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June 12: Fayose, Three Govs Declare Today Public Holiday …As Atiku Urges FG To Immortalise Abiola Now
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared today a public holiday in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Fayose joined the governors of Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States, who had earlier declared today a public holiday in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the day.
In a statement, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Fayose, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he took the decision to join his other colleagues in the South-West in the spirit of the unity of the region.
He said, “Yoruba nation’s interest is beyond personal interest of anyone. For us to forge ahead as a people, we must speak with one voice.
“In the light of this, I declare Monday a public holiday to further strengthen our collective belief, hope and aspirations. This, I have done in the spirit of Yoruba nation and South-West integration.”
It would be recalled that the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola won the election.
The election, which has been adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was nullified by a military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd).
Abiola was later incarcerated by the military junta of the late Gen Sani Abacha.
The day is celebrated in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola, who died in a mysterious circumstance while in incarceration a few days after the death of Abacha.
In line with the custom of the Ogun State Government for the past six years, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, last Friday, declared today, June 12, 2017, as work free.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa.
The statement read, “This year’s celebration will feature the annual ‘Democracy Walk,’ which will be led by the governor, starting from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7 am.
“The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead, at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.
“Later in the day, an inspirational stage play, ‘Oju Kelekun’ (farewell to reproach), directed by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre, between 3:45 pm and 6:00 pm.”
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, also declared Monday, June 12, work free for its civil servants to mark the 1993 presidential election.
The governor announced this in a statement issued, last Friday by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.
The statement said, “In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as ‘Democracy Day,’ the state government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12, as a public holiday.”
Similarly, the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, asked its workers not to go to work today, June 12, 2017, to honour the widely acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, late Abiola.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, last Friday, Akeredolu said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice culminated in the hurried departure of the military from the political scene in 1999.
As part of programmes lined up to celebrate the day, the state government has organised a lecture, with the theme: “June 12: A Celebration Of Courage And Resilience.”
Akeredolu urged politicians across the country to always demonstrate their unquenchable love for the country.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola, saying the events of that day cannot just be wished away.
“June 12 and the events that brought it are part of our country’s history and cannot be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that Election Day in 1993″, Abubakar said.
In a statement issued by his Media Office, yesterday, in Abuja, the Wazirin Adamawa described “late MKO Abiola, the leading personality of the June 12 struggle as a national ‘Hero and Patriot’ deserving of accolades and honour by Nigerians.
He calls on the Federal Government to pay the necessary tribute to the late Abiola of blessed memory by naming a befitting national institution after him”.
According to him, the events of June 12, 1993, are a watershed in the history of the nation, and therefore, it behoves all Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the nation never again repeats that painful experience.
“Atiku Abubakar recalls that June 12 traumatized Nigerians and made some people to question the unity and oneness of the country and whether true democracy can take root in the country.
“The Waziri commends Nigerians for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by June 12, and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years.
“He says that it is a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today, democracy is flourishing in the country adding that restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.
“Restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the Federation based on the principle of comparative advantage”, he quoted Atiku as saying.
The programme, which targets vulnerable residents in rural communities, is designed to stimulate local economies, reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability and discourage youth restiveness through community-based public works.
The Technical Head of Climate-Smart Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) under RIVCARES, Engr Prince Enyindah, disclosed this during the training and orientation programme organised for beneficiaries across the three senatorial districts in Saakpenwa, Ahoada and Port Harcourt.
Enyindah explained that the 5,500 beneficiaries were selected from the Rivers State Social Register, stressing that they would be engaged in environmental sanitation and other climate-friendly activities within their respective communities.
He noted that the programme was upgraded from the former Rivers COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Scheme to the Rivers State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus programme, with climate-smart interventions incorporated into its operations.
According to him, the monthly stipend for beneficiaries has been increased from N15,000 to ¦ 20,000, payable for 12 months, with the possibility of a review after the initial one-year period.
He urged the beneficiaries to appreciate the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the initiative and encouraged them to invest their monthly stipends in productive economic activities that could improve their financial conditions.
Speaking in Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area, Enyindah explained that beneficiaries would be responsible for activities aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene and environmental conditions in their communities.
He listed the areas of intervention to include clearing community footpaths, cleaning drainages and gutters, maintaining market places, town halls, community playgrounds and traditional rulers’ palaces.
