Amaechi Hosts Other Governors

The 4th retreat of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, held last
weekend in Port Harcourt, over-shadowned many activities that took place in Government House last week.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi had returned to the state on Wednesday after receiving united Nations Association Fellowship Award in Gevera Switzerland following his contributions and achievements in Education sector which placed Rivers State as the best state in Nigeria with 21st Century Educational facilities.
UNITAR Country Director, Larry Boms said, “Governor Amaechi is recognized for his leadership in governance, infrastructural development social economic development and distributional equity and justice”.
The award entitles the governor with a United Nations Diplomatic Immunity while on UN assignments.
Within the week under review, The Rivers State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Worgu Boms last Monday dismissed the story making the round that a High Court Judge in the State Judiciary has been appointed Administrative Judge by the National Judicial Service Commission (NJC).
Boms stated that the National Judicial Service Commission and the Rivers State Judiciary were incapable of making such appointment and urged the general public to disregard such rumours, and equally warned those peddling the rumours to desist forthwith, or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
On Friday morning, Governor Amaechi, through his Chief Press Secretary, expressed condolence to the people of Kano Emirate over the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, describing the death of the Monarch as a huge loss to the nation.
“Nigeria has lost a reputable icon, an excellent traditional ruler, and one of the most revered”, the governor stated.
The fourth NGF Retreat commenced on Thursday in Port Harcourt with the arrival of some governor to the State. A meeting of the governors was held on Thursday night breaking Friday for the final retreat.
On Friday, the final lapse of the retreat took off with Governor Amaechi presiding. It was an open session for both government officials and journalists who were accredited for the programme.
In his opening remarks, Governor Amaechi stated that the programme was coming at a critical time in the nation’s life and therefore was geared towards addressing dire challenges facing the country.
He said since most of the governors, about 19 of them were nearing the end of their tenure, there was the need for governors to ensure that the meeting target points, saying, “what we do as governors toward the end of our administration may mar or make our administrative”.
The Rivers State governor also used the retreat to call on all the governors to close ranks and jettison all forms of division and acrimony as it would help make the forum a formidable force in instituting democracy in the country.
Amaechi also expressed hope that the 2015 elections would further deepen democracy and promote the rights of the minority, while commending the NGF secretariat for the hardwork and for coming up with a Transitioning Guide Book for members.
Shortly after Governor Amaechi’s remarks, the first session on Governors Transitioning was discussed with the former President of Liberia, Prof. Amos Sawyer Chairing Sawyer underscored the need for governors to see their position as a trust to serve the people and leaving a lasting legacy.
The last session which dwelt on Youth Employment, however, drew most reactions, especially from Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole, Governor Amaechi and President of Nigeria Economic Society, Prof. Olu Ajakaiye.
At the end of the retreat, an 11-point communiqué was read by Governor Amaechi with the promise by the governors to focus on good governance, service delivery in their respective states through employment generation.