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No Emperor ’ll Govern Rivers – Amaechi …PDP ’ll Lose For Imposing Wike – Princewill
RIVERS State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that no emperor will govern the state as the people will not vote for any governorship candidate that presents himself as a highhanded leader.
Amaechi, who spoke at the freestyle parade of the Rivers State Cultural Festival known as CARNIRIV in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said, Rivers people would only vote for a statesman and an effective leader that understood their problems.
The state governor expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress would win the forthcoming governorship election, adding that an APC governor in the state would not allow the annual CARNIRIV celebration to die.
He said, “It is only a leader that understands what the problems of the people are and has taken time to think and explore ways to find solution to their problems that can govern them well. I believe that the All Progressives Congress will win the governorship election and the APC governor that will emerge from the election will not allow what happened to the previous CARNIRIV to happen.
Amaechi said, “I believe that he (an APC governor) will sustain CARNIRIV. And the governor that will take over from my successor will also be APC, so our yearly Christmas Carnival parade will be sustained. I am very confident that incoming APC governors will sustain CARNIRIV because I do not see APC producing emperors as governors. Listen, the APC must field that statesman, that man who knows and appreciates the pain of poverty; that man who understands that poverty has filled everywhere.”
“My honest advice to the people of Rivers State is to vote for a God-fearing man and not an emperor. It is my conviction that only a God-fearing man can wipe out poverty from the state. Only a man of strong character can bring development to the state and not an emperor. No emperor will govern Rivers State.”He added.
In his remarks, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, pledged that as a state governor, he would promote tourism as a vehicle to empower the youths. Adding, “I will sustain CARNIRIV to harness the vigour of our active youths. I believe that tourism can create wealth for the state and assist in liberating our people from poverty.”
Meanwhile, the Governorship candidate of Labour Party in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party will lose Rivers State because of the disorganised state of the party as a result of the imposition of the PDP governorship candidate, who was a former Minister of state for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Princewill, who was a governorship aspirant in the PDP before he defected to the LP as a result of the rancourous governorship primary in the party, spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday and condemned what he described as the humiliating treatment meted to other PDP aspirants under the influence of Wike.
He also described the choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as running mate of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(rtd.) as a smart move? by the opposition party.
Princewill said, “Looking at PDP, I decided not to support Wike simply because by my opinion he cannot win. It is just pointless to me that If Wike loses and APC wins, we are sitting there and watching it happen. ?If you want to win an election, what Wike is doing is not how to do it. You don’t alienate more than 20 governorship aspirants in a manner that will do nothing but offend them.
He said, “If you truly want to win an election with PDP, that is not how to do it. Maybe the plan is to drive people from PDP so that the APC will win because I tell you the only way APC can win is if PDP is disorganised and Wike has done absolutely everything in the book to ensure the PDP is disorganised.
Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside (right), addressing newsmen after collecting his nomination and intent forms at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt, last Thursday. With him is a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Honourable Asita recently. Photo: Obinna Prince Dele
The programme, which targets vulnerable residents in rural communities, is designed to stimulate local economies, reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability and discourage youth restiveness through community-based public works.
The Technical Head of Climate-Smart Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) under RIVCARES, Engr Prince Enyindah, disclosed this during the training and orientation programme organised for beneficiaries across the three senatorial districts in Saakpenwa, Ahoada and Port Harcourt.
Enyindah explained that the 5,500 beneficiaries were selected from the Rivers State Social Register, stressing that they would be engaged in environmental sanitation and other climate-friendly activities within their respective communities.
He noted that the programme was upgraded from the former Rivers COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Scheme to the Rivers State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus programme, with climate-smart interventions incorporated into its operations.
According to him, the monthly stipend for beneficiaries has been increased from N15,000 to ¦ 20,000, payable for 12 months, with the possibility of a review after the initial one-year period.
He urged the beneficiaries to appreciate the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the initiative and encouraged them to invest their monthly stipends in productive economic activities that could improve their financial conditions.
Speaking in Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area, Enyindah explained that beneficiaries would be responsible for activities aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene and environmental conditions in their communities.
He listed the areas of intervention to include clearing community footpaths, cleaning drainages and gutters, maintaining market places, town halls, community playgrounds and traditional rulers’ palaces.
He also urged the beneficiaries to discourage indiscriminate tree felling as part of efforts to promote environmental protection and climate resilience.
At Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area, where beneficiaries from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas received their training, the RIVCARES technical head emphasised that the programme was not politically motivated.
He maintained that the beneficiaries were selected through the state Social Register and cautioned against individuals or political actors claiming personal credit for their recruitment.
Enyindah further disclosed that plans were underway to provide beneficiaries with additional vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their capacity to generate income beyond the monthly stipends.
Speaking with journalists, he explained that the programme was specifically designed to stimulate economic activities in rural communities, alleviate poverty and address factors contributing to youth restiveness.
He observed that prolonged unemployment and lack of income among rural residents could expose some individuals to social crises, adding that the monthly financial support would provide beneficiaries with some economic relief.
