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Non-Indigenes Drum Support For Dakuku

Published

11 years ago

January 19, 2015

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, on Saturday declared the game over for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with regard to the February 2015 general elections.
This followed the endorsement earlier in the day, of APC Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), and the Rivers State APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, by non-indigenes in the state. The more than 950,000 non-indigenes in Rivers State spoke through their various representatives during an epochal rally organised by the Non-political Indigenes Forum (NIPF) and attended by over 15,000 non-indigenes at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the rally, NIPF Leader and Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Chuma Chinye, declared: “No non-indigene in Rivers State will vote for PDP or any other political party as we are not ingrates considering all that Governor Chibuike Amaechi has done to improve our lot. Today, one of us –my humble self – is a member of the highest ranking governing body in Rivers State, the State Executive Council, while others such as Chief Ade Adeogun is the chairman of the sanitation and environmental company of the state, Mr. David Iyofor is the chief press secretary to the governor, amongst other strategic positions of our people in government. Our kids are paying the same fees with indigenes at the various strata of education. We must appreciate all these by ensuring that we vote APC in all the elections to avoid those who have vowed to deal with us once they come to power.”
In separate speeches, Dr. Williams Ubeka for the South-East, Chief Joseph Ijede for the South-South, Alhaji Ahmed Adisa for the South-West, Alhaji Sulaiman Hussaini for the North-Central and Alhaji Tanko Yusuf for the North, while Mrs. Chief Ijede for the women, restated their readiness to support APC at all levels in the elections.
The speakers highlighted all the good things non-indigenes have enjoyed under the administration of Governor Amaechi, and contrasted it with the evil they suffered when Chief Nyesom Wike, the PDP governorship candidate, was chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government, when he introduced various taxes to scare away non-indigenes from Rivers State.
They maintained that if the non-indigenes have any enemy in Rivers State, Chief Wike is the chief tormentor of non-indigenes.
They promised to ensure that he does not smell the Brick House for the sake of Rivers people, whether indigenes or non-indigenes.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Dakuku Peterside reassured the non-indigenes of the commitment of his administration once elected to continue the legacies of Governor Amaechi, “including empowering all Rivers State people through my Four-Point Agenda titled ‘Road Map to Prosperity’ for the people of Rivers State.” He explained that the Four-Point Agenda aimed at taking Rivers State to the next level, include public sector accountability and security of lives and properties; employment generation and wealth creation; social and human capital development and empowerment; as well as institutional and physical infrastructure development and food security. I will sustain the policy initiated by my mentor and leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, to make the non-indigenes group the 24th Local Government Area of Rivers state. This unit is to cater for the welfare and interests of all non-indigenes in the State,” he said.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Ibiamu Davies Ikanya, described the event as unprecedented in the annals of electioneering in the state.
“This large number of non-indigenes has never gathered to endorse a particular political party and candidates. With what I am seeing, the 2015 general election is already lost by PDP, and I expect Peterside to set in motion the shape of his government and prepare for his swearing in ceremony come May 29, 2015 as with the support of these great Nigerians, APC in Rivers State is unstoppable on its way to Brick House,” Ikanya said. Dr Ikanya described PDP as ‘Politically Dead Party (PDP).’
Senator Magnus Abe, who spoke on behalf of other APC candidates, described Dr. Dakuku Peterside as a symbol of unity, equity, continuity, progress and hope for not only Rivers State but for the future of the Nigerian nation.
He urged the people of Rivers State to vote massively for Buhari, Peterside and all the candidates of APC, “and avoid those that promote violence as a way of life, if we intend to have an egalitarian and progressive Rivers State.”
Other political heavyweights that graced the event include the Rivers State APC Deputy Gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Honourable O Asita; Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, a member of the Board of Trustees of APC; Chief Victor Giadom, Director General of Rivers APC Campaign Organisation; APC Senatorial flag-bearer for Rivers East Senatorial District, Hon. Andrew Uchendu; as well as House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates.

Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Ms Alice Lawrence-Nemi (left) leading pupils and teachers into the new 20-classroom block built by the Rivers State Government, last week in Port Harcourt.

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

16 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

16 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

16 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi