News
RSG Presents NUJ Secretariat Keys To Union …To Review Posting Policies For NYSC
The Rivers State Government yesterday handed over the keys of the ultra-modern Ernest Ikoli Press Centre to the new executive of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) barely 34 days after the official commissioning of the building.
The secretariat was commissioned by the immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the 27th of May, 2015 amid fanfare and celebrations from journalists in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Sam Woka, who performed the handover ceremony on behalf of the state government, explained that the ceremony had to be delayed to protect the edifice from being vandalised by hoodlums following perceived crisis in the union.
Woka, who expressed the hope that journalists in the state, will get access to the secretariat in the next few weeks, also stressed the need for proper maintenance of the facilities at the press centre.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary has assured of the state government’s readiness to work with journalists to improve access to government information in the state.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the new executive of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, he said that government will continue to insist in responsible journalism practice.
Woka stressed the need for journalists to always verify their stories before going to press to avoid litigation, and urged the new executive to always maintain listening ears, while discharging its duties.
The Permanent Secretary also commended the union for its successful triennial delegates’ conference, and assured that its request for assistance to enable the journalists in the state participate in the forth-coming triennial National delegates’ Conference in Abuja will be communicated to the state Governor for prompt action.
Earlier, the newly elected state Chairman of the Council, Mr. Ayo Tamuno had said that the visit was to thank the Ministry and government for their continuous support to journalists in the state.
Tamuno, particularly thanked the government for the ultra-modern secretariat, and stressed the need for the government to facilitate its connection to the national grid.
He also requested for a yearly grant and vehicles to enable the union discharge its duties effectively.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has promised government’s support to the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) in the state.
Speaking when the state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Dorothy Nwatarali and other senior officials of the scheme visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, Wike said the state government will not hesitate in providing the necessary support to make the programme effective
Against this backdrop, he promised to upgrade facilities at the orientation camp and also provide a 500KVA generator to guarantee sufficient power supply for the camp.
The Rivers State governor reiterated the desire of government to make the welfare of corps members a priority, as he donated two coaster buses and over 1,000-life jackets for those serving in the riverine areas of the state.
He also pledged government’s support for the Rural Mobile Health Scheme floated by corps members, and commended them for their efforts in raising the standard of health care delivery at the grassroots.
On the request by the state coordinator of the scheme to review its posting policy for corps members, the governor said the review will not be total, since that will negate the essence of the scheme.
In his words, “the scheme is to contribute to the development of the country. Therefore, if we are going to revisit the posting policy of the state, we are going to post you where you are relevant and not necessarily were you want to be posted to”
The governor remarked that his experience as Minister of State for Education has shown that many corps members shy away from contributing to the nation’s development by refusing to be posted to where they are expected to practice their profession – an act, he attributed to the poor quality of graduates in the country who are half-baked and scared of being exposed.
He insisted that while professionals like doctors, lawyers and engineers can be engaged in the ministries and parastatals, others should be sent to the classrooms, saying that he could not comprehend what a graduate of mathematics will be doing in an oil company.
Wike commended the State’s director for the role of corps members in the last general elections.
Conceding the brilliant performance of INEC, Wike argued that the success of INEC cannot be divorced from the role of corps members.
His words: “they said INEC performed well but without corps members, they would not have achieved success.”
Earlier, the state Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Dorothy Nwatarali, had congratulated the governor on his success at the polls as she sought for government’s support for the scheme.
In addition to the provision of the 500KVA generator, the NYSC state director had also prayed the governor to renovate the orientation camp and offices of the scheme, disclosing that there are over 11,000 corps members serving in Rivers State.
Nwatarali, had earlier called for the review of the state’s posting policy for corps members, disclosing that currently the state has over 11,000 members posted and that all cannot serve in schools.
Pledging support of the scheme to promote education and health policies, the state director of the NYSC, pleaded with government to pay corps members special allowances in addition to the provision of safety gears, especially for those serving in the riverine parts of the state.
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
-
Rivers3 days ago
HOS Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP … As Project Sensitization Team Visit Degema, AKULGA
-
Politics3 days agoReps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar
-
Opinion3 days ago
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
-
News3 days agoI’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
-
News3 days ago2027: I Stand With Southern Presidency -Ortom
-
Politics3 days ago
Lagos LG Polls: Police Restrict Movement, Tightens Security
-
News3 days agoSenate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
-
Opinion3 days ago
Checking Herdsmen Rampage