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Islamic Group Seeks RSG’s Support On Jobs
A group under the auspices of Islamic Sisters Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Rivers State chapter, has appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to ensure that all children born in Rivers State are given equal opportunities to secure meaningful jobs in the state.
President of the association, Hajiya Maryam Nasiru Usman, made the appeal during a courtesy visit of the association to the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide Newspaper, recently.
She emphasized that the children born in Rivers State are by birth indigenes of the state, saying that such children, having been brought up, attain educational excellence, and achieved high levels of competence in difference fields, deserve to contribute their quotas to the development of the state.
According to her, “Please, take our message to the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that some of our Islamic sisters’ children should be given employment in the public sector as they were born and brought up in Rivers State”, adding that, “It will be very unfair to refer to them as non-indigenes, when even as graduates, most of them are not known in their own states, having lived their lives in Rivers State.”
Hajia Usman said that ISAN decided to visit the corporation, following the realisation that The Tide was one of the fastest growing, highly demanded and most widely read newspapers in Nigeria, adding that as the authoritative voice of the Niger Delta people, it was inconceivable for any group dismiss the critical role the newspaper plays in influencing decision-making and behavioural change in the society.
She noted that association, which has been in existence since 1999 and is functional in all the states of the federation, including Abuja, has worked with the various state governments to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the country, adding that in order to support economic growth and viability, members have engaged in different small scale businesses, and urged governments at all levels to encourage small businesses to survive.
The Islamic women leader commended the efforts of the Rivers State Government in ensuring that peace returns to all communities in the state through its amnesty offer to misguided youth, adding that although the present economic climate was difficult for all, government should do all within its powers to create more opportunities to empower the youth through jobs, scholarships in education advancement, skills and vocational training to enhance entrepreneurial development.
Responding, the Acting General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Chief Soye Wilson Jamabo, intimated ISAN members on the activities of the corporation, especially The Tide in furthering state and national development.
Represented by the Director, General Services (Administration), Chris C. Orji, the acting general manager, assured the association that their message would be communicated to the state governor, who he said is a detribalised leader, who has given many opportunities to non-indigenes in the state, and commended the group for taking proactive steps to drive home their demands.
In her vote of thanks, Vice President I, Afusitu Lawal, thanked the management of the corporation for the opportunity given them share ideas and perspectives on how to drive development and move the state forward, and assured of their support to the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Chinenye Nwabueze
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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