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South Sudan Endorses Wike For 2nd Term … As Gov Says Neighbourhood Watch’ll Begin Operation, Soon …Dismisses Ogoni Clean-Up As Fraud
The South Sudan Minister of Energy and Dams, Dr Dhieu Mathok has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the infrastructural development of the state, saying that he deserves a second term.
Speaking after a meeting with the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, Mathok expressed happiness with the level of development attained under the leadership of Wike.
He said: “I have never come this way, but what I have seen this morning is very amazing. I have seen developmental projects going on.
“This is a sign of stability. You know when there is no stability in a certain state or country, development cannot come up. I will like to commend the governor for the good work that he is doing. I heard there is going to be election very soon. l hope the people of this state will renew the mandate of the governor, so that he can continue what he is doing in this state”, Mathok said.
He said that there are key development projects in Rivers State which the South Sudan Government would like to replicate.
He said: “I am very happy with what I have seen in this state. It is really a great thing. There are a lot of development projects in this state and we like to replicate the same thing in South Sudan.
“We are intending to commercialize NLNG industry in South Sudan. That is why we are looking for the partners who can be able to develop the energy sector in the Republic of South Sudan”.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that the state would continue to be an investment destination because of the peaceful environment and her rich resources.
“The message is that he is from South Sudan, an African country. What he has seen shows that there is peace in Rivers State. Investors should not be afraid of coming to Rivers State to invest and with the kind of developmental projects he has seen in Rivers State, more investors will be attracted to the state.
“The issue of peace in Rivers State is no longer a challenge. Everybody knows that Rivers State is an investment destination.”
The governor stated that Rivers State would continue to partner with sister African countries to advance the course of development and enhance the economy of the state.
He said: “I told you we are interested in investors who will come into this state and partner with us. So, one is quite impressed by what he has seen the encouragement he has given us. I will also reciprocate by visiting South Sudan to see things and see how we can collaborate with the country and bring more investors to our state.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Agency will soon become operational for the detection and prevention of crimes across the state.
The governor urged traditional rulers to cooperate with operatives of the agency to ensure that they succeed because the operatives are largely nominees of traditional rulers.
Wike spoke during the 108th and 109th General Session of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, last Monday in Port Harcourt.
He said: “The neighbourhood watch arrangement will soon be fully operational throughout the state to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the detection and prevention of crime and improve the security of lives and property in our neighbourhoods.
“Let me remind you that the corps members were recruited based on your attestations with regard to their character and suitability. Consequently, we will hold you accountable to the performance of the corps and the success of the scheme in your local government areas, communities and neighbourhoods.”
The governor urged the traditional rulers to shun partisan politics as getting involved in politics will reduce their social relevance.
He wondered why a first class traditional ruler would be involved in partisan politics with the aim of undermining the state government.
He said: “If you don’t respect your stool, you will have challenges. Withdraw yourselves from playing politics. If you don’t withdraw yourselves, I will withdraw you. If you take sides, I will also take sides”.
The governor charged the traditional rulers never to allow any politician to breach the peace in their communities during the forthcoming campaigns.
He said: “We expect the political parties to play by the rules and embark on peaceful and issue-based campaigns. But you must be on the watch out to ensure that no person or entity violates the peace of your communities under the guise of political campaigns.
“At the end of the campaigns the votes of our people are very important and we expect the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible general elections that will enable our people to freely determine their political direction and destiny. Here again, you also bear individual and collective responsibility to mobilize your subjects to collect their permanent voters cards and vote for the candidates of their choice.”
Wike urged the traditional rulers to lend their voices in condemnation of the neglect of Rivers State by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
The Rivers State governor said that the protracted implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni was a grand fraud and deception.
Wike urged monarchs in the state to lend their voices in condemning the neglect of Rivers State by the Federal Government.
“It is time you lend your voices more forcefully to the neglect of the state by the Federal Government, the devastation of our environment by the oil companies, the grand fraud and deception in the Ogoni clean-up exercise and the call for economic justice and fiscal federation”, he said.
He said it was disheartening that 28 months after the Federal Government launched the Ogoniland clean-up; they were yet to commence the exercise as recommended by UNEP.
The governor said the state-owned security outfit, Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, would soon commence operation for the primary purpose of detection and prevention of crimes across the state.
He, therefore, solicited the support of the monarchs to collaborate with operatives of the agency to ensure that they succeed, particularly as the operatives are largely their own nominees.
Besides, Wike cautioned the monarchs to resist the temptation of engaging in partisan politics, which could corrode their social relevance.
He advised the monarchs never to allow any politician to breach the peace in their communities during the forthcoming campaigns, and also urged them to mobilise their people to collect their permanent voter cards and vote for the candidates of their choice.
In an address, Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja appealed to the Federal Government to revive the ports in Rivers State to create employment opportunities for the youths.
He commended the Rivers State governor for the successful hosting of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, saying that the event contradicts the negative reports against the state.
Douglas Jaja, who is also the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, praised Wike for his outstanding projects delivery across the state, and urged him to continue his good works.
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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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