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Deploy Army, DSS To Secure Katsina, Reps Tell FG
The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies to deploy more personnel to address the frequent attacks on the Unguwar Goje community of Katsina State.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.
The motion which dwelt on the urgent need to address incessant banditry attacks in Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, was moved by Shehu Dalhatu.
Recall that on May 7, an unspecified number of people mostly women and children were kidnapped at Unguwar Goje of Sayau Ward Sabuwa Local Government, with their abductors demanding over N1m for their release.
On May 12, five people were killed and scores of others kidnapped when gunmen invaded the Unguwar Hussain community.
Two days later, Dalhatu said bandits again visited Yarmalamai Ward in Faskari Local government killing nine people while “Over 5,000 people were displaced, 4,900 bags of grains were carted away, over 200 herds of cattle were rustled and about 50 shops burnt.”
He added that a recent attack by the bandits led to the death of five soldiers.
The House, following the adoption of the motion, urged the security agencies to deploy their personnel to the Yarmalamai community and also urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and National Emergency Management Agency to provide food and non-food items to save thousands of victims from dying of hunger and severe hardship.
In a related development, the House also considered a motion on “Need to investigate the escalating insecurity in communities within Makarfi-Audan Federal Constituency of Kaduna State that led to the death of Malam Kabiru, the Village Head of Marke Community on May 2, 2024.”
Moved by the lawmaker representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Shehu Ajilo, the motion raised concerns over worsening insecurity affecting the people of Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, which in the words of Ajilo “has almost deprived them of the enjoyment of these inalienable rights guaranteed by the constitution.”
He said, “The House is worried that the most recent incident consumed the life of the village head of Marke; Malam Kabiru Muhammadu, who was slaughtered and set ablaze by his killers, resulting in injuries to some of his household members and loss of properties worth millions of Naira on Thursday May 24, 2024.”
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary session, after the adoption of the motion, directed the Inspector General of Police in conjunction with the military and other security agencies such as the DSS, through their respective House Committees to investigate the recent incident and develop strategic security operations to address the escalating menace in the affected communities.
The House further observed a minute silence in honour of 27 persons killed in Bilbis town, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State on May 10, 2024.
The incident was brought to the notice of the House by the member representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Amadu Kabiru during yesterdays plenary.
The House while extending condolences to the bereaved families of the victims, called on NEMA to provide relief materials to the affected families.
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.