News
Kidnapped Expatriates In Andoni Regain Freedom …RSHA Plans Laws To End Kidnapping, Rape, Female Circumcision
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the release of the three Lebanese recently abducted by unknown gunmen along the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road.
The expatriates are staff of Raffaul Construction Company Nigeria Limited, which is handling the construction of the multi-billion Naira road, linking the ancient city of Opobo and Andoni to the other local governments and the state capital by road for the first time in history.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed this to The Tide in a text message in response to an enquiry.
Sources within Andoni, however, informed The Tide that the Lebanese were seen in the early hours of yesterday at the very spot where they were kidnapped almost two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Andoni Youth Coalition (AYC) has praised the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his support towards the timely release of the kidnapped expatriates.
The National President of the coalition, Hon. Amon Ijong-Ama, who said this in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, yesterday, also commended the governor for not carrying out the threat to dethrone recognised Andoni traditional rulers or discontinue work on the Andoni section of the Unity Road.
He said that Andoni youths were happy over the development, stressing that the youths would cooperate with the government to ensure that contractors were not harassed by criminal elements in the area.
The youth leader also stressed the need for the state government to work with the traditional institution with a view to setting up vigilantes in the area.
He also advised criminal elements to leave Andoni in their own interest.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced deliberations to enact laws that would eliminate female circumcision, kidnapping and rape in the state.
The bills include, Rivers State Female Circumcision Abolition Amendment Bill 2019, Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2019, and the Rivers State Dehumanising and Harmful Practices Abolition Amendment Bill 2019.
The bill to end female circumcision, and violent against persons were private member bills presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule of Obio/Akpor State Constituency, while that of dehumanising and harmful practices was initiated by Hon. Sam Ogeh of Emohua State Constituency.
In his submission, Amaewhule said the bill against female circumcision was intended to amend the Female Circumcision Abolition Law of 2001.
Throwing more light on the bills, Amaewhule noted that female circumcision or anyone engaging in the act would be liable to three years in prison, if convicted.
On his part, Ogeh submitted that the Rivers State Dehumanising and Harmful Practices Abolition Amendment Bill 2019 would repeal the principal law of 2003.
The bill provides that any person who commits, harm, carries out violence against a fellow citizen such as rape, shall be liable to five years imprisonment.
Any person who dehumanises anybody through the unleashing of deadly weapon, substance or object commits an offence liable to five years imprisonment, or a fine of N500, 000.
In addition, any person, who instills fear leading to physical injury, commits an offence, and if convicted, shall serve five years imprisonment or pay a fine of N200,000.
Thus, any person, who aids or counsels another person to commit the offence, would also be liable to one year imprisonment or pay a fine of N200,000.
John Bibor, Kevin Nengia & Lady Ogbulu
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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