He also urged the beneficiaries to discourage indiscriminate tree felling as part of efforts to promote environmental protection and climate resilience.
At Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area, where beneficiaries from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas received their training, the RIVCARES technical head emphasised that the programme was not politically motivated.
He maintained that the beneficiaries were selected through the state Social Register and cautioned against individuals or political actors claiming personal credit for their recruitment.
Enyindah further disclosed that plans were underway to provide beneficiaries with additional vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their capacity to generate income beyond the monthly stipends.
Speaking with journalists, he explained that the programme was specifically designed to stimulate economic activities in rural communities, alleviate poverty and address factors contributing to youth restiveness.
He observed that prolonged unemployment and lack of income among rural residents could expose some individuals to social crises, adding that the monthly financial support would provide beneficiaries with some economic relief.
“If you look at the programme, it is an economic stimulus programme. You discover that there are people who stay in our rural communities from day one to the end of the month without getting a dime, and that can make them put their hands into crisis.
“But when somebody who is not getting anything is given ¦ 20,000 at the end of the month, it will make a little meaning to the person,” he said.
He explained that the programme currently covers all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, with approximately 234 beneficiaries allocated to each council area.
Enyindah described the ongoing exercise as the first phase of the intervention, noting that subsequent phases would be expanded as additional resources became available.
He therefore appealed to the state government to provide more counterpart funding to enable the programme to accommodate additional beneficiaries across the local government areas.
According to him, the previous phase of the intervention recorded significant achievements, particularly in addressing youth restiveness and providing economic opportunities for vulnerable residents.
Also speaking at Ahoada, the Head of Operations, Labour-Intensive Public Works, Mr Wilson Ihunwo, encouraged the beneficiaries to prepare for the responsibilities associated with the programme and make meaningful contributions to the maintenance of public facilities in their communities.
He explained that the beneficiaries would be encouraged to take ownership of public utilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of residents.
Similarly, the Head of Gender-Based Violence under RIVCARES, Jennifer Bishop, cautioned against gender discrimination, harassment and other forms of workplace misconduct.
She urged male beneficiaries to invest their stipends responsibly, while advising female beneficiaries to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid inappropriate advances towards their supervisors.
Some beneficiaries, including Chiwendu Dukuma from ONELGA, Oby Joseph from Abua/Odual and Odema Kingsley from Omalem Community in Abua, expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government for including them in the programme.
They pledged to utilise the financial support responsibly and invest their earnings in productive ventures, while appealing to the government to sustain and expand the initiative to accommodate more vulnerable residents.
The RIVCARES Community Workforce Programme is expected to combine temporary employment opportunities with environmental improvement, community development and economic empowerment across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a N28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said N3million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that N2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest N13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, N2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
The new President also solicited the cooperation and support of club members, stressing that their collective commitment would be essential to achieving the objectives of his administration during the Rotary year.Rotary Club Unveils ¦ 28m Budget for Healthcare, Education, Peacebuilding, Others
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a ¦ 28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said ¦ 3 million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that ¦ 2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest ¦ 13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, ¦ 2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the late Chief Albert Korubo Horsfall as a distinguished statesman whose contributions to national development brought honour and distinction to the Kalabari Kingdom and Rivers State.
Fubara said Horsfall’s life of service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity had left an enduring legacy that would continue to inspire generations.
The governor spoke through the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, at the funeral service of the late elder statesman last Saturday in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
He described Horsfall as a patriotic Nigerian whose leadership and dedication to the country’s development earned him a place in the nation’s history.
“Chief Horsfall was a distinguished statesman whose life was defined by service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity.
“His contributions to our nation, particularly through his service as Director-General of the State Security Service, pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency and Chairman of OMPADEC, remain significant milestones in our national history,” Fubara said.
The governor noted that the late Horsfall’s contributions to national security, intelligence administration and the development of the Niger Delta would remain part of his enduring legacy.
“His legacy of leadership, national service and dedication to development will remain an enduring source of inspiration to generations yet unborn,” he added.
Fubara urged the bereaved family, the Kalabari people and other Nigerians to uphold the values of peace, unity and selfless service exemplified by the late elder statesman.
The funeral service attracted several dignitaries, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a representative of the Bayelsa State Governor, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chairman of PENDEF and the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom.
Also in attendance were the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, the Commissioner for Special Projects and other government officials, traditional rulers and stakeholders.
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