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Amaechi Targets Five Mega Projects …Senator Mamora, Others Extol Gov’s Legacies
As part of celebrations marking the 5th anniversary of his Supreme Court victory, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has listed five key projects that would remain ageless landmarks in the state.
Speaking at the first Pan Rivers Leadership Network Summit yesterday in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi assured of pursuing the Trans-Kalabari Road, Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo Unity Road, and Greater Port Harcourt City Project, including its M1 and M10 roads, among others.
He said the completion of ongoing projects remained his core priority.
Amaechi remarked that, “there will be success in power, education, and health, but there is need for success in sanitation and in other areas as well”.
The governor insisted that the administration will continue to fund the Greater Port Harcourt City scheme and other projects, adding that, “we must move to the next level so that the next government will continue from where we stopped.”
While recalling how he came to power after the Supreme Court victory in 2007, Amaechi explained that his desire to transform the state is borne out of the need to address the inequity and injustice in the polity, with education, health and power as the major drivers.
Against this backdrop, he stated that good governance remained his quest, and promised not to betray the trust of the people.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, Adeleke Olurunimbe Mamora, submitted that the Supreme Court victory of Governor Amaechi was divinely orchestrated to usher changes not just in the state but across the nation.
In Mamora’s views, Amaechi’s victory will be celebrated for a long time since it was a landmark patch of history for Nigeria, and thanked the leadership of Pan Rivers Leadership Network for marking the day and for organising the summit.
However, former minister of petroleum and one of the guest speaker, Prof. Tam David-West, who spoke on, “Reflections on the Quest for Unity in Rivers State: Contemporary Perspectives”, said the one way the state can move forward is to reflect on its present challenges and strive to make it better, adding that, “except Rivers State is united, we cannot have any impact at the federal level.”
Prof. David-West described Amaechi as God-sent, pledging his unalloyed support for his achievements so far, saying that, “any person who says he has not done well is an enemy of Rivers State”.
In her paper titled, “Credible Leadership: Panacea for Socio-Economic Development of Rivers State”, former president, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ayo Obe called on the people to be good followers capable of charting a good course for their leaders.
The activist condemned the swelling sycophancy in the polity, pointing out that constructive criticism gives birth to purposeful leadership.
She, however, praised Governor Amaechi for demonstrating visionary leadership in Rivers State, and urged the people to support good governance at all times.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has ordered the Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi to set up temporary learning facilities in flood camps in the state.
Governor Amaechi, who gave the directive while responding to questions during the Pan Rivers Leadership Summit, said such measure would help engage children meaningfully, while the flood subsides to pave way for full academic activities.
He also directed the commissioner for social welfare rehabilitation to quickly ensure that facilities and more conducive learning environment are provided for the physically challenged students in the state.
However, frontline member of the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) Senator Adeleke Mamora has joined other eminent Nigerians and dignitaries to extol the leadership qualities of the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
Senator Mamora, who chaired the first Pan Rivers State Leadership Network Summit at the mainbowl of the Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said he was humbled by Governor Amaechi’s numerous achievements in the state, which span every sector of the economy.
He said the governor’s achievements were as a result of divine intervention through the landmark 2007 Supreme Court judgement that has shaped the political history of the state.
The Lagos Senator, who described Amaechi’s victory in the supreme court as a celebration of the rule of law over the will of political cabals, said the theme of the summit; “Unity for development of Rivers State: what role for leadership and followership” was apt. He commended the Pan Rivers leadership network for the opportunity given to him to chair the Summit.
Senator Mamora called on Rivers people to throw their weight behind Governor Amaechi to expand the dividends of democracy to all nooks and crannies of the state.
In her presentation, a former President of the Civil Liberties Organisation (C.L.O) and pro-democracy activist, Mrs Ayo Obe, commended Governor Amaechi’s welfainst Programmes in Rivers State.
Obe, who spoke on the topic, “Credible Leadership, a Panacea for Socio-Economic Development of Rivers State: Role of Followership,” said the socio-economic development of the state depended on good followership, pointing out that bad followership was capable of derailing good governance.
She said Governor Amaechi has responded to the imperatives of good governance by providing security and social welfare for the people of Rivers State.
In his remarks, a representative of the Pan Rivers Leadership Network, Chuma Chinye, said the body was established to propagate the ideals of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
Chinye, who is also the commissioner for Commerce in Rivers State, said the body cuts across ethnic and religions divide, and was poise to harness the potentials of the state for full economic development.
Responding, Governor Amaechi, assured that his administration will continue to ensure that the people the state benefit from the common wealth through the provision of basic amenities, such as qualitative education, good health care, security employment power generation and sup ply, among others.
The Governor acknowledged some challenges in governance, especially in the area of environmental sanitation and bad roads, and called on the people of the state to pay their social welfare taxes to fund the various development projects in the state.
Taneh Benemene
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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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