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Amaechi, Akinyemi Hail Ekwueme At 80 …As Fiscal Federalism, Nat.Confab Top Discourse
Former Minister of External Affairs Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi says a national conference to dialogue on Nigeria’s future is pertinent in view of challenges currently rocking the country.
Prof. Akinyemi made his position public yesterday while speaking at a special lecture to commemorate the 80th birthday of former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the topic,’’ Strengthening the Foundation of Peace and Stability, ‘’ the professor of International Affairs and Diplomacy also said the present federal system being practised in the country needs dire restructuring.
He believed that,’’ Nigerian federalism has been driven by the agitation for identity recognition by nationality groups ‘’.
Akinyemi who served as external Affairs Minister during the regime of military president, Ibrahim Babangida re-echoed Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s position earlier in the church thanksgiving service, where he recommended that some powers should be given to the federating states in areas concerning fiscal federalism, state police and equal representation.
The former minister who flayed the present federal structure opined that its not working hence the rising agitation among the different nationalities.
He asserted,’’…national groups continue to agitate for states of their own even though embedded in each new state will be minorities that will agitate for new states of their own. Does this mean that endless creation of states is the only way to ensure peace, equity and stability in Nigeria? The answer is no’’.
Prof. Akinyemi called for a restructuring based on equity,’’ Just as Dr. Ekwueme came up with ingenious idea of zonal federalism, we must come up with ingenious new ideas to address our own realities. We cannot have state for each national group in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Rather than creating more states to satisfy regional demands, Akinyemi suggested the need to engender trust based on what he called the ‘principle of reciprocity and mutual respect’ where all ethnic groups will have a sense of belonging in the polity.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has extolled former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekuweme for being a detribalised and passionate leader for a better Nigeria.
Amaechi made the commendation at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service organised by Ekwueme’s Committee of Friends in collaboration with state government yesterday at St Paul’s Cathedral Diobu in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the Second Republic number two citizen has demonstrated great zeal towards having a better Nigeria, and promised to follow in his steps.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum noted that Ekwueme’s lifestyle is a challenge for the younger politicians like him, saying” be rest assured that some of us who look up to you after looking to God, will continue the struggle as you are still struggling for, and see whether there will be a better Nigeria. And I pray that there will be a better Nigeria’’, he added.
He continued,’’ the best birthday gift we have for you is to reassure you that we will support you in this struggle’’.
While congratulating him for the milestone of clocking 80 years, Amaechi wished the former Vice President well in the future.
Responding, Dr. Ekwueme expressed elation for the honour accorded him.
He expressed delight that so much honour was coming from all parts of the country, adding that’’ as I told everybody I’am not in a hurry and I think every one will have a memory of me to celebrate’’.
The former vice president thanked the government and people of the state for the honour done him, and prayed for more years ahead.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop of Niger Delta North Province, Rt Rev. Ignatius Kattey had said the birthday marks the beginning of a new era in the life of Dr. Ekwueme and prayed God to continue to use him as an instrument of change.
The cleric reminded the celebrant of the need to be grateful to God at every stage of life, stressing that,’’at every stage of our life, God gives us a task to accomplish ‘’.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has sued for better federalism through constitutional amendment.
He made his mind public while speaking at the thanksgiving service in honour of Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Amaechi maintained that Nigerians should use the current constitutional amendment exercise to seek for better polity.
‘’ It is important that we get the unity of the country in a proper way that the country will move forward and I will join in that ‘’, he observed.
Said he,’’as usual, Nigerians have started dealing with cosmetics and not the reality…not the reality of power devolution, not the reality of the structure of the country, but the reality of how much is shared and who is sharing what.’’
He maintained that it is pertinent to bring into proper perspective issues addressing the unity of the country, so the country can move forward.
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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