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Forum Submits Proposal For PDP Reform …El-Rufai Supports Group
A lobby group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reform Forum, has submitted a proposal to the party’s National Working Committee for the amendment of the PDP constitution.
Submitting the proposal in Abuja on Saturday, Dr Abiye Sekibo, the chairman of the group’s Sub-Committee on Party Constitution Amendment, said the goal was to facilitate internal democracy in the party.
“We are trying to propose motions that will democratise the party’s primaries and involve the entire membership of the party in the process of deciding who flies the party’s flag,” Sekibo said.
He said the proposed amendment had recommended the democratisation of the party’s convention in states and local government areas.
“It also recommends a democratisation of congress for election of national, state, local government and ward offices of the party,” he added.
Sekibo said the key principle of the process was aimed at raising the sizes of conventions and congresses.
“The more the number of delegates the better the democratic quality of flag-bearers that shall emerge.
“The recommended number will increase the sizes of convention and congress to accommodate more elected delegates,” he said.
The Tide’s source reports that the forum also recommended a ratio of 20-25 per cent of special delegates to 75-80 per cent of elected delegates with a view to enhancing grass-roots participation in the party’s electoral process.
It also recommended a computerised biometric-based authentic party membership register before September 2010 to ensure control and avoid fraud.
Sekibo noted that the submission was based on the findings of the report of the Dr Alex Ekwueme-led committee that the party had strayed from its original principles, values and ideas.
He added that the forum also looked into the composition of various organs of the party with a view to bringing on board experienced people who could make them more functional.
Receiving the proposal, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, the PDP National Secretary, said it was a welcome development, as it would move the party forward.
He noted that the action demonstrated that the party respected democratic principles.
Meanwhile, former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai yesterday urged the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP to “objectively look at the proposed recommendations for amendments in the party”.
The PDP officially received the recommendations from the Reform Forum for constitutional and administrative amendments last Saturday.
Answering questions from journalists in Abuja, el-Rufai said the proposed amendments were important to move the party forward and further entrench internal democracy in the party.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the NEC as the supreme organ of the party to implement the reforms.
“Things have to change, if they don’t change, there will be problems within the party,” he said.
El-Rufai added that the areas of reforms had been itemised for the purpose of returning PDP to the original ideals of its founding fathers.
Some of the issues raised by the reform forum were that Article 10 (a) of the party’s constitution be amended and that the membership register be computerised to ensure control and avoid fraud.
The forum said the computerisation of the membership register would ensure an authentic PDP membership register before September 2010.
It also proposed an annual membership subscription fee of N1,200 per member.
It estimated that if there were between four and six million members nationwide, the sum of N4 million to N6 billion could be raised annually, thus assuring independent funding for the party.
The forum frowned at the process where governors elected on its platform decided those to be elected into public offices, stating that it was a clear departure from the direct primaries of the party in 1998.
Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, the PDP National Secretary, who received the recommendations, said they would receive utmost attention.
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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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