News
RVHA Passes Smoking, Statistics Bills Into Law
The Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday passed two bills into law. They are the Rivers State statistics bill 2010 and the Prohibition of Smoking in public places.
The statistics bill seeks among other things to establish a statistics bureau in the state that would raise public awareness about the importance and role of statistical data to the society, while the state prohibition of smoking bill seeks to prohibit smoking in public places
The passage of the bill followed a unanimous adoption of the report of the House Committees on Health and Finance.
Presenting their separate committee reports, the chairman, House Committee on Health Hon Irene Inimgba and the chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon Henry Ogiri said the committees worked in accordance with the terms of reference given to them, adding that during the public hearing, participants who attended the sessions stressed the need for the bill to be passed into law in the state.
During the debate on the two reports, some lawmakers lauded the two committees for submitting their reports on time.
On the statistical bill, Hon Ibami Ikuinye Owaji (Andoni), Nwile Befil Charles (Khana I) Isaac Kamelu (Eleme) and Hon Chioma Golden Ngozi (ELGA II) harped on the importance of the bills to the state.
According to the lawmakers, the bill passed into law would help the state government to evaluate its polices and plan for the development of the state.
The lawmakers averred that no amount of money spent in getting accurate data would be considered as a waste, noting that without adequate data, planning the developmental needs of government would not be realised.
On the prohibition of smoking in public places in the state, some lawmakers spoke on the need to prohibit smoking in public places.
In their contribution, Hon Ngozi Chioma Golden ,Hon Jaja Tamunosisi Gogo and Hon Chidi Lloyd (Emohua) urged the House to ensure that implementers of the law designate places for people to smoke as stated in the law.
The lawmakers stated that the rights of the smokers would be denied if such areas were not designated, adding that the lawmakers lack the constitutional powers to legislate on the prohibitions of the sales of Alcohol in motor parks and other places.
However, during the debate, the lawmakers were unable to define what constitute a public place as the lawmakers resolved to rely on the definition of public place as contained in the criminal code.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Tonye Harry, who presided over the sitting put the passage of the two bills into vote, with 19 lawmakers voting in favour of the passage of the bills into law.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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