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Why Kalabari’s May Not Produce Next Gov -David-West … Flays Upland/Riverine Dichotomy

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Social critic and renowned Virologist, Prof Tam David-West has expressed doubt over the possibility of having a governor of Kalabari extraction as a successor to Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Prof David West, who was a guest Speaker at the first Rivers leadership Network Summit held at the auditorium of the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex, yesterday said the dream of having a Kalabari Governor in 2015 was illusive.

Prof David West explained that such dream was not realizable at the moment because of high level of disunity and division among the Kalabari people.

The division in Kalabari is worse than the division in Rivers State, the Kalabari people do not love themselves, we are our own worst enemies”, he stated.

He however, challenged the people of Kalabari to put their house in order and achieve unity of purpose before they begin to think of actualizing the  dream of producing the governor of the state.

The one-time petroleum minister noted, however, that he was not  an enemy of the Kalabari people.

As a Kalabari man himself, he said he was concerned about the division among the people, and stated that criticism should be taken as complementary to socio-economic development and should not be viewed with negative interpretation.

Prof David West also frowned at the political philosophy of having emotional sympathy for an non-performing leader based on ethnic or religious consideration.

He said his criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan was because of  the lack of internal democracy in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had hampered national growth and development.

He commended the Pan Rivers leadership Network for holding the first summit as a platform for promoting harmonious relationship among peoples of the state, and emphasized that ‘Rivers State cannot make any meaningful national impact, except it is united”.

Speaking the topic the , “Quest for Unity in Rivers State, a Contemporary Perspective”, Prof David-West, said Rivers State has gone through a chequered political history, saying that he has been an avid critic of all the governors in the state.

But he took exception to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who he described as an ‘exceptional performer”.

He said the numerous projects embarked upon by Governor Amaechi, were eloquent testimonies of his good work, and likened him to Governor Fashola Babatunde of Lagos State.

He, however, emphasized the need for a good succession plan in Rivers State to ensure that the goodwork embarked upon by Amaechi was not swept under the carpet.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Petroleum and Commissioner for Education in old Rivers State, Prof. Tam David-West says it is high time upland and riverine was jettisoned for a more unified political front and common purpose.

Prof. David-West, who condemned the political division amongst people from the riverine and upland areas of the state at 1st Pan-Rivers Leadership Summit organised by the Pan African Leadership Network in Port Harcourt yesterday said it was a mere creation of politicians to divide and rule the state.

Said David-West ,’’ so upland Rivers dichotomy is nonsense. There is scarcely any riverine that you cannot trace an upland blood ‘’.

He advocated the need for unity of purpose, maintaining that this was one way to make impact at the federal level.

The professor of virology,  said he had been an advocate of good governance and would always remain opposed to any government that wastes the resources of the people.

For him, leadership must be able to chart new course, guide and educate the people, while emphasizing that leadership must also be by example.

Calling on the need for total reflection by the people on the future, he remarked that,’’ if you don’t know the past, the present is not assured. If you don’t know the present, the future is in jeopardy’’.

Condemning sycophancy, the elderstatesman stressed that good governance must be hinged on frugal spending of public funds and transparency, observing that so far Governor Amaechi has demonstrated accountability,’’

Amaechi is the first governor who after getting money called everybody and said this is the amount of money I have. So, why would I not love a governor that is transparent and has engaged contractors from Rivers State? ‘’

He, therefore, summoned the people of the state to come together to build a united and peaceful state, as he prayed for a better leader to take over from the governor in 2015.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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