News
RVHA Writes UN, NASS Over Paris Club Refund, Flooding …Screens Two Commissioner-Nominees
Miffed over the exclusion of Rivers State from the Federal Government emergency funding for flood-prone states and the Paris Club refund, the state House of Assembly says it would petition the United Nations and the National Assembly over the matter.
The petition emanated from a motion raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule on the floor, yesterday, as the House deliberated on issues affecting the state.
The motion, however, was amended after debate by members, with a resolution to condemn the recall of the Paris Club refund and write the Federal Government to direct multinational companies operating in Ahoada-West to donate relief materials as part of their corporate social responsibility, among others.
The House held that there was need to cry out to the international community over deliberate plan of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to sideline Rivers State on its right to benefit from the government.
Against this backdrop, the legislators, in a unanimous vote, supported the plan to address an international press conference to let world leaders know what the state was suffering in the hands of the present Federal Government.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani cited the Constitution as amended in Chapter 2 while pinpointing subsections 14, 15 (4,5) as provisions in the law that flaw all actions of the Federal Government against the state.
He said, “It’s a sad commentary that the Federal Government cannot protect the people of Rivers State”.
The Speaker explained that since most parts of the state are riverine, the coastal states were prone to flooding hence special attention should be given to those areas.
The sorry state of the situation being faced by people in Ahoada-West and some parts of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas was painted by Hon. Nanaka Ogbokiri, Christian Ahiakwo and Nathaniel Uwaji.
Ogbokiri had earlier raised the motion seeking to compel multinationals to intervene in the situation, as Ahiakwo decried the exclusion of the state from the NEMA’s N3billion emergency fund.
In the words of Uwaji, “Virtually all the districts in Ndoni Kingdom are submerged. When I get back home, I feel bad because the flood does not know APC or PDP”.
The Speaker concluded that the House would not fail to do the needful, as he commended the governor for meeting up to the challenge of defending the state always.
He, however, called for urgent steps to salvage the situation, especially those being affected by the flooding.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has screened two commissioner-nominees, Dr. Zacheaus Adango and Dr. Leloonu NwibuBasah, while committing the Rivers State College of Health Technology and Management Bill 2018 to committee stage.
Both Adango and NwibuBasah were grilled by some of the lawmakers as others sought that they be recongised and allowed to go based on their profiles.
However, after few questions, the commissioner-nominees were allowed to go, but NwibuBasah assured that he was poised to make meaningful contribution and bring his experience to bear in his new position.
Earlier, the House passed the Rivers State College of Health Technology and Management Bill 2018 for second reading, and thereafter, referred it to committee stage.
The bill, which was formally an Executive Bill, was only withdrawn and re-introduced as private member bill by Hon. Michael Chinda of Obio/Akpor Constituency earlier this year.
In his submission, Chinda said the bill was overdue considering the current state of affairs in the institution.
The Obio/Akpor 11 Constituency legislator said the school has over the years lost so much compared to other colleges of similar status, as both staff and students do not enjoy grants, scholarships and support from the Tertiary Education Fund (TEF).
If the bill is passed, Chinda maintained, the remuneration and staff welfare, including retirement benefits, would be upgraded.
The Speaker while commending the efforts of Chinda and other House members towards upgrading the school, relied on the House Order, as it committed the bill to Committee Stage.
In his ruling, Ibani directed that the House Committee on Education to conduct a public hearing within 14 working days, stressing that most part of the bill was on education.
The committee is expected to submit its report after the public hearing for more deliberations by the House.
Kevin Nengia & Idaminabo Shammah
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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