News
President’s Victory End To Ethnic Politics
A cross section of Nigerians have hailed the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential elections, saying it represents a new dawn in the political evolution of Nigeria.
Reacting to the victory in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the stakeholders said the victory of Jonathan at the polls signalled the end of ethnic politics in the country.
Last Monday, the Attaihuri Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared President Jonathan as the winner of the presidential elections with 22,495,187 votes, while his closest rival, Mohammadu Buhari polled 12, 214, 853 votes.
Declaring Jonathan the winner, Jega said the PDP presidential candidate won 25 per cent in 31 states plus the FCT seven states more than the mandatory constitutional requirement of 24 states, while Buhari scored 25 per cent in 16 states and the FCT.
Excited over the victory, Senator George Thompson Sekibo representing, Rivers East Senatorial district at the National Assembly said the election of President Jonathan represents the determination of Nigerians to put an end to ethnic politics and support for any leader that will deliver democratic dividence that would promote their well being.
Senator Sekibo, who was re-elected, said Jonathan receiving more than 25 per cent of the votes in 31 states and FCT shows that Nigerians have kept their promise to elect a humble committed and detribalised leader.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Development and Support Initiatives (CEPS), Mrs Mina Ogbanaga attributed the success story of Jonathan at the polls to hardwork and determination .
Also speaking, the Secretary of Rivers State Female Aspirants Forum, Mrs Asele Abigo Tshuinza, said that the victory has shown that there is no more minorities in Nigeria.
“There is always a time when God directly intervenes in the affairs of men. I believe that this time, God has heard the cries of the minorities and has decided to choose a son to lead and transform Nigeria, West declared.
The former Director-General, State Security Service (SSS), Chief Albert K. Horsfall while commending the transparency of the conduct of the Saturday’s presidential election in the country, said the process and subsequent declaration of the results has rekindled hope that the democracy has come to stay.
The former SSS boss who is also the chairman of the Social Rehabilitation Committee in Rivers State also commended the youths of the Niger Delta for not retaliating the violence that occurred in some parts of the northern states, adding that this has shown that they embraced the amnesty programme of the federal government.
Former ACN leader in the state, Prince Tonye Princewill said Nigerians voted for Goodluck Jonathan because of his personality and his commitment in the past 10 months to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
Princewill said the election of Jonathan was not the wide acceptance of the PDP but the peoples appreciation for his transparency in the system even as he condemned the post-election violence that erupted in some parts of the north.
The traditional ruler, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O. Robinson and NULGE, Rivers State Chapter Chairman, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo agreed that Jonathan’s victory was well-deserved.
“President Jonathan has shown within the short period he has been in office that he is equal to the task of governing our great nation. Under him, there has been improvement of power from what it used to be; perennial fuel scarcity is now history as the long queues at filling stations have disappeared for good, workers welfare have been improved upon. And we can all see his humility and sincerity of purpose so he deserves to win for him to do more for the nation,” the Ekpeye monarch said.
Eze Robinson, a former Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers however thanked their counterparts in the North for the rallying support for Jonathan at the election, describing it as unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
Ajinwo, said Jonathan’s victory was not unexpected, going by his track- record within his relatively short stay in office as president and advised him to double his efforts at recording more achievements for the country.
He challenged Jonathan to rise to the challenge of revamping the economy especially in the power sector as well as ensuring that members of his new cabinet are those who truly believe in his vision of a great Nigeria
He also made case for industrial development of the country as well as the need to ensure the automony of local government
Let him ensure that he boosts the industrial development of this country by tackling the power sector. It is not an impossible thing for Nigeria to have steady electricity.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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