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RSG Votes N17bn For Roads Repair …Rewards Film Contest Winners
The Rivers State Government says it has released the sum of N17billion for the repairs and
rehabilitation of roads in the state, especially Port Harcourt and its
environs.
The state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who
announced this while fielding questions from golfers during a dinner in honour
of the Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, last Saturday,
said the release was part of government’s efforts to ameliorate the sufferings
of motorists and residents.
He said the government was aware that most of the roads,
particularly those inherited from previous administrations, have collapsed
following aging and heavy rains in recent times, but stressed that with the
rains receding, the government would deploy its machineries to get the roads
passable again.
Amaechi noted that the road rehabilitation effort is part of
strategy to complement government’s road infrastructure development policy
aimed at returning Port Harcourt to its past glory, while at the same time
creating jobs and opening up the state’s economy to foreign direct
investment.
The governor also explained that a number of other road
contracts have been awarded, including the Woji-Elelenwo, adding that the
N13billion-Rumuokurusi-Eneka-Igwuruta would be delivered at the end of 2013.
The state chief executive commended Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC)the successful hosting of the event, saying, it has
shown the significant progress made in restoring law and order and security in
the state, and hoped that the tournament would soon become a permanent feature
in national golf calendar.
Speaking, Managing Director, SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, promiseto
do his best to ensure the sustainability of the event in Shell Golf Club
calendar.
Meanwhile, four winners emerged last Saturday from the first
ever Rivers State Film Award held in Port Harcourt, the state capital carting
away a whooping N5million in cash prizes.
The winners, Mr Sweetman Okujagu, Ombo Ibifaa, Ejim Fortune
Kezi and Bright Orgwu notched the ach prizes in both documentary and docu-drama
categories.
While Okujagu grabbled both the star prize with a cash
reward of N2million and also pocketing N1million for emerging first position in
the documentary category, Kezi who came first in the Docu-Drama category took
home N1million, leaving Ibifaa and Orgwu placed in second position in both
Documentary and Docu-Drama categories respectively with cash rewards of
N5million each.
Speaking while presenting the prizes to the winners at a
colourful ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi directed the
state Ministry of Information and Communications, organisers of the RIVINFO
Film competition to explore all awareness that would make the contest self
sustaining.
The governor, who was also the special quest of honour at
the award night held at the Silverbird Galleria in Port Harcourt, noted that
one of the ways to achieve this objective is to introduce gate fee in
subsequent editions of the competition.
The state chief executive also stated that the film festival
should be developed to international standards so as attract world-class
participants and generate money.
He commended the award winners and urged them to go forward
and make Rivers State proud.
In his speech, chairman of the award night, Captain Elechi
Amadi (Rtd) lauded the organizers and participants for their success which had
made the state proud, and called for government support and sponsorship to
boost the growth of the film sector.
He reiterated the film-making and its marketing is the
economic mainstay of some countries and charged the state government and the
private sector to partner in order to benefit from the abundant opportunities
that exist in the sector.
The wife of the state governor, Dame Judith Amaechi observed
that there were many potential that were untapped and urged film makers in the state to put in
their best so that Rivers State would produced the best movies in the world and
turn the state into an entertainment and recreation hub of the West African
sub-region.
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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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