News
‘Why We Chose Rivers For Miss ECOWAS’
The President of ECOWAS, Mohammad Ibn Chambers says Rivers State was deliberately chosen to host the Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant to show that contrary to media reports and negative perceptions, the state is peaceful.
Mr. Chambers dropped the hint yesterday when he led the organisers and contestants in the Beauty Pageant, on a courtesy visit to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The ECOWAS President noted that Rivers State apart from being peaceful is making appreciable progress and huge strides that would not only be to the benefit of the state and Nigeria, but to the West African sub-region and the entire African Continent.
While acknowledging the dynamic leadership role of Governor Amaechi in the past two years, he explained that the hosting of the second Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant would not have been possible without the personal commitment of Governor Amaechi.
He said all ECOWAS member states, except two, are represented by young ladies who are not only here to show their outer beauty but their inner character and determination to be an example for all the youths in the region, and to build a future of peace, dialogue, understanding and regional integration.
Mr. Chambers expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Rivers State for hosting the first edition of the event in Port Harcourt last year and the second edition this year.
He stated that two prominent musicians from the continent, Mr Jimmy Cliff and Alpha Blonde, have been slated for Awards this year for their pioneering role in music, particularly in Reggae, which has an African root.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi thanked the President of ECOWAS for the privilege of hosting the event as he explained that it is not all about money, if not there could have been many other people to host, but it was about the relationship between the state and the leadership of ECOWAS.
Governor Amaechi who recalled one of the popular songs of Jimmy Cliff, “House of Exile” acknowledged his work and those of other black reggae musicians whom he said used music as a tool to struggle to make every country in Africa gain political independence.
He said before now, music had meaning, but now, musicians play because people want to dance, pointing out that one interesting thing about Raggae is that it originated from Africa.
In their separate speeches, Jimmy Cliff and another music icon, Alfa Blonde, who spoke in French, said they are highly honoured to be in Rivers State for what they described as an historic event.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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