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Banigo, Obuah Hail New Rivers CJ
Civil servants’ Choir, singing at the 2016 thanksgiging/dediction service organised by the Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt on Thursday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has described the appointment of Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra (the most senior judge in the state High Court) as Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State as a progressive development in the state judiciary.
Dr. Banigo, in a statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said the appointment of Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra, another female, by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has further restored stability and sanctity in the state judicial system in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
The deputy governor noted that the governor’s action has demonstrated obedience to rule of law, Justice, equity and fairness as well as compliance to laid down principles of engagement.
The deputy governor opined that the peaceful transition has again positioned Rivers State as a reference point in Judicial issues, pointing out that the State Government has lived up to its promise of reviving and respecting the independence of the Judiciary and the legislative Arms of Government as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution under the principle of separation of powers.
Banigo congratulated the new acting chief judge on her appointment, urging her to ensure that the peace and stability existing in the State Judiciary are not only maintained but improved upon to justify the confidence reposed in women by Governor Wike to hold positions of trust.
She noted with happiness that the new acting Chief Judge would bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her duties by sustaining the confidence and stability of the Judiciary Arm of Government.
It would be recalled that Justice Daisy Okocha retired on Thursday January 14, 2014, as Chief Judge of Rivers State after her statutory years in service.
In a related development, the Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Felix Obuah has lauded the indisputable disposition and steadfastness of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in respecting due process and rule of law in governance of the state.
The PDP chairman noted that the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, following due retirement of the immediate past substantive Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha, is one among other demonstrable actions of the governor in keeping to the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rules and procedures guiding such appointment.
Obuah said that Wike’s transparency and commitment since assumption of office as governor of the state on May 29, 2015, has restored justice, respect and smote succession in the Rivers State Judiciary.
He hinted that the governor’s action has also prevented undue and avoidable judiciary crisis which was the hallmark of the former administration, expressing confidence that Rivers State courts will no longer be closed, thereby denying citizens and residents of the state access to justice.
“We promised people of the state, and indeed all Nigerians a brand new Rivers State, where the three arms of government will function independently and carry out their constitutional duties accordingly. I am happy that the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been resolute in keeping to this promise, and assure our people that he will not be distracted or betray the thrust reposed in him as our governor”, Obuah said.
While we congratulate the immediate past Chief Judge of our dear state, Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha, on her uprightness, successful completion of service to the State in that capacity, and retirement from active service, we welcome the incoming Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice A. I. Iyayi- Lamikanra, and urge her to continue the good works of her predecessor by ensuring dispensation and efficient administration of justice in the state, he said
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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