory named after an old girl of the school and wife of the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyeson-Wike contains various modern facilities.
These include 39 multiple bed rooms for students’ and six prefects’ rooms, five hostel mistresses’ flats, 173 conveniences, a hall, stores, fire alarm and CCTV systems, among others.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, the governor said, “what we are witnessing today is a testament to the fact that the leadership of this institution has exhibited credibility, integrity and focus of purpose that is praiseworthy, which is demonstrated in the judicial use of funds raised by the diocese and the school on this edifice we are commissioning today”.
He recalled that ACMGS was the foremost female secondary school East of the Niger, noting that over the years, the school has continued to champion the quest to improve the education of the girl-child by providing an enabling environment and inculcating the right attitude for learning and character building of the girls under their care.
He said a lot of females that passed through the school such as Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, have distinguished themselves in various spheres of endeavour and thanked the management of the institution for immortalizing the former First Lady by naming the complex after her.
He reiterated his government’s determination to ensure that all children in the State enjoy quality education without discrimination.
Also speaking, Justice Suzzette Nyesom Wike said the future success of children depends on good parenting as well as mentoring and guidance received in the school.
“I keep saying that the result of successful parenting, mentoring and guidance is that the children should be better than we are, that is how we know we are successful in our parenting”. Justice Wike quipped.
She urged students of the school not to stray away from the path of God, stressing that it is the only way their glorious destinies could be fulfilled.
Hon Justice Nyeson-Wike thanked the Bishop and his wife Mama Evo, Mrs Chinyere Uchenna Ordu, for naming the school after her.
She said seeing the school girls in their uniform reminds her of her own days more than 35 years ago and commended the Principal of the school for ensuring that the standards of the school were maintained since it was handed over back to the Diocese by the Rivers State Government.
In his own remarks, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule, applauded the State Government for its interventions in ACMGS while commending the Dioceses for initiating the project.
Earlier, the Principal of ACMGS l, Mrs Chinyere Uchenna Ordu, had said the school was handed over to the Anglican Church by the Rivers State Government in 2008, following the handover of Mission Schools to their original owners.
She said their vision is to raise girls who will attain educational, moral and spiritual excellence in Christ.
Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs Ordu appreciated the Diocese of Evo for funding the dormitory project and commended Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike for her passion in the affairs and welfare of the students.
A large contingent of top government officials, traditional rulers and Diocesan officials graced the events.
The dignitaries include the Chairman of the occasion, the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, JP, DSSRS; and Barr. (Mrs.) Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.
Others are: Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, Chairman, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board; Dame. Hon Chinyeru Agbara Esq. (JP), Vice Chairman, Obio/Akpor L.G.A. and Mrs. Emojevwe Ariolu, wife of the Obio/Akpor LGA Chairman.
The top traditional rulers were HRH, Eze Dr. Amb. Sunny Weli Chuku, JP, Paramount Ruler of Elelenwo; HRH Eze Sir S. O. Worlu, Eze Esara; HRH, Eze Amb. Sam Nyeche Ejims Wopara, Paramount Ruler of Rumuobiokani; HRH Eze Sir Simeon Chidi Wokoma JP, Paramount Ruler of the Rumuokwurusi Clan; and HRH, Eze Emeka Ihunwo, Paramount Ruler of Woji Community.
The Diocesan officials included the Chancellor, Sir Nlerum Amadi and a host of clergy and laity.
Also yesterday, Bishop Ordu performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of 12 blocks of flats building for staff of ACMGS as well as the dedication of a new vicarage at the Chapel of Grace and Knowledge Church and a 100 KVA Generator, which are all in the ACMGS compound.
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.