Front Pix
Wike Tasks New CJ On Reforms …Orders Inclusion Of Widows In CBN’s Fund
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has sworn in an Acting Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra with a charge for her to sustain the judicial reforms started by her predecessor.
Wike while congratulating Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra on her new office shortly after her swearing-in at Government House in Port Harcourt, further charged her to dispense justice without fear or favour.
‘’We thank God that the judiciary is back, let the acting Chief Judge continue from where her predecessor stopped. Your predecessor has done very well, I am very proud to say this. Do your best and at the end of the day people will commend you”, the governor said.
Wike had during a valedictory court session in honour of Justice Okocha on Thursday last week announced that he will follow due process in the appointment of a successor to Justice Okocha.
The Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra, is an indigene of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State while her late husband hailed from Rivers State, and the present husband, a Yoruba.
Wike insisted that the rule of law and respect for the laid down succession be followed in the appointment. This is the first it is happening in the country.
Speaking during the swearing-in of the Rivers State reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to accord women their rightful positions in government, no matter the circumstances.
The governor said that women will continue to enjoy more than 35 per cent of appointments in his administration, noting that women occupy about 70 per cent in different positions
He said: “Nobody should talk about twenty five per cent or 30 per cent, the women appointed since my administration came into power, has covered up to 70 per cent”.
Wike further advised the newly sworn in Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra to dispense justice to the people without fear or favour.
Responding, the newly sworn in Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra while expressing thanks to the governor of Rivers State for finding her worthy for appointment as the acting chief judge of Rivers State, promised to dispense justice at all times.
Meanwhile, moved by the plight of widows of fallen military personnel in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has approved their inclusion in the N2billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fund for women and youth empowerment of the state government.
Addressing a company of ex-service men and women in Government House to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations last weekend in Port Harcourt, Wike assured that his administration will continue to work with the Rivers State Nigerian Legion to provide employment and improve the wellbeing of veterans.
He said the government will always ensure that the welfare of veterans and the families of those who lost their lives in defending the country are given priority attention.
The governor noted that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is significant because it provides Nigerians the opportunity to publicly appreciate the contributions of armed forces personnel.
He said: “As some persons have rightly observed, most often we are too inclined to take for granted the prevailing stability in our country. However, given our chequered history, the opportunities for national peace and security are made possible largely through the efforts, commitment and sacrifices of our armed forces to defend the sovereignty and territory integrity of our country.
“Let us continue to acknowledge and thank the men and women of our current armed forces who have answered the National call to service. Most significantly, let us resolve to use the lesson of self-sacrifice to re-dedicate ourselves to preserving the unity of our country”.
He called on Nigerians never to forget the sacrifices of the fallen heroes in order to encourage living officers to put in their best for the nation.
He announced that the state government will address the accommodation and logistics challenge of the Rivers State Nigeria Legion.
“For the families of our fallen heroes who are with us today, our deep thoughts and prayers are with you for the losses you have suffered. We encourage you to take solace in the significance of the recognition and honour the nation bestows on your children, daughters, parents, brothers, sisters and other children”, he said.
In his address, Rivers State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Colonel Wilberforce Josiah, commended Nyesom Wike for his commitment to the welfare of the veterans, and appealed to him to always take action on issues that concern their welfare.
Highpoint of the celebrations was the laying of wreath for the unknown soldier by Governor Wike, Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Acting Chief Judge, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra and service commanders and police commissioner in Rivers State.
There was also a 21 gun salutes and a minute silence in honour of the fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, widows of ex-service men have made a passionate plea on government to assist them through scholarships, jobs and loans to sustain their families.
Chairperson of the body in the state, Mrs Theresa Pepple, lamented that wives of legionnaires have over the years been side-lined by the authorities in the different loan schemes floated by government.
She said, “we have always been exempted from benefiting in the loan schemes for women in the state. They say we are wives of ex-soldiers and whenever we send our names they put it in the waste bin.”
Pepple related that despite several promises in the past four years nothing has been given to them.
The ex-servicemen wife leader pleaded on government to assist members in developing a land they acquired some years back for agricultural business.
The same view was expressed by Anna Sule, a former chairperson of the body who decried neglect by the authorities.
Sule stated that most their members have been unable to pay school fees, house rents and sustain their families after they lost their husbands in the defence of the country.
She called on government to assist them through jobs, skills and loans for small businesses.
President Muhammed Buhari, inspecting a parade during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja on Friday
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.