News
Children’s Day: Govt Sues For Peace, Security
Adults were reminded of their early days at school, as they watched children from various schools across the state, participate in a match pass organised by the state government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and rehabilitation to mark the 2012 edition of National Children’s Day.
The Federal Government in its wisdom, decided to fix Monday, the 28th May, 2012 for the march past.
It was the climax of a week long programme for the 2012 Children’s Day Celebration in Rivers State, with a theme “Let’s Build a Culture of Peace and Security for the Nigerian Child”.
Delivering his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Joe P. Poromon described the theme for this year’s celebration: as a wake-up call to all stakeholders to a collective effort of making peace and security foundations for the all-round development of the Nigerian child.
He called on all, to use the occasion to renew their love and commitment to the children and assure them of protection.
“The children are a vulnerable group, prone to various forms of evil, we must protect them from exploitation, trafficking neglect, abandonment, street hawking, kidnapping, terrorism, child labour, rape and other forms of abuse. We must also not forget the orphans among them”, he said.
Highlights of the occasion, were the awards of trophies to outstanding winners in the debates and the march past, in junior and senior categories.
Seed of Wisdom School Rumuigbo Port Harcourt, State School Odiokwu in Ahoada, CSS Amadi-Amadi and Pace Setters Missionary School, went home with trophies while the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) and FSP Schools were among those that also went home with trophies in the junior category.
Activities carried out in the week included special church service; an inter-demominational Service at the Royal House of Grace. A discusion programme on the Rivers State Television with the Hon. Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, and the Director, Child Welfare as the guests.
Also witnessed was a facility tour/excursion by children to Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Garden City Radio as well as a debate by children from different schools in the Ministry of Justice’s Conference Hall, and Special Radio/TV broadcast on Radio Rivers, NTA and RSTV.
Advocacy visits were also paid to Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi, and the Chairman Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
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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