News
PDP Senators Visit Jonathan, Pledge Support …As Saraki Reviews Committees
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators yesterday paid a surprise visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
Reacting to the visit, yesterday, the ex-president on his @GEJonathan said: “I thank the distinguished senators who paid me a visit earlier today (Thursday), and I urge them to continue giving Nigeria their all”.
Since the former President handed over power to Muhammadu Buhari after conceding defeat in the presidential election in 2015, he has not been seen actively participating in the activities of PDP.
The PDP has also been rocked by leadership tussles and controversies with two factions battling for the chairmanship position of the party.
Jonathan since handing over to Buhari has focused on building his Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and was noticeably absent at the PDP’s convention.
Perhaps, in a move to make the former President an active member of the party, the senators paid a visit to him although details of the visit have not been made public yet.
The former president has however insisted that he has no plan to contest for the Presidency in 2019 so it is unlikely the meeting has anything to do with making him the party’s presidential candidate for 2019 election.
The visit by the senators generated reactions from Nigerians. While some commended the move and exalted Jonathan as a true statesman, others described him as a man who allowed corruption to flourish in the country.
Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki, yesterday, reshuffled the leaderships of the Senate’s committees, in what has been described as one of the moves to return peace to the troubled Red Chamber, since June 9, 2015.
Senator Kabiru Marafa, former Chairman of the Committee on National Population was appointed chairman of the Petroleum (Downstream) Committee. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former chairman, Committee on Women Affairs was named chairperson of the Committee on Environment.
Senator Suleiman Hukunyi is now chairman of the Committee on National Identity.
These lawmakers were all outspoken critics of the Saraki-led Senate.
Saraki made the announcement shortly before the Senate adjourned, yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to put in necessary measures to evacuate Nigerians in South Sudan, currently facing internal conflicts.
The decision followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Spokesman of the Senate, Sen. Ben Bruce, at plenary.
Bruce while raising the point of order said that reports reaching him indicated that Nigerians in Sudan were the only nationals still left in the country in spite of the increasing tension.
According to him, rather than being evacuated by the authorities, Nigerians in South Sudan are being subjected to question and answer sessions and subsequently dismissed.
“As we speak, in the Hallowed Chamber, the fate of Nigerians in South Sudan is unknown and there are no indications that they have been evacuated,’’ he said.
Bruce urged the Senate to summon the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, to explain why Nigerians were allegedly abandoned in the war torn country.
The lawmaker also urged the Senate to mandate the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, to carry out holistic investigation into what transpired between Nigerians at the Nigerian Embassy in the country.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the relevant authorities would be communicated appropriately to ensure that the lives of Nigerians in South Sudan were not in danger.
“Ben Murray Bruce came to discuss this matter with me and I think that based on our rule there will be no debate.
“But we will get the message across to the relevant Ministry to see that a thing like this doesn’t happen and action is taken to properly address the matter.’’
The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum that passed with 98.83 per cent of the vote.
The country, has however, suffered internal conflicts since its independence, with a resurgence of violence following its fifth anniversary as a country.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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