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New CAMA Threatens Fragile Peace, Stability, Archbishop Warns
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Revd Ignatius Kaigama, has said the newly amended Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) poses a threat to the stability and peace of the country.
Kaigama spoke during a ceremony for his Pallium Investiture by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazi, yesterday, in Abuja.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari signed CAMA into law on August 7, to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country.
However, some religious organizations have rejected a part of the law, particularly Section 839.
Although it was not compulsory to register religious bodies in Nigeria, the Catholic Archbishop warned that CAMA could generate unprecedented problems for the country, if not reworked to eliminate controversial sections.
“Already, our experts are dealing with the new CAMA, because it needs careful analysis.
“But on the surface, it doesn’t look there’s a good intention behind it. The law doesn’t look like the motive is right. It doesn’t look like the government did enough study about the implications of the new law (CAMA).
“Now that the Federal Government knows, I hope prudence and wise judgement would lead our authorities to humbly start all over again.
“Let them see how this law does not generate an unprecedented problem for our country and destabilise the fragile peace that we have,” Kaigama said.
The cleric also noted that much of the problems facing the nation have their roots in self-centred leadership.
He maintained that political leaders in Nigeria were more concerned with discussing the region to produce the next president than talking about the common good of the masses.
He said, “Our authorities need to realize that our citizens and the country at large remain their top priorities.
“Political campaigns are based on selfish interests even when thousands of Nigerians are dying every day. That’s why the crises and conflicts and killings will continue to happen like a vicious cycle.”
Above all, the Archbishop said addressing the issues of poverty and injustice would end the insecurity in the country.
“It’s not enough to demand prayers for the nation. The government must address fundamental, historical, and justice issues across the country.
“They (politicians) know what the problems are but a lack of will power to deal decisively with them is responsible for the vicious cycle of violence in the country,” Kaigama stressed.
Earlier, the Papal Nuncio noted that the investiture of the Pallium on Kaigama was to have taken place in the Vatican City but for the Coronavirus pandemic.
He said, it was providential and historic that Kaigama was among the first Archbishops in the world to be conferred with the honour outside of Rome.
Filipazi urged him to see his investiture as a symbol of service to communion, friendship, peace, and unity.
The event was graced by many Catholic bishops, some Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, senior government officials, and other dignitaries.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, speaking on behalf of other government functionaries, prayed for God to strengthen Kaigama’s faith to continue to serve him faithfully.
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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