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Ameliorate Sufferings Of Nigerians, Evo Synod Urges Govt
The Second Session of the Fifth Synod of the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Communion, Rivers State, ended on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service at St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Oroigwe District in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a communiqué released after the sessions, and signed by the Diocesan Bishop and President of Synod, The Rt. Rev. Innocent Uchechukwu Ordu; Chancellor of the Diocese, Barr. Sir Nlerum Amadi; and Clerical Synod Secretary, Rev. Canon Dr. Ebenezer Owhor, the Synod called on the Rivers State and Federal Governments to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
The Synod believed that human capital development would promote food sustainability, create jobs and reduce crime and criminality in the society.
The Synod also called on the new administration in Rivers State to prioritise the welfare of workers and retirees while expressing its gratitude to the government for its constant support of the Diocese and Churches in the State.
The Synod, however, expressed concerns about the poor conduct of the last general elections despite the humongous amount of money given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Other areas of concern raised by the Synod include “the blatant nepotism, ethnicity and flagrant bias in appointments into public offices as observed in the last administration, while urging the new administration to make concerted efforts at healing the ethnic and religious divisions in the country.
The Synod further urged the Presidential Election Petition Courts to deliver informed and transparent judgment that would be premised on the facts and evidence before it, as this alone would satisfy the populace and establish the country among true democratic nations in the world.
Speaking during the Thanksgiving Service, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, assured Rivers people of his unwavering commitment to the formulation and implementation of policies that will drive good governance and promote all-round development in the State.
“We will do all we can to do the things that will benefit our people and enhance all round development in our State,” he said.
The Governor further assured the Church that he would stay true to his Christian faith by stating that ‘I will continue to uphold the Christian virtues and strive to live in the tenets of my Christian beliefs’.
He re-echoed his administration’s desire to promote youth empowerment and invest in massive agricultural programmes.
The Governor concluded by appreciating the bishop and the entire Evo diocesan community for their prayers, which, he stated, saw him through in the last elections.
Earlier in the Service, the Bishop of Esan Diocese, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Elabor, who delivered his sermon on the topic: “That Wonderful Name of Jesus,” with text from Phil. 2:5–11, stated that the name of Jesus saves, rescues and salvages mankind from all situations.
The Preacher further identified power, authority, confidence and victory as some things that make the name of Jesus unique in all the world.
The highpoint of the service was the special empowerment of Women and Students by the Evo Diocesan Council of Knights with business starter packs and scholarships, respectively.
Governor Fubara took the only lesson in the Service as Bishop Ordu led the visiting Bishop and the team of Clergy to pray for the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and other top officials of the Rivers State Government present.
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.