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‘Constitutional Amendment, Reflection Of Our People’s Voice’ …As RVHA Approves Nine, Rejects Six Alterations …Tasks NASS On Power Devolution

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7 years ago

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Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to revisit the item that has to do with the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to devolve power to federating units, arguing that the constitutional amendment was a reflection of the voice of the people.
The Speaker gave the advise at plenary of the assembly, last Monday, during which 15 alterations of the Transmission of Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill 2017 were debated.
He said: “On behalf of the House, I thank each and every one of us for the contributions we have made today in the passing of the relevant amendments. It is one milestone we have achieved as a house, and it will go a long way; history will have it in our favour that this day, as members of Rivers State House of Assembly, we have done what we’re supposed to do to ensure the Nigerian state is one that deepens its democratic values, and to also ensure peace and good governance in all sections of the country.
“In doing this, by leave of the house as well, it should be placed on record that every federal state is one that will always make the constituent units to be happy, and that this house stands with the original position of devolution of power; that the National Assembly should revisit that particular item that has to do with the alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to devolve powers because it is one of the basic features of federalism the world over.
“It is believed that when powers are devolved instead of centralizing power, it will allow diversity of the people to also come to play so that they can be at their best. It is proper and fit for the National Assembly, having transmitted the aspects of the 1999 Constitution to the various state Houses of Assembly, to also concur, and it is proper and fit for them to revisit the issue of devolution of power.
“It is important that instead of centralizing power or over-centralizing power in a federal state, we are tending towards pluralism instead of unitarism; there are basic and predisposing conditions that will always make federating units to come together by way of agreement or contract to form a federal state, and that if we go back to therefore basics, Nigeria will be a better place for us all.
“This is our message from 132 Legislative Day of the Eighth Assembly of the Rivers State House of Assembly that the National Assembly should revisit the item that has to do with devolution of power to states.”

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Niger Delta

Diri To Deliver UNIPORT’s 35th Convocation Lecture July 25th … As UNIPORT’s Mgt Visits Bayelsa 

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7 days ago

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June 20, 2025

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, will deliver the 35th convocation lecture of the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State on July 25, 2025.
The State’s Chief Executive gave his consent during the courtesy visit of the institution’s management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, to Government House, Yenagoa, last Friday.
Prof. Georgewill said the institution was proud to have the Governor as an alumnus, stating that the State under Governor Diri was experiencing rapid transformation as virtually all sectors of its economy had been positively affected by his administration.
The VC also said the institution was pleased to be associated with the Governor and that it was a huge privilege having him as a product of the school.
He appealed to the Governor to consider a legacy project as a way of giving back to the institution, which he noted will also help it cope with the rising number of students and staff.
While accepting the offer, Governor Douye Diri said as an alumnus, he was bound to be part of the institution’s activities.
He commended the UNIPORT management for maintaining excellence in the institution, stressing that education was crucial to development of society.
The Bayelsa number one citizen noted that leaders who fail to invest in education would have to deal with the consequences of crime and criminality, restating his administration’s commitment to developing the sector, noting that society would not progress without education.
The State’s helmsman explained that Bayelsa had shifted focus from paper qualification to science, technical and vocational education, and that the government had already completed tuition-free technical colleges in six out of the eight Local Government Areas, with the contract for the other two awarded.
“If you ignore education, then you have to build more prisons because crime will soar. For us as a government, education is a priority.
“Those of us that had the opportunity must provide space for others. In Bayelsa, we are moving from paper qualification to science and technical education so our people can have skills to be employers of labour rather than being thrown into the labour market.
“We are building science and vocational colleges in every local government area as a policy of this government. School fees, feeding and accommodation are all free. Our educational curriculum needs to meet the needs of our society.
“Coming to your requests, I will be happy to deliver the convocation lecture. If I did it in other institutions, UNIPORT’s should not be different. I also approve your request for a legacy infrastructure in our institution”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

C’River Commences Inquiry Into NDDC’s Project Inauguration Disruption 

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7 days ago

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June 20, 2025

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The Cross River State Government has constituted a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the alleged disruption of the inauguration of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sponsored project in Calabar.
The five-member commission, which has Justice Emilia Ibok as Chairman, was mandated to ascertain the truth from the divergent narratives in the public domain regarding the disruption.
It has two weeks to submit its report.
The Tide’s source reports that the incident had sparked off intense faceoff between Sen. Asukwo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River Senatorial District, and the State Government over the ownership of some projects in Calabar metropolis.
The acrimony, however, took a dramatic turn, when some youths, allegedly on the orders of the State Government, disrupted the inauguration of one of the projects slated to be performed by the Minister of Regional Development, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh, last Friday.
The fracas that ensued pitched Ekpenyong’s supporters against those of the State Government.
Meanwhile, Ekpenyong has blamed the State Government for the ugly incident.
Reacting to the accusation, the State Government quickly announced the constitution of a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the issue.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, said that “following a deluge of allegations of disruption of some projects unveiling hosted by the NDDC, the Governor had constituted a judicial commission of inquiry.
“The commission shall identify the perpetrators and make appropriate recommendations for further disciplinary and/or criminal proceedings to be pursued against identified perpetrators.
“The commission is to conclude its inquiry and submit a report on or before July, 1,” Owan-Enoh said.
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FG Lauds Oborevwori’s Bold Initiatives In Delta 

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7 days ago

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June 20, 2025

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The Federal Government has praised Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for what it described as his proactive approach and bold steps in facilitating key infrastructural projects across the state.
The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who stated this during an inspection of the Second Niger Bridge access road, commended Governor Oborevwori for his support in the successful realization of the Second Niger Bridge access road and other critical infrastructure developments in the State.
Speaking to journalists in Asaba during the inspection, Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, lauded Governor Oborevwori for gazetting the right-of-way for the Second Niger Bridge access road extending to Issele-Azagba, and for personally overseeing the revocation and compensation processes related to affected properties.
“Let me commend, very, very highly, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, because he has gazetted the right-of-way for the Second Niger Bridge access road to Issele-Azagba.
“He has revoked the necessary properties and he is paying compensation himself”, Umahi stated.
The Minister urged other governors in the country to emulate Governor Oborevwori’s collaborative approach, noting that state-level support could accelerate federal projects and deliver quicker results to local communities.
He said: “I also want to appreciate the synergy between the Delta State Government and the Federal Government on ongoing projects in the state. The proactive approach by the Delta State Government in taking over the payment of compensation to affected individuals has been instrumental in fast-tracking these projects.
“I am confident this collaboration will yield positive results, and I assure the state government that the Federal Ministry of Works will honor its commitments”.
He also commended Governor Oborevwori for the ongoing construction of three flyovers and road expansion projects in Effurun, describing them as “very beautiful” and praising their unique design.
“I love the curves, and I have stolen that design and I am going to use it”, he said, highlighting the innovative flair seen in the projects.
Describing Oborevwori as a man of vision and progress, Umahi said, “he (Oborevwori) has a very large heart and a very progressive mind. No wonder he is with us now. So, I commend him very highly.”
Earlier, during a visit to the Warri-Benin-Asaba Road, Umahi expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Effurun-Sapele section and urged the contractors to increase their speed to meet the project deadlines.
“Timely completion is crucial, and I expect all contractors to work diligently towards achieving this goal”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership and ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government.
He commended the Federal Government for the 17.6km access road from the Second Niger Bridge linking Delta State, and the proposed concrete rehabilitation of the four-lane, 5km road from Summit Junction to the bridgehead.
Emu emphasized that the economic impact of these projects, once completed, cannot be overstated, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their commitment to delivering them.
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