News
Kidnapped Expatriates In Andoni Regain Freedom …RSHA Plans Laws To End Kidnapping, Rape, Female Circumcision
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the release of the three Lebanese recently abducted by unknown gunmen along the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road.
The expatriates are staff of Raffaul Construction Company Nigeria Limited, which is handling the construction of the multi-billion Naira road, linking the ancient city of Opobo and Andoni to the other local governments and the state capital by road for the first time in history.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed this to The Tide in a text message in response to an enquiry.
Sources within Andoni, however, informed The Tide that the Lebanese were seen in the early hours of yesterday at the very spot where they were kidnapped almost two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the Andoni Youth Coalition (AYC) has praised the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his support towards the timely release of the kidnapped expatriates.
The National President of the coalition, Hon. Amon Ijong-Ama, who said this in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, yesterday, also commended the governor for not carrying out the threat to dethrone recognised Andoni traditional rulers or discontinue work on the Andoni section of the Unity Road.
He said that Andoni youths were happy over the development, stressing that the youths would cooperate with the government to ensure that contractors were not harassed by criminal elements in the area.
The youth leader also stressed the need for the state government to work with the traditional institution with a view to setting up vigilantes in the area.
He also advised criminal elements to leave Andoni in their own interest.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced deliberations to enact laws that would eliminate female circumcision, kidnapping and rape in the state.
The bills include, Rivers State Female Circumcision Abolition Amendment Bill 2019, Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2019, and the Rivers State Dehumanising and Harmful Practices Abolition Amendment Bill 2019.
The bill to end female circumcision, and violent against persons were private member bills presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule of Obio/Akpor State Constituency, while that of dehumanising and harmful practices was initiated by Hon. Sam Ogeh of Emohua State Constituency.
In his submission, Amaewhule said the bill against female circumcision was intended to amend the Female Circumcision Abolition Law of 2001.
Throwing more light on the bills, Amaewhule noted that female circumcision or anyone engaging in the act would be liable to three years in prison, if convicted.
On his part, Ogeh submitted that the Rivers State Dehumanising and Harmful Practices Abolition Amendment Bill 2019 would repeal the principal law of 2003.
The bill provides that any person who commits, harm, carries out violence against a fellow citizen such as rape, shall be liable to five years imprisonment.
Any person who dehumanises anybody through the unleashing of deadly weapon, substance or object commits an offence liable to five years imprisonment, or a fine of N500, 000.
In addition, any person, who instills fear leading to physical injury, commits an offence, and if convicted, shall serve five years imprisonment or pay a fine of N200,000.
Thus, any person, who aids or counsels another person to commit the offence, would also be liable to one year imprisonment or pay a fine of N200,000.
John Bibor, Kevin Nengia & Lady Ogbulu
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
-
News4 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
Politics1 day ago
Alleged Tax Law Changes Risk Eroding Public Trust — CISLAC
-
Maritime1 day agoImo Category C Victory: NIMASA Staff Host Executive Management Party
-
Politics1 day ago
DEFECTION: FUBARA HAS ENDED SPECULATIONS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE — NWOGU
-
Politics1 day ago
HILDA DOKUBO ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP, DENIES FACTIONS IN RIVERS LP
-
Maritime1 day agoStakeholders Advocate Legal Framework For NSW Project
-
Sports1 day ago
New Four Yr Calendar For AFCON
-
Rivers1 day ago
Group Urges LGA Chairmen To Prioritise Accountability, People-Centred Governance
