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PH Centenary: Jonathan,Gowon To Grace Symposium …Amaechi Reassures On Cultural Revival
President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State, Dr Yakubu Gowon are among dignitaries expected at the symposium being organised to commemorate the centenary celebration of the city of Port Harcourt.
According to the Port Harcourt City centenary celebration planning committee, the symposium with the theme: Port Harcourt City, Past, Present and Future” will hold at the main bowl, Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 10.00am, with the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as chief host.
The Port Harcourt City centenary celebration which was flagged off in August with a marathon race featured a Jumaat service and an international church service in September, 2013, while a road show was organised on October 25, 2013. A cultural display by ethnic groups took place at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, last Saturday as part of the centennial festivities.
A release from the office of the Secretary to the State Government by Chidi Adiele indicated that the finals of the football competition would hold at the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia on Saturday, November 2, 2013
Several shows and gigs are also expected to take place at Elekahia.
Also scheduled as part of the celebration are opening of an exhibition and a museum on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Civic Centre, the Miss Centenary Beauty Pageant and the Banquet Award Night which will take place at the Banquet Hall of Government House on November 13 and November 30, 2013 respectively.
More shows and gigs will take place in Diobu on December 7, while a centenary cultural fiesta featuring boat regatta, street parades and a big band concert will hold from December 15-21, 2013.
Port Harcourt, a name founded by the colonial Governor General, Sir Fredrick Luggard in 1913 in honour of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Viscourt Harcourt became the second most important city after Lagos, being the second town to attain first –class township status in 1949.
In 100 years, Port Harcourt has grown from being the take-off point for movement of coal across the West African coastline to becoming the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and West Africa.
The city is celebrating a new vision that will make Port Harcourt in the next 100 years a megacity and the leading West African international cosmopolitan trading and leisure centre.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has restated its commitment towards the revival of the culture of the various ethnic groups in the state.
The governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi stated this at the weekend in Port Harcourt, during cultural displays by different ethnic groups as part of activities commemorating the centenary of Port Harcourt City.
Governor Amaechi who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, also urged the people to always identify with their rich cultural heritage.
The governor described culture as part and parcel of people of various ethnic groups, stating that his government would continue to focus on the promotion of the rich culture of the people.
He commended the various cultural groups that turned out for the event for their level of maturity and called on youths in the various communities to cultivate the attitude of peace for which their people were known.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nabbs Imegwu said that Rivers State would continue to showcase her rich cultural heritage to the world.
Dr Imegwu said that the state annual cultural festival (CARNIRIV) had done so much in the promotion of her rich cultural heritage and commended the various cultural groups for turning out enmass for the event and solicted their continued support to make the centenary celebration a success.
Cultural groups which turned out for the event included those from Opobo, Kalabari, Oroigwe, Yoruba and the Akarikpo masquerade of Khana
Alpheaus Paul-Worika
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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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