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Amaechi, British PM Hail Muslims …As Kwande Urges Peaceful Co-Existence

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Some Muslim leaders after observing the Eid-el fitre celebration in Port Harcourt, recently

Some Muslim leaders after observing the Eid-el fitre celebration in Port Harcourt, recently

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has called for love and national rebirth as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid el Kabir.
Amaechi made the call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, wishing Nigerians peace and love as they join the Muslim world in this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said, “festivities like this offer us the opportunity to reflect on our lives, our country, our unity and our growth”
“As we celebrate this year’s ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, we should put our differences aside and strive to make this country a better place by working in love and unity.”
“The same way the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his first born son in obedience to Allah, let us also exhibit the willingness to work together and make personal and collective sacrifices towards building a better Nigeria.”
“We join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating today; and we wish you happy Eid el Kabir. May the blessings of Allah be with you all.”
In a related development, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined Muslim faithful to eschew war, destruction and rancour which are alien to the religion and do not represent the values espoused by Prophet Mohammed.
Governor Amaechi gave this injunction when a delegation of the Muslim community in the State led by Vice President General of the Supreme Council for Islam Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the Governor described Prophet Mohammed as “an epitome of peace,” calling on Muslims to emulate his exemplary lifestyle, urging them to toe the path of peace and love even in the face of provocation.
Also, the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, yesterday felicitated with the Muslim community across the world, as they celebrate Eid el-Kabir.
Cameron, in a statement signed by the British High Commission’s Head of Political and Press Affairs, Mr Rob Fitzpatrick, in Abuja, urged Muslims to see the celebration as a period of selflessness and time to pray for those in need.
“I send my best wishes to Muslims in Britain and around the world, celebrating the holy festival of Eid el-Kabir. I hope you have a joyous and peaceful festival. Eid Mubarak! “At this time of year, as is so often the case, we will see Muslims of all ages and backgrounds putting others before themselves, giving to worthy causes and praying for those in need. “I commend Britain’s near three million Muslims for their charity, their selfless-sacrifice and their devotion to God,’’ he said.
The Minister said that his government was confident in Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus in different parts of Britain.
Cameron, in the statement, also restated his government’s commitment to invest about 0.7 per cent of its gross national income on the “world’s poorest.
“As the year draws to an end, we are reminded of the incredible, and continuing contribution made by Britain’s Muslim communities.
“With a New Year comes renewed hope for the plight of Muslims and others who are suffering in our world.
In the same vain, The Chairman of the Northern Community in Rivers State, Alhaji Ali Kwande has called on Moslem faithful to remain peaceful, law abiding and dedicated to Allah as hey mark, the 2013 edition of Eld-el Kabir.
Kwande who spoke in a telephone interview with The Tide from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, commended the mutual co-existence between Moslems and Christians in Rivers State.
He said the Eld-el Kabir celebration was important as it provided an opportunity for sober reflection and rededication to the will of Allah.
Kwande commended the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi for his development strides in Rivers State and his goodwill towards Moslems and the entire Northern Community in Rivers State.
Commenting on this year’s edition of the hajj, Alhaji Kwande, said the on-going Moslem Pilgrimage was peaceful and lauded the effort of the Chairman, Moslem Pilgrimage Board, Alhaji Sani Okiri in the Co-ordination  of Moslem pilgrims.
Also speaking in an interview with The Tide, the Deputy Imam of Izala Mosque, Yam Zoo, Port Harcourt, Alhaji Sanusi Adamu, said the Eid-el -Kabir celebration was significant to Moslems because it rekindles the agreement between Allah and prophet Ibrahim.
Commenting on the celebration, the Imam at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Niger Street Port Harcourt, said the event was a reminder of the need for Moslems to render total obedience to Allah, as admonished in the Koran.
In his remark, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakir, a worshipper at the NPA residence mosque, said “Moslems celebrate the event in recognition of the love between Allah and his prophets, starting from prophet Ibrahim to prophet Mohammed”.
Meanwhile, former military rulers Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday called on Nigerians to pray for sustained peace and stability of the country.
Speaking shortly after the prayers to mark Eid-el-Kabir at the Minna Central Mosque, the duo, in separate speeches, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and love one another.
“We must respect the tenets of Islam which call for peace and I hope that each one of us will try to maintain peace and be our brother’s keeper’’, Abubakar said.
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger said the country needed peace and unity in any circumstance.
According to him, peace and stability will enable the country to attain its goal of sustained socio-economic development in all spheres of human endeavours.

