News
National Confab Begins On Shaky Note …Logistic Challenges Force Adjournment To Monday
National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers, protesting over the stampede that led to the death of some applicants during last Saturday’s recruitment into Nigerian Immigration Service in Kaduna, last Monday.
The much-talked about National Conference which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja yesterday suffered setback as delegates adjoined on the first day of sitting to Monday, following logistics challenges.
The Tide gathered that the delegates will take advantage of the adjournment to sort out their logistics issues before settling down for the national business.
Delegates to the conference, some of whom did their accreditation on Monday morning, are optimistic that the conference will achieve its prime objective of re-inventing and re-enacting Nigeria by coming up with a new roadmap acceptable to all sections and making the nation the toast of the international community.
Announcing the adjournment after a brief session that was meant to integrate delegates into the business at hand, ensure compliance with the directive of President Jonathan that the indivisibility of Nigeria is non-negotiable and ensure that the three-month conference was hitch-free and successful, Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi said the adjournment was meant to allow delegates, most of whom live outside Abuja, to settle down for the national assignment.
Present at the conference’s maiden session were other members of the secretariat, including the Deputy Chairman and former external affairs minister, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Secretary, Mrs Valerie Azinge and Assistant Secretary (Media and Communication), Mr James Akpandem.
After the adjournment, the 492 delegates were given conference materials in seminar bags in an orderly manner by Mr Akpandem, who is also an aide of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Those who expressed hope for the birth of a new Nigeria at the end of the conference in separate interviews with The Tide, include former military governor of old Rivers State, General Zamani Lekwot, former secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Sampson Agbaru, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, former chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator John Braimbeifa and Chairman, Abuja council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chuks Ehirin.
Meanwhile, all delegates to the National Conference will earn same allowances, the conference’s Assistant Secretary, Administration and Finance, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.
Yakubu also told the delegates, at their inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja, that the secretariat would not disclose the amount that would be paid to each of them.
According to him, the payment covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances.
He said that the delegates would be notified by their respective banks.
“Everything (allowances) has been monetised. Every delegate will be paid through e-payment and will be alerted by their banks.
“The payment, that covers accommodation, transportation and sitting allowances, will be paid every two weeks.
“We will not disclose it but the delegates are free to do so when they receive their payment slips. The allowances paid are the same for everybody,” he said.
Yakubu said that the Federal Government policy did not allow payment in physical cash except through e-payment and every delegate would be notified by his/her bank.
The Secretary to the conference, Dr Valerie Azinge, said no provision was made for aides of the delegates.
She, however, said facilities would be provided for the physically-challenged and the elderly where necessary.
Some of the delegates complained about facilities at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), which they said were not very conducive for the conference’s proceedings.
Azinge, however, appealed to them to make use of the facilities available adding that it was the best facility they could get in Abuja.
She explained that the International Conference Centre (ICC) is currently being occupied by the ECOWAS Parliament and that the centre had a standing rule with ECOWAS.
She said other issues which were also noted not have been included in the president’s speech would form part of the agenda when the conference reconvenes.
Azinge said that the speech would also form part of the major business of the conference for the next two weeks before breaking into committees.
According to her, the presiding and principal officers have set out clear cut plans to achieve the purpose of the conference.
She, however, said that before Monday’s session the rules of proceedings would be presented to the House to endorse, reject or make amendments.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.
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