News
SSG Tasks New Tourism Boss
The Rivers State Tourism Development Agency(RSTDA) has been tasked to be self sustainable through private sector participation capable of generating revenue to the state.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii gave the charge at the weekend while handing out a road map to the new board chairman of the agency, Deacon Vincent Erinwo at his office in Port Harcourt.
Mr. Feyii said with the appointment of new board chairman, the agency should be able to evolve methods that would promote tourism development in the state.
Said he, “ You have gone to the stage where the agency should be sustainable to run itself, and not to wait for government funding, by this measure, the agency is expected to think out ways of achieving broader issues of tourism development in the state’’.
He tasked the board to work in unison by pooling their wealth of experiences and competences in ensuring that the objectiveness of the agency is achieved.
“The Rivers State Government expects cohesion in the board, as squabbles would disintegrate the agency, we know it is painstaking effort in trying to identify this need, but we believe that your team have the right kind of chemistry to ensure the objective for setting up the agency is achieved,’’ Feyii further remarked.
The SSG harped on the need to involve public sector partcipation in tourism development as that would create sustainability and revenue generation, while urging the agency to aim for greater performance.
Responding, the new Chairman of the board, Deacon Erinwo assured the Rivers State Government scribe that they would ensure they work in unison to achieve set goals.
“ I assure you that the ideas of members of the board drawn from different background would be put together in a melting pot for the galvanization of the activities of government to achieve desired goals’’.
He pleaded for full government support and encouragement for the agency to make the state a hub of tourist attraction and destination, capable of earning revenue and provision of employment opportunities to Rivers people.
In the same vein, Director General of the agency, Dr. Sam Dede has assured of the readiness of the agency to achieve success in the tourism development prospects of the state.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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