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APC Hails Amaechi Over UN Fellowship Award
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has hailed the award to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as an Associate Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Geneva, Switzerland.
“This award of Associate Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), awarded on Governor Amaechi in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 3, 2014, is no doubt well deserved in view of his monumental achievements in the educational sector since his assumption of office as governor some seven years ago. It is instructive that this great recognition is coming hot on the heels of the conferment of the status of World Book Capital on the state capital, Port Harcourt,” Rivers APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.
The party noted that the Amaechi administration has so far revolutionised the education sector in the state to the extent that Rivers is the best state in Nigeria education-wise with 21st century educational facilities, the type of which can only be found in the advanced countries of the world.
“In addition, the Amaechi administration has promoted overall United Nations activities in the South-South geo-political zone through the provision of outstanding facilities that can house over 15 UN agencies in Port Harcourt. As a result, there are five United Nations agencies in Rivers State at the moment and more are expected to follow in due course,” Rivers APC stated.
“We understand that previous recipients of this coveted Fellowship have been mainly drawn from the pool of Professors Emeritus with huge academic records in research in global governance, security, social justice, development, and environmental preservation. This, therefore, highlights the significance of this very award – one in a long list of honours that speak eloquently about the unmatched track record of the Amaechi administration,” the statement added.
The party thanked Governor Amaechi for placing Rivers prominently on the world map through his great administrative acumen, and expressed the hope that he would not relent as his administration enters the home stretch.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has called for the dismissal of the controversial FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu who on Monday banned peaceful protests by the Oby Ezekwesili-led #BringBackOurGirls coalition, only to be over-ruled by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar on Tuesday.
Rivers APC described Mbu’s action as “the height of embarrassment to the Nigeria Police,” and demanded that “Mr Mbu should be shown the way out of the force now before he drags the name of the force deeper into the mud.”
Rivers APC, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said that “Mr. Mbu obviously did not clear with his superior, the IGP, a disgraceful action that illustrates his disdain for good order, decorum and constituted authority.
“How on earth could Mbu outlaw the #BringBackOurGirls peaceful rallies aimed at awakening President Jonathan Goodluck and his Presidency from their slumber on the security challenges and the shame arising from the kidnap of over 250 of our girls and our future mothers by the evil-minded Boko Haram? Does it mean that Mbu does not know that peaceful protest is a right guaranteed all Nigerians by the country’s Constitution?” Rivers APC asked.
The party recalled the ordeal of Rivers State in the hands of Mbu before his redeployment to the FCT following the endless outcry of Rivers people.
According to the party, “When we were shouting about the inimical acts of Mbu, nobody paid any attention to the nuisance this man had constituted himself but as soldiers of democracy that we are, we continued to endure him until God, in His wisdom touched the hearts of our tormentors to further expose him to the entire world by posting him to Abuja after being rejected by various state governments.
“To us in Rivers State APC, Mbu is a nuisance, anti-democrat, unprofessional and not expected to parade himself within a democratic set-up.
“ Joseph Mbu, who had been lying low since he was posted out of Rivers State after holding the entire state to ransom based on his undemocratic acts and unprofessional policing, came back to life, once more exhibiting his hatred for normalcy and civilisation by ordering the stoppage of peaceful rallies in Abuja.
“ Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, brought back life into Joseph Mbu when he ignorantly termed the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners APC members. On hearing that these campaigners may be APC members and feeling that he was still in Rivers State, Mbu promptly and illegally announced the banning of the rallies,” the Party noted.
“As much as we commend the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, for acting swiftly in reversing the ill-advised ban, we wish to urge the Police Service Commission to consider the shame and embarrassment which this man has brought to the entire nation, and the Police in particular, and heed our wise counsel to either dismiss Mbu or repost him to Borno State to tackle the menace of Boko Haram since he hates to see peace in any environment where he operates,” the APC added.
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Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
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11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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