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2011: Obio/Akpor PDP Mobilises For Continuity …As Wike Preaches Reconciliation, Unity
The Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has challenged leaders of the party at all levels in the local government to take the issue of reconciliation and enduring unity amongst members seriously in order to strengthen the party ahead of the 2011 general elections.
Wike, chief of staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, threw the challenge during the first ever chapter conference of the PDP in the local government in two years, at the Rumuepirikom Town Hall, last Friday, and asked those who had left PDP to return because Obio/Akpor has gained more since 2007 than ever.
“It is more rewarding to belong to the ruling party than the losing one”’ Wike emphasized, and charged the people to, “assess the position of Obio/Akpor in government, empowerment, and infrastructure projects from 1999 through 2006, and 2007 to date, and you will see that the LG has benefited more in the state”.
Attended by all ward chairmen and executives, elders, women, opinion and youths leaders as well as political office holders at all levels, and thousands of party members across the 17 wards the LGA, Wike repeatedly told the leaders that the time has come for them to heal the wounds of the past, accord respect to whom it is due, embark on genuine reconciliation with all aggrieved members, and strive tirelessly to unite members more as a means of strengthening the internal thread which knits the party together.
The chief of staff stressed that the meeting became imperative following the state party leader’s directive to the effect that political activities could now begin ahead of the next general elections in 2011, adding that the local government was poised, more than ever before, to mobilize party faithful and residents alike towards greater participation in the forthcoming elections.
He told those who had left the PDP, for one reason or the other, in the aftermath of previous elections, to return to the largest party in Africa, and join in the building of a more virile, democratic and stable society, where good governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, social justice and equity, and sustainable economic growth underpin all government actions, policies and programmes, stating that PDP has come to stay, and they have no choice than to join in the effort to consolidate the gains already made.
According to Wike, the last 29 months of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration’s stewardship in the state has provided enough landmarks in good governance, inclusiveness, and active participation, particularly in Obio/Akpor, to justify another four years, saying that the LGA was a shining beneficiary of good governance in action, and has no alternative than to mobilize more support for the party and government.
Also speaking, Obio/Akpor LG Chairman, Prince Timothy Nsirim, said the people have always voted PDP, and charged indigenes and non-indigenes alike to remain faithful to the party, and vote massively for PDP in the forthcoming elections, because, according to him, their votes must count this time around.
In his welcome address, the PDP Chairman in Obio/Akpor, Mr Chukwuemeka Aaron, assured that members would mobilize massively as never before for the forthcoming general elections, and also ensure that people vote for the party in a peaceful, free and fair fashion, noting that PDP could not afford to compromise in the LGA.
He charged ward executives, women, opinion and youth leaders, and elders of the party to begin to work round the clock to ensure that the party remains in power at all levels of governance in the state and the national level, saying that this could be done through their tireless efforts, contribution of their resources and time towards victory at the polls in 2011.
In their goodwill messages, former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr O.C.J. Okocha, member, House of Representatives, Hon Ike Chinwo, and Chairman, PDP Elders Forum, Mr Collins Amadioha, reassured their commitment to the continuity of PDP in government in the next dispensation, and appealed for the support of all in the local government to bring this vision to concrete reality in 2011.
Okocha pointed out that he has now taken special interest in politics and particularly the 2011 elections because of the startling performances of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Prince Timothy Nsirim in delivering democracy dividends to the people, and has decided to come out full scale, to support them in their quest to move the state and LGA forward, adding that “Amaechi has made Rivers people partakers in governance”, and therefore, deserves to continue in power for another four years to deepen his impact on the people.
While Okocha and Amadioha told members to “realize that only one person will emerge as winner”, and by extension, “occupation one elective office at a time”, and therefore, “should work for whoever emerges the party’s flagbearer”, Chinwo stated that the testimonials of the PDP-led government from federal to the local government level were good indices for judging performance, and would attract maximum votes for PDP in 2011.
Among those who attended the inaugural meeting of the Obio/Akpor chapter of the PDP are Chief F.N.J. Woke, Commissioner for Environment, Hon Kingsley Chinda, member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Tony Okeah.
Nelson Chukwudi
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an official State visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Upon arrival yesterday, Shettima was received at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, and other members of the Ethiopian and Nigerian diplomatic corps.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed yesterday, titled: “VP Shettima arrives in Ethiopia for official state visit.”
During the visit, Vice President Shettima will participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental initiative.
The programme designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.
In line with strengthening bilateral ties in agriculture and industrial development, the Vice President will also embark on a strategic tour of key industrial zones and integrated agricultural facilities across selected regions of Ethiopia.
