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APC Hails Amaechi Over UN Fellowship Award

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Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (right) being welcomed by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, during his condolence visit to the state over the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, last Wednesday. Photo: NAN

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (right) being welcomed by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, during his condolence visit to the state over the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, last Wednesday. Photo: NAN

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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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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