News
RSG To Name Monument After Ex-Speaker
Rivers State Government will immortalise late former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry by naming a monument in his honour.
The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi who gave the hint last Wednesday during a Service of Songs for late Harry at the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt said before the decision would be announced, he and the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly would meet to agree on what monument to name after the late Speaker who died last month after a heart attack.
Governor Amaechi said, “we would put our heads together, myself and the Speaker and we would immortalise Tonye’s name. We would try and look at what is important. Amaechi described the late former Speaker who was also a Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly from 1999-2007, as an administrator and attributed his success as Speaker largely to the contributions of his deputy.
“It means that at any point in time, you can rely on his sagacity; you can rely on his ability to be able to manage situations. You can rely on the fact that he was also a good administrator. I cannot claim to have been a successful Speaker without Tonye’s contributions”, Amaechi recalled.
In his tribute, Senator Magnus Abe described Harry’s sudden death as a shock to him, “this is the most difficult moment of my life. Tonye was a friend and a brother … the reality and finality of what has happened has dawned on everybody”.
Abe and Harry were colleagues at the Assembly between 1999-2003. “We were in the seventh Assembly, we were not only friends and colleagues but a family. He was not just a friend, but a brother”.
Abe said he was pained over Harry’s sudden demise, as he regretted not attending the birthday of the late former Speaker which according to him was the last social landmark in the life of Harry.
Leader of the State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd recalled how late Harry stood by him during his travails in the crisis that rocked the House, stating that the late former Speaker visited him in detention even in the court and pressed for his release.
Delivering a sermon at the event, South-South Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Felix Ekiye challenged public office holders to learn from the life of late Harry.
Rev. Ekiye said public office should be used for the betterment of society such that when one leaves or dies, the people would have good memory of one.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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