News
Rivers PDP Congress: ‘Ake, An Exemplary Leader’
The Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has described the re-elected state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Godspower Ake as an exemplary leader, whose sterling qualities have enhanced the electoral value of the party in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the remarks at the 2012 state congress of the party which took place at the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt,on Saturday.
Represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, the state chief executive congratulated the out-going executives of the party for successfully piloting its affairs in the past years, noting that the outstanding performance of the party in past elections was a testament to the way party affairs were conducted.
He thanked all the outgoing party executive for their contributions to the success of the party, saying “those of them that were not returned will not be forgotten as their good works will always speak for them.
Governor Amaechi called on the in-coming party executives to work harder in building on the achievements of the past four years to deliver a better, robust, and united party that would ensure the deliverance of the dividends of democracy to the people.
Of the 984 accredited delegates at the party congress conducted by Mr Steve Emelieze, and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Ake, polled 777 votes out of 824 to emerge state chairman, alongside Senibo Dagogo Legg-Jack, Deputy state chairman, and Barr Adokiye Oruwari, state Secretary in a 29 member executive of the party for the next four years.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Ake thanked party faithfuls in the state for the confidence reposed in his executives that had seen the party winning all elective positions contested for in the state in the past four years.
He called on the new executives to work harder than the outgone exco to ensure that the PDP continues in its winning ways in the next four years.
Also speaking, the state Deputy chairman, Mr Legg-Jack thanked Governor Amaechi for being supportive to the party, ‘as much support has been translated into a peaceful congress witnessed today”.
In a related development, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) last Saturday held its state congress across the country in a peaceful manner, with some states returning candidates through consensus.
In Kaduna, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the successful conduct of PDP congress in Kaduna State was a clear demonstration of the party’s focus towards delivering good governance.
The Vice-President who spoke during the PDP congress in Kaduna last Saturday congratulated the newly elected officials, saying the party was committed to implementing the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
He urged the elected officials to work as a team to promote the party’s virtues and ensure sincere representation of the people who voted for them.
Amb. Nuhu Audu, the newly elected chairman of the party in Kaduna , said the new officials would ensure justice and equity in carrying out their mandate.
In Sokoto State, the 29-member state executives of the PDP were returned unopposed.
The election was presided over by a five-man congress committee from the PDP national secretariat, headed by Chief Sergeant Awuse.
Wamakko commended the delegates for the orderly and peaceful congress, saying there had been absolute respect and trust between the followers and leadership of the party in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman commended members of the party for the confidence reposed in him.
Waziri urged the people of the state to pray fervently for Nigeria, saying it is in dire need of prayers.
In Dutse, capital of Jigawa State, the party elected its new officials by consensus arrangement without any contest.
The former state commissioner for Economic and Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Salisu Mahmuda, was elected chairman of the party while former Special Adviser to Gov. Sule Lamido on Personal Matters, Alhaji Aliyu Gantsa, was elected secretary.
In Asaba, Delta, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, state chairman of the PDP was returned unopposed Chief Solomon Ogba, secretary of the party; Chief Arthur Akpowowo, youth leader and Chief Edwin Uzor, state auditor of the party were also returned unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, Nwaoboshi thanked the delegates and other party members for another opportunity to serve.
Meanwhile, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has appealed to citizens of the state not to overheat the political system.
He urged all to sustain the new spirit of unity as no meaningful development could be achieved in a chaotic and rancorous atmosphere.
In Makurdi, Benue State, elections into various executive offices of the PDP commenced with newsmen barred from the venue.
They advised the delegates to put aside sentiments and work for the good of the party in particular and the state in general.
In Awka, Anambra State, the state Police Command, cordoned off St. Augustine Anglican Church, Amawbia, near Awka, stopping the conduct of PDP congress in the state.
In Jos, Plateau State accreditation for the PDP state congress commenced at about 11.30 a.m. amidst tight security.
The Tide reports that there was heavy presence of security operatives at the various centres.
In Gombe, Mr Jack Gumpy, was re-elected chairman of the party.
Our correspondent reports that the congress which was based on consensus, also had Alhaji Nasiru Gwani as Vice Chairman and Alhaji Abubakar Shanu as Secretary.
In Enugu, all the 29 executive officers, including two women, were returned unopposed.
The Tide correspondent reports that former chairman, Mr Vita Abba, was re-elected while Mr Steve Oruruo was returned as the secretary.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu described the congress as the “best organised in the country’’.
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.