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Bonny-Bodo Road: FG Offers Additional N20bn, Targets December Deadline

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The Federal Government has agreed to offer additional N20.5 billion for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road project in December.
The government, however, said if the construction company, Julius Berger, was not ready to accept the offer, the contract will be terminated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, said this during a meeting with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Lars Ritcher and members of Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reports that Julius Berger had requested asking for a N28 billion variation on the 82 per cent completed project.
The company hinged its request on the rise in exchange rate, construction materials, and diesel among others.
Umahi, however, said the government was willing to provide N20 billion out of the N28 billion that Julius Berger requested for.
According to him, the Bonny-Bodo road contract which was initially awarded at the cost of N120 billion in 2015, was later varied at N199 billion with a completion dateline of December 2023, which has since elapsed.
The Tide’s source recalls that in 2017, an agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julus Berger on modalities for funding the project cost of N199.923 billion, without any further increase.
“If you do not accept the Federal Government’s offer by Friday and resume work on the site, the previously expired 14-day ultimatum for termination of project will be enforced.
“I want to let you know that we are the client. No contractor will dictate for this ministry, and there is no job that is compulsory that a particular contractor must do.
“We give you an offer. If you do not like the offer, you walk away. You don’t force us or we don’t force you.
“Agreement of contractual relationship is a mutual understanding,’’ the minister said.
Umahi said that had Julius Berger adhered to the project timetable, the project would have been completed on schedule before the impact of foreign exchange.
“Our position is very simple, we reject the conditions of Julius Berger totally and we ask Berger to please go back to the site to complete the project based on our offer.
“Our offer is unconditional and we say, accept or reject, so you cannot subject our offer to your conditions ,’’ he added
Umahi said the company should be humble in its dealings and exhibit solidarity during challenges.
Earlier, Richter had explained that the company suspended work on the site to seek some clarifications from the ministry.
According to him, the company asked for the augmemtation of N28 bilion because as at the time the contract was awarded the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar and diesel was N350 eor litre.
“We will still require some outstanding materials; that means that the initial agreement can’t fly because the variation of project is not sufficient and the exchange rate is also not in our favour to compensate the additional costs.
“That is why we decided to go back to our original proposal of the augmentation. Augmentation is a very normal process for all contracts,” the managing director said.
Chief Abel Attoni, Palace Secretary, Bonny Kingdom, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the decision to complete the Bodo-Bonny road project.
Attonu urged the parties to be patriotic and make the necessary sacrifice for the actualisation of the project.

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Court Vacates Arrest Warrant Against Ehie, Five Others

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The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside the warrant of arrest against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, and five others.
Justice Emeka Nwite stated this while delivering his ruling in an application seeking to vacate the warrant of arrest which he issued on January 31, 2024.
The Judge said he was misled by the police in ordering the arrest of Ehie in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30, 2023.
The Police, had told the court that Ehie and five others masterminded the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid a plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The five others are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter, alias Rambo.
Justice Emeka Nwite while setting aside the warrant said it has now become a mere academic exercise.
The judge further granted same to the 2nd to 5th Defendant/Applicant in same suit.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for the defendants in separate suits, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to have granted the order.
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the January 31 order by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye applied for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
In a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated February 2 and filed on February 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on January 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the complainant had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (IG) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed February 9, on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including
“an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving a three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds that challenge the jurisdiction of the honourable court.
The Inspector-General had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned the defendants on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder.

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13 Students Bag First Class, 182 PhD As IAUOE Graduates 5,550, Today

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The authorities of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State, have stated that 13 students will be graduating with first class while 182 graduands will bag Ph.D during the 42nd convocation ceremony of the university billed to hold today and tomorrow.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during pre-convocation press briefing held in his office, yesterday, to unveil the programme for the convocation ceremony.
Onuchuku said that the 13 students were among the 4,653 graduands expected to graduate for the 2022/2023 academic session with first degree, while 897 students will be graduating with postgraduate degrees.
The Acting Vice Chancellor while giving the breakdown stated that 13 students made first class, 890 students bagged second class upper while 2,739 students had second class lower for first degree.
He further stated that 182 graduands bagged PhD, 667 got master’s degree and 48 got postgraduate diploma, adding that the convocation ceremony will hold today and tomorrow for first degree graduands and postgraduate graduands respectively.
He said that a total of 47 programmes out of the 54 programmes being undertaken at the first degree levels had been given full accreditation by the National University Commission (NUC) as well as all the programmes at the postgraduate school.
“We have ensured that our programmes both at the first degree and post graduates are in line with the NUC stipulated guidelines and speculations. We have also ensured that we are in line with both our academic and administrative policies,” he said.
Prof. Okechukwu urged the graduating students of the institution to always remember to use thier positions to help their alma mater as well as project the institution in a good image in the larger society.
“Try to ensure you finish any project you want to do, evaluate it first and avoid unfinished or abandoned projects. We will be graduating first degree graduands on Friday while Saturday will be for postgraduates, “he added.
Prof. Onuchukwu also said his administration had achieved a lot since he assumed office as Acting Vice Chancellor, stressing that his administration had improved on the welfare of the staff and the students.
“There are a lot of projects completed in the school; we have also given scholarship to some students and also encouraged departments to do same. We also impacted positively on our host communities”, he said.

Akujobi Amadi

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