Front Pix
We ’ll Retaliate If… Nigeria Warns S’Africa
The Federal Government, has warned South Africa against the humiliation of Nigerians travelling to the country or face retaliation.
The warning, handed down to South Africa on Monday in Abuja is coming on the heels of the detention and deportation of Nigerians who had sought to enter South Africa last Friday but whose Yellow Fever vaccination cards were suspected to be fake.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, handed down the warning to South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mambolo.
The Ministry said in a statement on Monday, “of particular concern to the Government was the unwarranted detention of a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the South African Port Health and Immigration Authorities for 48 hours at the Oliver R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
“The Permanent Secretary informed the High Commissioner that South Africans travelling to Nigeria, or those residing in Nigeria were not required to produce any evidence of vaccination against Yellow Fever, or for that matter against Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, both of which are prevalent in South Africa.”
The Permanent Secretary wondered whether the latest deportation and similar acts targeted at maltreating Nigerians in South Africa reflected the official position of the Government of South Africa.
Mambolo said the policy was not aimed at Nigerians alone and that Nigerians were not being targeted.
He was quoted in the statement to have said, “he maintained that it was a general requirement for all passengers coming into the country from what he called the ‘Yellow Fever Belt’, which included many West African countries.
“He especially expressed regrets about the treatment of the Senator and assured that the matter would be taken up with his Government immediately.”
The Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, on Monday further drove home the point about the Federal Government taking retaliatory measures.
Briefing State House correspondents on the issue, Moro said the actions would be inevitable if the Nigerian Government finds out that the South African Government had not acted in good faith.
He said that the government would demand for an apology and punishment for the officials who carried out the deportation order from the South African Government.
According to him, the government will do everything possible to get to the root of the problem.
He attributed the cause of the diplomatic row to the South African Police and Immigration whom, he said, had hatred for Nigerians.
“Officials in the Immigration Department are unfriendly to Nigerian travellers,’’ he said.
Ashiru regretted that the South African police randomly arrested Nigerians without just cause.
He said that the brotherly love existing between the leadership of the two countries was lacking among the nationals of the two countries.
Ashiru informed the committee that the Nigerian High Commissioner in that country had been directed to make a strong protest to the South African Government.
He said that the problem would top Nigeria’s agenda at the forthcoming biennial conference.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government said that the recent deportation of 125 Nigerian travellers by South African authorities contravened the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, stated this at a news conference on the International Certificate for Vaccination against Yellow Fever in Abuja.Chukwu described the South African action as an embarrassment to Nigeria.
It will be recalled that some 125 Nigerian travellers were last Friday deported from South Africa for allegedly being in possession of fake Yellow Fever certificates.
According to the minister, no country had so far written a formal report on fake Yellow Fever card to the Nigerian government.
Chukwu said it was curious that a country that had issued entry visas to intending travellers on the presentation of a valid Yellow Card would then turn around to deport same travellers.
“So far, no country, no individual, has made any report to the Ministry on the possession of fake Yellow Card by any one. If there are such cases, the Ministry would like to have reports for necessary investigation.
“It is obviously very curious that a country that had issued entry visas to intending travellers which issuance was in the first instance predicated on the presentation of a valid Yellow Card, will then turn around at the point of entry to deport those travellers.
“If those travellers had fake Yellow Cards, the question will then be how come they possessed valid visas.
Chukwu stressed that Nigeria had no Yellow Fever prevalence and as such its citizens should not have been subjected to such an action from the South African Government.
The minister said that the last confirmed cases of Yellow Fever in Nigeria was in 1995 when 25 cases and one death were recorded.
“The International Certificate of Vaccination or prophylaxis commonly known as Yellow Card has three diseases (Cholera, Yellow Fever and Smallpox: IHR 1969).
The minister added that the international certificate of vaccination or re-vaccination against Yellow Fever was valid only if the vaccine used had been approved by WHO.
“The validity of the Yellow Card extends for a period of 10 years beginning 10 days after the date of vaccination or in the event of a revaccination, 10 years from the date of the revaccination.
“Some countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, India and Saudi Arabia require that Nigerians coming into their country produce evidence of vaccination against Yellow Fever.
He, therefore, advised Nigerians seeking to travel outside Nigeria to do the right thing by receiving the necessary vaccinations and report to the Federal Ministry of Health where the authenticity of the Yellow Cards given to them can be verified.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
NNPCL Lists Transparency, Accountability, Others, As Transformation Drivers
-
News3 days ago
Trafficking: Beware Of Fake $900 Jobs, NAPTIP Warns Nigerians
-
Focus3 days ago
Reminisces On Tributes To Mrs Adeline Ndalu Jaja
-
Nation2 days ago
Ododo Applauds Security Agencies Over Rescue Of 43 Bus Passengers
-
Education4 days ago
Bill To Increase UBEC Funding Passes Second Reading
-
News3 days ago
Food Prices Rise In February 2024 -NBS
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Bayelsa Community Set For Youth Election, Inaugurates Eleco
-
News1 day ago
Deputy Gov Urges Rivers Youths To Read Impactful Books