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FG Recovers N21bn Budget Surplus …Plans Climate Change Campaign For N’ Delta
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has recovered more than N21 billion as “operating surplus” from 18 corporate organisations last year.
The Commissioner for Strategic Communications, Mr Adewunmi Abitoye, made the announcement yesterday in Kaduna shortly after officials of the commission paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Namadi Sambo.
He said the amount was immediately remitted to the Federal Government’s consolidated account.
Abitoye said that “ operating surplus” was the funds generated by corporate agencies outside the budgeted amount for a particular year.
The commissioner, who represents the west geo-political zone on the commission, said the agencies were expected to remit 80 per cent of such fund to the federation account.
He said the funds were recovered after the agencies failed to remit the excess funds to the federation account.
The Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Yelwa, said the commission members were in the state to sensitise government officials on the need to imbibe best practices to fast-track the socio-economic development of the area.
“We were established by an Act in 2007 to ensure standard practices for greater efficiency in allocation and management of public expenditure,” he added.
Yelwa said six state governments, including those of Lagos, Kebbi, Bauchi, Gombe, Abia and Imo were already implementing the fiscal responsibility policy to enhance productivity and transparency in their ministries.
He said the policy, if effectively implemented, would enhance equity in the distribution and application of economic resources.
Responding, Sambo said the state government had adopted various policies, including the Procurement Act, to ensure prudence in its fiscal applications.
Sambo, represented by Mr Waje Yayok, Secretary to the State Government, said government was collaborating with the World Bank and other institutions to ensure transparency in allocation of funds.
In another development, the Federal Ministry of Environment said it was set to commence “massive” awareness programme on climate change in the nine erosion prone states in the Niger Delta region.
Mr Yerima Tarfa, an Assistant Director, Climate Change Unit, of the ministry, told newsmen, Tuesday, in Abuja that the programme would take place in Calabar towards end of April.
Tarfa said that the programme would enlighten the people in the area about the threat and impact of the global phenomenon.
According to him, the programme wouldl witness the participation of people at the grassroots.
He said that another sensitisation programmme that would bring together people at the grassroots and stakeholders among others, would also hold in Gombe in May.
The assistant director said the ministry had organised several awareness programmes to educate the people about the implication of climate change, incliuding jingles and dramas.
“ We have done a lot in the area of creating awareness on the impact of climate change, through jingles on television, radio and drama among others.
“These are the channels through which we have been able to disseminate the information,” he said.
He, however, said that some stakeholders and NGOs, such as the Nigeria Climate Action Network (NigeriaCan) and Henrich Boll Foundation, were partnering with the ministry to create awareness at the grassroots.
“For the past three years, the Henrich Boll Foundation, one of our partners, had supported the unit in creating awareness on climate change especially at the frontline desert prone states,” Tarfa added.
Tarfa said that the government was driving a private public partnership programme to produce a National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action (NASPA), adding that the climate change unit had provided a secretariat for the NASPA.
Members of NASPA were NGOs and other stakeholders, he said, adding that the objective of the group was to create awareness about climate change and other related issues at the grassroots.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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