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Dame Jonathan Mourns Foster Mother’s Death

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There was an uneasy cloud of anxiety in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, the home town of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday, as news of the death of the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs. Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba spread in the ancient coastal city in Rivers State.
Late Mrs. Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba, who was aged 65, was involved in a ghastly motor accident at around 4.30pm on Monday along Isiokpo-Elele Road in Rivers State on her way to Bayelsa State.
Her death comes barely three weeks after Dame Patience Jonathan, buried her step father, late Pa Derifaka Idasetima in Okrika.
The immediate elder sister of the first lady, Mrs Blessing I.S. Lazarus, told The Tide, in a tearful mood, yesterday in Okrika, that “the late Mrs Charity Oba was the mother of everybody in the family”, adding that she was the wife of their elder brother, Mr Francis Lazarus Oba.
“We are crying for her death because we are going to miss her motherly care and advice. It will really create a vacuum in our family,” she said, adding that “honestly, her death came to us in the family as a big shock.”
She described Mrs Charity Francis Oba, fondly called ‘Mama Sisi’, who also nurtured Dame Patience Jonathan after the demise of her biological mother in 1993, as “a nice, caring and God-fearing family woman,” saying that “the family is currently in a state of mourning.
“Our President, Goodluck Jonathan recognised late Mrs Charity Oba as his mother-in-law, hence we did not meet his wife’s biological mother”, she added.
When The Tide met the elder brother of the first lady, he pleaded not to be disturbed, saying that he has instructions from the Protocol team at the Presidency not to comment of the death, and referred our correspondents to his younger brother, one Mr Inyengierefaka, the national president of PFON, who resides at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the state.
The Tide could not reach Inyengierefaka for comments on the sudden death of their cherished sister.
However, a family relation, Mrs Roselyn Abibo, said she heard the news of the death of ‘Mama Sisi’ in Port Harcourt yesterday afternoon with shock, and decided to visit Okrika to get full details of the incident from the family.
She said “as a person who lived and stayed together with them in their Sukube Oba House, I am saddened by the shocking death of our mother,” adding that “a big tree has fallen in the family.”
Chief Isaac Zeb Obipi, the Ogulacha 11 of Okrika and a senior university lecturer in the state, expressed sympathy with the family, saying that he “received the news of the death of Madam Charity Oba with shock and broken heart”.
Chief Obipi said the first lady needed late Mrs Charity Oba’s motherly support and advice most at these trying times in the history of the nation, saying “it is painful”.
He prayed God to give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and advised the first lady to be strong, and not allow the circumstances of the death to dampen her good spirit and works to strengthen women and children in the country.
A man of God, Pastor Miebaka Akuroseokika of St Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika, expressed sorry over the sudden death of ‘Mama Sisi’ in such a manner, and prayed God to strengthen the family.
In her words, Mrs Boma Obienime said, “it is disheartening that Dame Patience Jonathan should face such a calamity,” and added that Mrs Charity Oba was a woman who left everything to God.
When contacted, the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, “I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details.”
But the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, confirmed yesterday that the foster mother of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan was among the two victims that lost their lives in a tragic motor accident that occurred along Isiokpo-Elele Road in Rivers State last Monday evening.
She said that the vehicle conveying the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs Charity Tamunowaritoku Francis Oba, lost control on the Isiokpo-Elele Road on its way to Bayelsa State, and somersaulted five times before ditching into the bush.
She confirmed that apart from the foster mother of the first lady, Mrs Charity Oba, a 14-year old student of the Adventist Secondary School, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, whose name was simply given as Miss Favour, also lost her life in the crash.
Agabe explained that Mrs Charity Oba and Miss Favour died on the spot when the car somersaulted while the driver of the vehicle, one Stanley Enyindah and another occupant, sustained various degrees of injuries, and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the state capital for treatment.
She stated that the corpse of late Charity Oba was taken to Kpaima Mortuary in Elechi Beach area of Diobu, in Port Harcourt by a team of policemen.
An aide to the member representing Ogu/Bolo State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bapakaye Bipi also confirmed the death of Mrs Charity Oba in a road accident.
Fred Itobo, said that the president’s wife’s foster mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State.
“Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary,” Itobo said.
Itobo further confirmed that Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased, was among those who took the corpse of Mrs Charity Oba to Kpaima Mortuary.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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