Front Pix
Chibok Girls Protesters List Posers For FG; Direct Your Protests To Terrorists, Not Govt -Jonathan …Abduction: A National Embarassment -Amaechi
Protesters under the “Bring Back Our Girls” banner, have raised ten questions to the Federal Government relating to the resolution of the Chibok girls abduction saga.
Posing the questions to a delegation of more than 10 ministers and many Presidential Advisers who received them at the Federal Secretariat Abuja,on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, the protesters among other issues, tasked government to establish the authenticity of the abduction.
They also tasked the Federal Government on the need for regular update on the rescue process. The group also asked questions on the actions taken after the president returned from France, the effectiveness of the state of emergency and whether government would negotiate with Boko Haram.
The group requested to know the level of collaboration between the Federal and state governments in the rescue efforts and what government was doing to protect schools from attacks.
However, receiving he protesters, President Goodluck Jonathan admonished them not to politicise their protests in the country.
The protesters, numbering about 150 and led by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, were demanding the release of the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State.
Jonathan was represented by a delegation of Ministers and Presidential Advisers led by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
In the address read by Olajumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jonathan said the campaign was just and government identified with it.
Jonathan said that because he identified with the protest, he had sent such a delegation of more than 10 ministers and many presidential advisers to receive the protesters.
He, however, cautioned against the possibility of hijacking such protests for political and selfish motives.
The President added that protests on terrorism should be directed at the terrorists and should not be used as a blame game.
He emphasised that there must be a united movement for the release of the girls, which should be turned to a united action against terrorism.
He said: “We appeal to your group and others that your genuine patriotic zeal is matched with the realistic understanding of the situation in expressing concerns and sentiments on this matter and other matters of terrorism.
“Government believes that we must all come together to fight terrorism and that protest should be directed at the terrorists who have abducted our daughters and deprived them of a place at the fountain of freedom in our country.
“When terrorists see Nigerians turned on each other in blame, it gives them a huge morale boost.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that the terrorists are the real enemies.
“We must not politicise the protests.
“When a bomb detonates in Baghdad, Kabul, Afghanistan, the people there do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.
“When a bomb blows up in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the terrorists.
“This is the task of this generation.”
Jonathan said contrary to perception in certain quarters, his administration responded swiftly to the kidnap of the girls by the immediate deployment of security after the abductors.
He said: “Government has mobilised resources, military and diplomatic, in the search for the girls who had suffered so much trauma in captivity.
“Government took action the very day the kidnapping occurred by deploying security services to go after the abductors.
“The president meets with the security chiefs almost daily and it is in constant consultation with regional and global partners on the kidnap.”
Jonathan also underscored the need for Nigerians to encourage the military and stop castigating them.
He said: “Our security forces are among the best trained in Africa and they are making so mush sacrifices in the fight against terror.
“As we sleep daily, they are in the field confronting the enemy.
“They need our support, not attacks and discouragement.
“They are also losing their lives for us.”
Jonathan encouraged civil society groups to use their influence to encourage Nigerians to supply useful information to security services using the emergency number 112.
The President appreciated the orderly manner they organised the protest and thanked all local and international groups that had protested the senseless abduction.
He noted that with the protest, the right of assembly had not been violated but protected.
Earlier, one of the leaders of the protest and wife of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Maryam Uwais, had read a letter dated May 11 and directed to the President.
In the letter, they underscored the need for government to double its efforts at rescuing the girls and made proposal on solution to terrorism.
The letter was handed over to the SGF for onward delivery to the president.
The protesters also took turns to ask 10 questions from the delegation.
In a related development, Rivers State Governor ,Chibuike Amaechi has said that the continued stay of the abducted school girls in the hands of their abductors one month after, has become a national embarrassment.
The governor stated this yesterday in Port Harcourt, when members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) lead a protest to Government House, Port Harcourt to register their grievance over the abducted school girls.
The governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Fortune Oguru urged the teachers to be patient as he assured them that the kidnapped Chibok girls would soon regain their freedom.
Amaechi expressed sympathy with families and teachers over the abduction said, “ my heart goes to the parents and I know how they would be feeling now. I know how I would have felt if my daughter was involved.”
Since the matter has become an international issue with the support and intervention of world powers like the USA, France and China, he expressed optimism that terrorism will be adequately tackled,”
We are hoping that in the next few days solutions will be found to this tragedy. It’s a national embarrassment and we don’t know what to say …Please, take heart, we know how the teachers are feeling.”
He lauded the union for showing concern, and urged to remain law abiding.
On his part, Chairman of NUT in the state, Comrade Wogu Geofrey said the union wants to use the protest to agitate for their over 173 colleagues, who lost their lives in the terror unleashed in the North-East part of the country.
He called on the government to compensate those families of teachers who died in course of duty while urging both the national and international community to do everything possible to get the abducted girls out from the hands of their abductors.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had on Wednesday directed its various chapters nationwide to carry out protest over the abducted Chibok school girls.
At a press conference in Abuja, the President of NUT, Comrade Micheal Olukoya, stated that the union had resolved to hold #BringBackOurGirls rallies, simultaneously, across the 36 Nigerian States of the federation and in Abuja.
According to Mr Olukoya, all schools nationwide shall be closed, as the day will be NUT’s day of protesting the abduction of the girls, as well as the heartless murder of 173 teachers.
Olukoya said that even they mourn the death of colleagues, they will start and continue with the protest until our girls are brought back safe and alive. “The perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book,” he added passionately.
Lamenting the killing of 173 teachers from both Borno and Yobe States, he implored the government to show concern to the plight of the deceased teachers by compensating their families.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
-
Politics4 days ago
LP Petitions SGF Over Alleged Office Vandalism By NLC
-
News4 days ago
Ban On Foreign Trips’ll Save Nigeria N5bn Quarterly -Tinubu
-
Sports2 days ago
Corruption: China Jails FA President For Life
-
Politics2 days ago
EFCC’s Eyes On You, Gov Alia Warns LG CTC Chairmen
-
Niger Delta13 hours ago
Cross River Judiciary Unveils Small Claim Courts For Debt Recovery
-
Business8 hours ago
Abuja Farmers, Others Lose N12bn To Ginger Disease
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Innovation, Key To Sustainable Energy Dev – Stakeholder
-
Sports4 days ago
NWFL:Heartland Queens’ Winger Sure Of Victory Against Abia Angels