“If you look at the programme, it is an economic stimulus programme. You discover that there are people who stay in our rural communities from day one to the end of the month without getting a dime, and that can make them put their hands into crisis.
“But when somebody who is not getting anything is given ¦ 20,000 at the end of the month, it will make a little meaning to the person,” he said.
He explained that the programme currently covers all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, with approximately 234 beneficiaries allocated to each council area.
Enyindah described the ongoing exercise as the first phase of the intervention, noting that subsequent phases would be expanded as additional resources became available.
He therefore appealed to the state government to provide more counterpart funding to enable the programme to accommodate additional beneficiaries across the local government areas.
According to him, the previous phase of the intervention recorded significant achievements, particularly in addressing youth restiveness and providing economic opportunities for vulnerable residents.
Also speaking at Ahoada, the Head of Operations, Labour-Intensive Public Works, Mr Wilson Ihunwo, encouraged the beneficiaries to prepare for the responsibilities associated with the programme and make meaningful contributions to the maintenance of public facilities in their communities.
He explained that the beneficiaries would be encouraged to take ownership of public utilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of residents.
Similarly, the Head of Gender-Based Violence under RIVCARES, Jennifer Bishop, cautioned against gender discrimination, harassment and other forms of workplace misconduct.
She urged male beneficiaries to invest their stipends responsibly, while advising female beneficiaries to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid inappropriate advances towards their supervisors.
Some beneficiaries, including Chiwendu Dukuma from ONELGA, Oby Joseph from Abua/Odual and Odema Kingsley from Omalem Community in Abua, expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government for including them in the programme.
They pledged to utilise the financial support responsibly and invest their earnings in productive ventures, while appealing to the government to sustain and expand the initiative to accommodate more vulnerable residents.
The RIVCARES Community Workforce Programme is expected to combine temporary employment opportunities with environmental improvement, community development and economic empowerment across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a N28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said N3million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that N2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest N13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, N2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
The new President also solicited the cooperation and support of club members, stressing that their collective commitment would be essential to achieving the objectives of his administration during the Rotary year.Rotary Club Unveils ¦ 28m Budget for Healthcare, Education, Peacebuilding, Others
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, District 9141, has unveiled a ¦ 28 million intervention plan targeting healthcare delivery, peacebuilding, education, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, and environmental protection during the new Rotary year.
The new President of the club, Rotarian Noble Uranta, disclosed this shortly after his induction as the 7th President, explaining that his administration would align its programmes with Rotary International’s global mission and seven areas of focus.
Uranta said each area would receive dedicated attention and resources to ensure that the club’s interventions deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to its host communities.
He identified the areas of focus as peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environmental protection, among others.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed interventions, the Rotary President said the club had earmarked ¦ 2 million for peacebuilding and conflict prevention through community dialogue forums and mediation training aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving disputes.
He disclosed that ¦ 3.5 million would be committed to disease prevention and treatment through medical outreaches, vaccination drives and health awareness campaigns.
On water, sanitation and hygiene, Uranta said ¦ 3 million had been allocated to borehole projects and hygiene education in schools to improve access to clean water and promote healthier communities.
He further announced that ¦ 2.5 million would be devoted to maternal and child health initiatives, including the provision of safe delivery kits and nutrition programmes to improve the wellbeing of mothers and children.
For basic education and literacy, the club plans to invest ¦ 13 million in scholarships, literacy campaigns and the provision of computers to schools to improve learning opportunities and bridge the digital divide.
Similarly, ¦ 2.5 million has been earmarked for environmental protection initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and waste recycling programmes to promote environmental sustainability.
The proposed interventions, according to Uranta, represent the club’s commitment to extending its humanitarian services and creating measurable improvements in the lives of people within its areas of operation.
He assured members that his administration would prioritise impactful projects that address community needs and contribute to sustainable development.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the late Chief Albert Korubo Horsfall as a distinguished statesman whose contributions to national development brought honour and distinction to the Kalabari Kingdom and Rivers State.
Fubara said Horsfall’s life of service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity had left an enduring legacy that would continue to inspire generations.
The governor spoke through the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, at the funeral service of the late elder statesman last Saturday in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
He described Horsfall as a patriotic Nigerian whose leadership and dedication to the country’s development earned him a place in the nation’s history.
“Chief Horsfall was a distinguished statesman whose life was defined by service, patriotism, integrity and commitment to humanity.
“His contributions to our nation, particularly through his service as Director-General of the State Security Service, pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency and Chairman of OMPADEC, remain significant milestones in our national history,” Fubara said.
The governor noted that the late Horsfall’s contributions to national security, intelligence administration and the development of the Niger Delta would remain part of his enduring legacy.
“His legacy of leadership, national service and dedication to development will remain an enduring source of inspiration to generations yet unborn,” he added.
Fubara urged the bereaved family, the Kalabari people and other Nigerians to uphold the values of peace, unity and selfless service exemplified by the late elder statesman.
The funeral service attracted several dignitaries, including the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a representative of the Bayelsa State Governor, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chairman of PENDEF and the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom.
Also in attendance were the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, the Commissioner for Special Projects and other government officials, traditional rulers and stakeholders.
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