News
RSG Hands Over Reconstructed Schools To Communities …As UK Seeks FG’s Clarification On His Whereabouts
The Rivers State Government has commissioned and handed over three reconstructed basic schools in Ahoada West, Port Harcourt and Asari-Toru local government areas to their respective benefiting communities.
Performing the commissioning and handing over ceremonies on behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Venerable Fyneface Akah said that the contracts were delivered on schedule and in line with specifications.
The three basic schools commissioned and handed over are: Government Girls Secondary School, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Community Secondary School, Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, and State School, Elelema in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
The representative of the Rivers State governor said that the reconstruction and renovation of 175 basic schools flagged off by Wike have reached 90 per cent completion stage across the state.
He noted that the remaining 10 per cent of schools are those where work started behind schedule, pointing out that most of them will be delivered in two weeks.
He said: “We are glad to report that they have been up and about their job. They have kept to specifications and adhered to the time-table. As children return to school, they will not be locked out.
“I am very happy that the children are very pleased. They have found a better environment and properly furnished classrooms”.
The representative of the governor stated that across the state, parents were happy that the governor remembered schools in rural areas.
“We are harnessing resources that we have in Rivers State, applying them as a strategy for empowerment. RSG is committed to encouraging indigenous companies that we have in the state, rather than go to Dubai or China to import furniture. They are employing indigenes of Rivers State, and they are empowering the people,” he said.
The commissioning and handing over ceremonies were greeted with celebrations as community leaders and teachers hailed he governor for his commitment to enhancing education.
The Community Secretary of Elelema in Asari-Toru, Mr Marshal Horsfall said the reconstruction of State School in Elelema shows that the area has been recognised by the Rivers State Government.
Principal of the Government Girls Secondary School, Ahoada, Mrs Ayuogbokor Aina David, said that the staff and students will forever cherish the reconstructed and furnished school.
Mrs Samuel Awoba of Community Secondary School, Abuluoma and Chief Chinemere Luke, chairman, Ahoada Council of Chiefs commended the governor for including their respective communities in the reconstruction of the schools.
It would be recalled that Wike flagged off the reconstruction of 175 basic schools in Port Harcourt on July 20, 2017.
During the flag off, he said: “”The funds for the reconstruction and furnishing of these schools have been set aside. Therefore, funding will not be an issue. I direct that payment should be done by milestone. The contractors should be paid based on the work they do. There should be nothing like variation”.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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