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Mega Rally: A Celebration Of Achievements …70,000 Set To Attend -Rivers People
As preparations for the Rivers State government-sponsored mega rally tomorrow gets underway, Rivers people have said that the event would showcase the numerous achievements of the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi within the past seven years in office.
A cross section of Rivers people who spoke on the proposed rally in an interview with The Tide also described the event as timely as it would help to prepare the Governor’s successor for the challenges ahead.
In his view, the Board Member 1 of the Rivers state Universal Basic Education Board (UBE), Hon. Lucky Worluh said that apart from showcasing the achievements of the Governor, the rally would also prove that the All Progressive Congress is on ground in the state.
Hon. Worluh described Governor Amaechi’s seven years in office as full of achievements and worth celebrating, in view of the giant strides the administration has recorded in every sector of the state economy which include, health, road, agriculture amongst others.
According to him, Governor Amaechi ought to be celebrated especially as the state has ranked highest in Nigeria in the Education and Health sectors.
He listed the recruitment of 13,000 teachers and numerous health centres built across the state to buttress his point.
Also speaking, the Chairlady All Progressives Congress (APC) Asari Toru Local Government Area, Miss Lilly-Turian Soton-Ibi described the changes in the last seven years as very tremendous, stressing that this calls for celebration. She said that, anybody preparing to take over from Amaechi must be well prepared to supersede the Governor.
According to her, the new areas of focus should be road construction and dualisation as well as power.
In his view, the Chairman Media Defenders, Network Mr. Wahua Nhebeka said that Amaechi has no rival as far as governance is concerned in the state.
Nhebeka said that apart from the development of educational infrastructure the employment of over 13,000 teachers and Medical Doctors is unique in the history of the state.
He said that the only thing Rivers people owe the Governor is to fully mobilize and attend the rally.
Also speaking, Prince William Chinwo also said that the celebration is worthwhile as the Governor has done very well in every sector of the state.
Another respondent, Engr. Okah Uchekwu Collins, Publicity Secretary of National Youth Coalition also endorsed the rally, noting that it is coming at a time when a lot of lies were being told about Governor Amaechi.
Meanwhile, a major political earthquake is expected in Rivers State on Saturday, as the Rivers State Government mobilises some 70,000 indigenes and non-indigenes to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the historic Supreme Court judgement and the administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
The rally tagged, ‘’Mega Rally”, would be held at the new Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, where Governor Chibuike Amaechi would also use the occasion to present his seven—year stewardship as the governor of Rivers State.
As expected, thousands of Rivers people, including politicians, businessmen and women, youth, royal fathers, members of the elite and academia, and students will throng the stadium for the celebration of the giant strides of the administration.
Amaechi was at the new Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex in preparation for the Saturday’s mega rally.
While inspecting the progress of work there, he said, “Rivers people need to vote out PDP and vote in APC in 2015. The candidates PDP is offering are people who are prepared to cart away state funds”.
Amaechi also condemned the call for another Ikwerre governorship candidate as his successor after his eight years in office, and described those behind the propaganda as prophets of doom.
“There are people whose interests you must protect. Ikwerre people were not born into the state just to become governors at the expense of other Rivers people. If we cried against injustice when the Bayelsa people were with us, then Ikwerre people should not lead the onslaught to say that Ikwerre must always get governorship because they have the number to achieve that”, he said.
On the proposed mega rally, Amaechi said, the mega rally, which targets 70,000 supporters in the state was designed to showcase the popularity of Rivers State Government and prove that Rivers people are happy with the present administration.
“Although the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru is in charge of the preparation for the event, I came to see the speed of work, and I think it is in progress.
“We expect the pace of work to increase in order to complete the main bowl of the stadium before the mega rally,” Amaechi said.
John Bibor/Iragunima Benice
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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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