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CARNIRIV: Tourists Flood PH
CARNIRIV: Tourists Flood PH
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Hundreds of tourists have arrived Port
Harcourt, as the Rivers Carnival gathers momentum.
Some tourists, who spoke to newsmen, said
that the festival ranked among the best in the country, adding that in spite of
the heavy traffic and exorbitant hotel cost, the festival promised to be a
memorable one.
A tourist from Lagos, Mr Christian Adebayo,
said he was impressed with the activities so far on display. “Despite the high
cost of hotel accommodation; I’m having so much fun here and I pray that my
state governor replicates this initiative in Ogun state,” Adebayo said.
According to him, after one year of stress,
it’s nice to come here and meet different people from different cultural,
traditional and ideological backgrounds “and relax and enjoy oneself”.
Another tourist, Mr Udoh Effiong, from a
Calabar, who came with his family, said the festival had improved.
Effiong said the festival offered him the
opportunity to move away from the hassles of life as well as spend quality time
with his family. He, however, said the traffic situation had affected his plans
to further explore the city.
A businesswoman from Maiduguri, Hajia Halima
Mahmud, said that she travelled far to the state to witness the carnival in
order to explore business opportunities in the city.
She said that she was impressed with the
cultural display so far and commended the state government for the initiative.
Mahmud said that she was interested in the
costumes displayed at the carnival and would try to toe the line of business in
order to make profit.
A commercial bus driver, Mr Azubuike Amadi,
said that with the influx of visitors, his daily income had nearly tripled
since the commencement of the festival.
He, however, said that the traffic situation
had limited his business expectations during the festival. According to him,
the state government should urgently construct more roads, so as to avert
future traffic gridlock during the festival.
A costume retailer at the carnival village,
Ms Susan Harry, said she had made good sales due to the influx of people in the
area.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Tourism
Development Agency (RSTDA) says it is partnering with the state traffic
management agencies to ensure free-flow of traffic during the “CARNIRIV 2012”
as Port Harcourt witnessed increased human and vehicular traffic since it began
on December 9.
Director-General of the agency and a popular
Nollywood actor, Dr Sam Dede, told newsmen yesterday that the agency also
engaged 250 volunteers to act as road marshals for the festival.
He said; “We are in en-sync (partnership)
with the Traffic Management Authority of Rivers State (TIMARIV). “We are
en-sync with the Federal Road Safety Corporation, the Police and everybody that
is a specialist in traffic management. “The same thing we expect to see on the
day of the freestyle parade; we are putting on ground 250 volunteers as traffic
Marshals and some of these volunteers are commissioners in the state ex-co; we
are not taking anything to chance at all.
Meanwhile, residents and tourists have a
tourist, who spoke to newsmen at the carnival village, commended the state
government for the festival.
A civil servant in the state, Mr Michael
Ideka, said the cultural festival would engage the youth and reduce the crime
rate during the festive period.
“Festive period like this; by one engagement
or the other; they (organisers) have little money they pay them; so they
(youths) will be focused on these things at this period; they will not think of
doing things negatively.”
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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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