Front Pix
US To Deny Nigerians Visa Over Polls Violence
The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, yesterday said that any Nigerian politician found to have been involved in violence during the February’s elections will no longer be eligible for a US visa.
Kerry, spoke shortly after two separate meetings with Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in closed door sessions, in Lagos.
He noted that the international community was keenly interested in a violence-free 2015 general elections in Nigeria next month, adding that no country would tolerate any violence during or attempts to rig the elections.
US Secretary of State met the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the February election, Maj. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), behind closed doors at the US Consulate on Victoria Island.
Kerry also met President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Marina, Lagos, behind closed doors.
But in his remarks later, Kerry said he was impressed with the outcome of meetings with Jonathan and Buhari on how to prevent violence during the polls.
He noted that the international community was keenly interested in a violence-free 2015 general elections in Nigeria next month, adding that any Nigerian involved in violence during February’s polls will no longer be eligible for a US visa.
Also speaking after the meeting, Jonathan assured of the independence of INEC, saying that the May 29 date for inauguration of new administration remains sacrosanct.
Both Jonathan and Buhari recently signed a non-violence agreement but that has not stopped sporadic outbreaks of unrest between supporters of their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Nigeria visit — the first by a US secretary of state since Hillary Clinton in 2012 — was announced on Friday during a speech in which Kerry warned of the dangers of Islamist extremists worldwide.
Kerry has previously described the attack on Baga as a “crime against humanity” while the United States has warned of the threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty posed by the militants, who want to create a hardline Islamic state in North East Nigeria.
Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield has accused Nigeria’s military of being in denial about the threat posed by Boko Haram, which has captured dozens of towns in the last six months.
Nigeria’s ambassador to Washington had accused the United States of failing to provide the weaponry required to end the rebellion and Abuja also ended a US training programme for soldiers to take on the militants.
But Kerry addressed poll-related violence, which has blighted previous Nigerian elections, and which it is feared could erupt again, given the closely fought race.
The US official said Washington expects free, fair and peaceful elections in Africa’s most populous nation.
“This election in Nigeria is being watched by the entire continent and in fact by the entire world,” the official added.
The United States has pressed for the elections to go ahead, despite the raging insurgency.
Some 1,000 people died at the last elections in 2011 during protests in central Nigeria, where the predominantly Christian South meets the mainly Muslim North.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has been drumming the United States Government’s non-violence stance to the ears of all key players in the political arena, from the president to National Assembly office seekers, and governorship candidates across the country.
In Abuja, the ambassador organized a non-violence lecture series, where President Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and other presidential candidates signed up non-violence agreement, now called the Abuja Accord.
In Rivers State, the ambassador got the candidates of the APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside; PDP, Nyesom Wike, and Labour Party, Prince Tonye Princewill, to sign a non-violence pledge in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
But despite the pledge, the APC rally slated for last Saturday in Okrika was disrupted by thugs suspected to be PDP supporters, who shot sporadically and threw dynamites into the venue, already being prepared for the event.
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 Delta11 hours ago
Cross River Judiciary Unveils Small Claim Courts For Debt Recovery
-
Business6 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