Front Pix
Call Your Aides To Order, PDP Advises Jonathan; Demands Aviation Minister’s Sack …As Amaechi Blames PH Airport Neglect On Political Crisis
The Abubakar Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to call his aides to order so as to avoid plunging the country into avoidable chaos.
The PDP also asked the President to stop his men from portraying his administration as promoting corruption to the high heavens.
In a statement yesterday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the new PDP said that the advice had become necessary following the uncovering of a plot to massively bribe House of Representatives members with a view to getting them pass a vote of confidence on President Jonathan while at the same time putting in place strategies to impeach the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and some other principal officers for their alleged sympathy for the Baraje-led PDP National Executive Committee of the party.
The breakaway party explained that information available to it indicated that the Bamanga Tukur’s faction of PDP, working in concert with some Presidency officials, has set about to induce members of the House of Representatives with a view to passing a vote of confidence on President Jonathan and impeaching its (new PDP) principal officers.
Meanwhile, the new PDP has berated the Presidency for the sack of Senator Joy Emordi as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters following her candid advice on the right way to handle simple political issues instead of bribing lawmakers to do the President’s bidding.
“We have equally read reports that Senator Joy Emordi was sacked as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters because of her candid advice that inducing members of the National Assembly financially to impeach their principal officers would be counter-productive.
“If this is true, we hereby demand her immediate reinstatement. For Senator Emordi to be bold enough to tell Mr. President the implication of such a corrupt inducement of lawmakers should earn her commendation rather than a sack.
“Instead of sacking such a forthright and patriotic Amazon, the President should sack those hawks around him planning to ridicule him by encouraging him to embark on acts capable of making him unpopular amongst his supporters and followers,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate sack of the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah following allegations that she was instrumental to the unnecessary delay in the completion of the remodeling of Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
In a statement signed yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the new PDP said that “if it is true that the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Odua, has abandoned the remodeling of the Port Harcourt International Airport while completing those started at the same time because of the assumed conflict between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, we demand her immediate sack before she causes further damage to your administration.
“We plead with you, Mr. President, not to embark upon any further act or impunity that will endanger the peace and unity of our troubled nation,” the statement added.
It would be recalled that Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, last Saturday accused the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, of abandoning the remodelling of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state because of his rift with President Goodluck Jonathan.
Amaechi, who said this in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent, said that apart from leaving the airport in deplorable state, the minister impounded the aircraft belonging to the state “for no reason.”
The governor said he had reported the minister to the President to no avail.
He said, “I have gone to the President and told him that because of the disagreement between Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who is not Rivers State, and the President, the Minister of Aviation has abandoned the airport.
According to the governor, “they started that airport with Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and Calabar. The rest have been completed, including Enugu, which has been commissioned. It is hatred. The Minister of Aviation is reckless on that.”
Amaechi raised the alarm that with the state of the international airport, terrorists could have easy access and attack it at will.
He added that due to his rift with Jonathan, Oduah had prevented the state government from fulfilling its responsibility of securing the state and fighting crimes, including oil theft, using surveillance helicopters that it had paid for.
“We paid for two surveillance helicopters that would fly around Rivers State (and detect crime), including oil theft, and report real crime to police, air force, army and the Government House. She (Oduah) refused the helicopters from coming. They are there in America and the government of America has been wondering why we don’t want to take our plane and the President (Jonathan) is aware,” he said.
But in response, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Aviation Minister, Joe Obi, described the allegations as untrue and false, insisting that huge work was going on at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
“Port Harcourt Airport is among the 11 airports in the first phase of airport remodelling. If you go to that airport now, it is completely different from what it was two or three years ago,” Obi said.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
Front Pix
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.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Nigeria: Revisiting The Restructuring Issue
-
Rivers4 days ago
Commissioner Tasks Firms, Host Communities On Peace
-
Sports2 days ago
‘Belief Has Returned To Germany Ahead Euro 2024’
-
Editorial2 days ago
That Kyari’s Promise On PH Refinery
-
Niger Delta5 hours ago
Obaseki Presents Three Bills To Edo Assembly For Consideration
-
News12 mins ago
Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Offer Incentives To Boost Oil, Gas Production, Academy Tells FG
-
News4 days ago
PDP Leader Assures Fubara Of Support