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FG Dissolves NDDC Board, Sacks MD
President Goodluck Jonathan, has dissolved the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In a press statement issued yesterday, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the President also directed the Managing Director, Mr Chibuzor Ugwuoha and other members of the Executive of the Commission to hand over all the commission’s property in their possession to the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Osaro Areyenka with immediate effect.
The statement read as follows: “Following the conclusion of the assignment of the Presidential Committee to look into the problems facing the NDDC and subsequent submission of the report of the Committee, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, after due consideration of the report has approved the dissolution of the Board of NDDC with effect from today, 13th September, 2011”.
A new Board for the Commission would be reconstituted soon. The Managing Director and other Executive members are to hand over all commission’s items in their custody to the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Osaro Areyenka”.
The dissolved board was headed by Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan.
In the past eight months, there had been disagreements between the NDDC Managing Director and the board over management of the N69billion projects being executed by the commission.
Another issue which created a board crisis was the alleged transfer of $20million belonging to the NDDC from the Union Bank in the United Kingdom to First Bank (UK) Plc.
While the MD got approval from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to save the commission from losing its funds to distress in Nigerian banks, the board denied giving any approval.
The disagreement led to the setting up of Oronsaye’s Administrative Panel.
Although there was pressure on the presidency to suspend the Managing Director, the President resisted it based on “the need for fair hearing.”
The Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta expressed concern at developments at the commission.
The National Chairman of TROMPCON, Oba (Dr.) Lawrence Adetemi Omowole III, who is also the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, said Oronsaye’s panel was a welcome development.
The traditional ruler said: “It is with joy and relief that TROMPCON received the constitution of an Administrative Panel by President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to look into the crises in the commission as well as identify areas of rifts with a view to proffering solutions that will enhance institutional potency as well as strengthen the values and virtues of the commission.”
“Above all, by taking a radical departure from the past in which those accused are suspended before enquiries, President Jonathan has by his action, given a clear indication of his readiness to let the public have a better insight and perception of the problems bedeviling the NDDC.
“This attests to a new and commendable presidential direction in the gospel of rule of law and due process.”
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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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CBN Donates 2m Bags Of Fertiliser Worth N100bn To Farmers
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has donated over 2 million bags of fertilisers worth N100 billion to farmers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Mr Yemi Cardoso, the Governor of the CBN, presented the bags of fertilisers to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Cardoso said that the gesture aligned with a core objective of the apex bank and the agriculture ministry, which is food security.
He said that the initiative also resonated deeply with livelihoods of all Nigerians, and was aimed at curbing escalating cost of food.
“The CBN places a significant emphasis on maintaining price stability as one of its primary mandates.
“Food prices are a crucial component of inflation, especially considering that a substantial portion of household expenditure in Nigeria is allocated to food and non-alcholic beverages.
“This reinforces the critical need to address food inflation as a pivotal aspect of managing overall headline inflation, “ the CBN governor said.
Cardoso also said that the apex bank had been implementing measures to curb inflation over time.
“But in the short term, the inflationary pressure may persist, predominantly driven by escalating food prices.
“This is why we are strengthening our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with the shared objective of mitigating the surge in food prices.
“The CBN has veered away from direct quasi-fiscal intervention and transiting towards leveraging conventional monetary policy tools for executing monetary policy effectively.
“We want to extend our support and closer ties with Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that bear this mandate.
“And we aim to enhance our partnership with the agriculture ministry to enhance food productivity and security “ he said.
In his response, Kyari, commended the apex bank for the kind gesture.
He assured the CBN governor that the fertilisers would be effectively distributed to farmers.
“We will deliver the fertilisers to the farmers and ensure its judicious use to address the galloping inflation, “ he said.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, who was also present at the event, commended the CBN for the gesture towards price stability.
According to Bagudu, 2.15 million bags of fertilisers will go a long way towards controlling the ever increasing cost of food.
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