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Sack Amaechi Now, Obuah Urges FG
The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah has called for the immediate sack of the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Minister in the federal cabinet following the revelations of the judicial commission of inquiry that probed his administration.
Obuah made the call in a statement in Port Harcourt last Tuesday in which he commended the judgement of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal which upheld the legality of the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry that probed the sale of state assets by the Amaechi administration.
The court had held that Justice Simson Amadi of the Rivers State High Court was right when he ruled that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry had power to sit and make recommendations.
Obuah said the recklessness and financial waste that characterised the Amaechi administration in the state was such that must not be left unscrutinised.
These, he said, include the sale of the Omoku 150MW Gas Turbine; Afam 360MW Gas Turbine; Trans-Amadi 136MW Gas Turbine; and Eleme 75MW Gas Turbine; the sale of Olympia Hotel; the waste of funds on the construction of the mono-rail project; the failed construction of Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital; the disbursement of N2billion under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme; the accrued sum total of money from the mandatory monthly contribution of N1billion by the Rivers State Government into the Rivers State Reserved Fund, and many others.
He further noted that some of the recommendations of the commission, which the former governor must act fast to comply with include, the refund of N4,633,440,000 illegally paid to CLINOTEC under the failed Public Private Partnership; answer questions in respect of the 38 unregistered co-operative societies that benefited from the agricultural grants, the former Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Chinda, who compiled the list of the benefitting cooperative societies, should be made to refund all grants so disbursed and should also be prosecuted for defrauding the government and people of Rivers State. The Permanent Secretary and all members of the disbursement committee should be made to face disciplinary action for not following the guidelines of the loan before recommending disbursement to the co-operatives.
Other issues to be addressed include, the approval for the disbursement of the sum of N3billion obtained under the agricultural loan scheme without regard to the guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); as well as the illegality surrounding the withdrawals, including the N53, 936, 000,000.00 between February, 2014 and January, 2015, and N30billion on 13/2/2014, the former governor made on the State Reserve Fund, and urged the office of the Attorney-General to take appropriate legal steps to recover the sums of money withdrawn from the fund.
The PDP also called on the former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii, to refund the N4 billion unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 20th of February, 2014, for the purpose of “settlement of various outstanding obligations relating to security issues in SSG’s Office”; the N400million unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 21st of March, 2014, for the purpose of staff armoured vehicles”; N117million withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 25th day of March, 2014, for “revalidation and renewal of lease on the property at F29 Sani-Abacha Road, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt”; as well as the N447,200,000.00 withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund “for payment of 2012 and 2013 Premier League Session Sign-On Fees for (3) three football clubs in Rivers State”.
Obuah also tasked the owners of Orosi House at No. 28, Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, to refund to the Government of Rivers State the sum N300million which they received from Government of Rivers State as five years rent for the lease of the complex to SUBEB- Ministry of Education Office, knowing full well that the property had been destroyed by fire in 2007.
He further requested that the principal officers of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the said time, who facilitated the adoption of the House Resolution on 13/2/21, authorizing the former governor of Rivers State to withdraw the billions afore-stated, should be prosecuted for authorizing the illegal withdrawal from the fund.
The PDP chairman expressed optimism that doing justice to the above recommendations by a legitimate commission will go a long way in making Rivers people happy again, and also enhance the Rivers State Government’s ability in carrying out more development projects across the 23 LGAs.
“We demand justice in this matter and we would pursue it to the end”, Obuah said.
It would be recalled that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court, had in 2015, dismissed the suit filed by former Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, challenging the constitution of the Justice George Omereji–led Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of state assets by the immediate past administration.
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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