News
RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers
The Rivers State Government has called on the people of the state especially farmers to access the ?4billion agricultural loans made available by the State and domiciled in the Bank of Industry.
This is as the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), a World Bank project, took its sensitization campaign to Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
The campaign was aimed at enlightening community dwellers and other stakeholders in the various local government areas on the RAAMP project implementation and programme activities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Maurice Ogolo, said this at Opobo town, Ngo, Port Harcourt City and Rumuodumanya, headquarters of the four local government areas respectively, during the sensitization campaign.
Ogolo said apart from the ?4billion, the government has also made available fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the various local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary who is the Chairman, State Steering Committee for the project, said RAAMP will construct roads that will connect farms to markets to enable farmers and fishermen sell their farms produce and fishes.
He also said rural roads would be constructed to farms and fishing settlements, and warned against any act that will lead to the cancellation of the projects in the four local government areas.
According to him, the World Bank and Federal Government which are the financiers of the programme will not condone such acts like kidnapping, marching ground and other acts inimical to the successful implementation of the projects in their respective areas.
At PHALGA, Ogolo asserted that the city will benefit in the areas of roads and bridge construction.
He noted that RAAMP was thriving in both the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Lagos and other states in the country, stressing that the project should also be given the seriousness it deserves in Rivers State.
Speaking at Opobo town, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the project coordinator, RAAMP, Mr.Joshua Kpakol, said the programme would reduce poverty in the state.
According to him, both fishermen and farmers will maximally benefit from the programme.
At Ngo which is the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Kpakol said roads will be constructed to all remote fishing settlements.
He said Rivers State is lucky to be among the states implementing the project, and stressed the need for the people to embrace it.
Meanwhile, Kpakol said at PHALGA that RAAMP is a project that will transform the lives of farmers, traders and other stakeholders in the area.
He urged the stakeholders to spread the information to their various communities.
However, some of the stakeholders at Opobo town complained about the destruction of their farms by bulls allegedly owed by traditional rulers in the area, as well as incessant stealing of their canoes at waterfronts.
At Ngo, Archbishop Elkanah Hanson, founder of El-Shaddai Church, commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for bringing the projects to Andoni.
He stressed the need for the construction of roads to fishing settlements in the area.
Also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state and Okan Ama of Ekede, HRH King Gad Harry, noted that storage facilities have become necessary for a successful agricultural programme.
Harry also stressed the need for the programme to be made sustainable.
In their separate speeches, the administrators of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, pledged their readiness to support the programme.
At Port Harcourt City, the Administrator, Dr Arthur Kalagbor, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City, Mr Clifford Paul, said the city would support the implementation of the programme in the area.
Also, the administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter, represented by Mr Michael Elenwo, pledged to support the programme in his local government area.
Among dignitaries at the Obio/Akpor stakeholders engagement is the chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM Eze Chike Wodo, amongst others.
John Bibor
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the commencement of personnel audit and skill gap analysis across all cadres of federal civil servants.
The president gave this directive in Abuja, yesterday, while speaking at the International Civil Service Conference, reaffirming his resolve to achieve efficiency and professional service delivery in the civil service.
“I have authorized the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritize timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realize the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” the president announced.
Tinubu further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to prioritise data integrity and sovereignty in national interest.
He called for the capture, protection and strategic publication of public sector data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognized as fruitful. This will allow global benchmarking organisation to track our progress in real time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage. This will preserve privacy and uphold data sovereignty,” Tinubu added.
President Tinubu hailed the federal civil service as the “engine” driving his Renewed Hope Agenda, and the vehicle for delivering sustainable national development.
He submitted that the roles of civil servants remain indispensable in modern governance, declaring that in the face of a fast-evolving digital and economic landscape, the civil service must remain agile, future-ready, and results-driven.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.
“It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the civil service. In today’s rapid, evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital” the President said.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack in her welcome address told the President that his presence and strong words of commendation at the conference has renewed the morale and mandate of public servants across the country.
Walson-Jack described Tinubu as the backbone of driving transformation in the Nigerian civil service, and noted that the takeaways from past study tours undertaken to understudy the civil service in Singapore, the UK and US under her leadership, is already yielding multiplier effects.
Walson-Jack assured Tinubu that her office, in collaboration with reform-minded stakeholders, will not relent in accelerating the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, FCSSIP 25.
She affirmed that digitalisation, performance management, and continuous learning remain key pillars in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery across MDAs.
Walson-Jack reaffirmed that the civil service is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration.