News
RSG, NIS Explore Opportunities In Blue Economy
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Rivers State Command, on Monday, hosted a one-day workshop on the potentials of the maritime and Blue Economy.
The workshop themed: “The Coastal State of Rivers and Benefits of the Blue Economy: Stakeholders’ Perspective”, held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.
Declaring the workshop open, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, lauded the Nigeria Immigration Service for their proactive and innovative approaches to providing services especially in Rivers State as he called on sister agencies to support the State and Federal Government harness the abundant natural resources in the State.
Fubara maintained that the State Government shall give full support to the blue economy project through sustained policies and guidelines, as well as encourage private and public sector participation for the overall benefit of Rivers people.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, declared that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative in creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to oversee the economies of the ocean was well-timed.
He added that, Rivers State, being a major coastal state that is endowed with rich ocean resources, would leverage on the vast opportunities marine and blue economy offers.
Speaking further, the governor said, “This workshop perspective is apt, particularly with the emphasis on the sustainable development of ocean resources by the Federal Government.
“I enjoin all stakeholders to take this training seriously, as the state government is ready to implement recommendations that will emanate from the workshop.
“As you are aware, the blue economy, according to the UN is the sustainable use of our ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihood and jobs while preserving the health of our ocean ecosystem.
“Other opportunities such as green infrastructure in the area of renewable energy, maritime, tourism, offshore oil and gas, aquaculture, shipping and logistics, marine biotechnology, etc.
“These are areas that will generate employment for our youths and in turn, produce ripple effect on our economy and internally generated revenue”.
In the same vein, the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Caroline Adepoju, thanked Fubara for collaborating with and supporting the Immigration Service to host and ensure the success of the Blue Economy workshop.
She revealed that the Nigerian Immigration Service had carried out a SWOT analysis of the blue economy potential in the state.
“If properly harnessed, the blue economy will go a long way to enhance the economy of the State. I call on sister agencies and ministries to be on their toes to ensure we support and stand against anything that can stand against the economy of the nation”, she said.
She assured that the Nigerian Immigration Service will continually play its role effectively to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the country.
She also appreciated the governor for providing a second passport office for the Immigration Service.
Also, the NIS Comptroller, Rivers State Command, Sunday James, noted that the workshop being organised in synergy with Rivers State Government was historic as government is keying into the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The workshop witnessed the participation of related agencies, who spoke and presented papers on diverse areas of the maritime and blue economy, such as the Nigeria Shippers Council, NIMASA, Nigeria Ports Authority, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture, among others.
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.