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Place Rivers First, Wike Tells Labour Leaders …Commissions Ultra-Modern Rivers NLC Secretariat

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the leadership of labour in the state to always place the interest of Rivers State above other considerations in their engagements with the state government.
Wike also announced that the forthcoming employment of teachers would be based on merit as applicants would be expected to write examination.
He spoke before commissioning the Secretariat of the Rivers Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The governor said: “For me, Rivers first before any other thing. Before you go on strike or declare any dispute with the Rivers State Government, look through and check what the implications would be for Rivers State.
“We need teachers. But the employment of teachers will be based on examination. It will be based on merit. The permanent secretary, Ministry of Education and the chairman of Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board have been directed to determine how many teachers are needed before a consultant is engaged to conduct the examination”.
The governor stated that the principals involved in the collection of monies from students will be sanctioned.
He said the Rivers State Government would not tolerate any principal or administrator who contravenes the directive on the abolition of all forms of fees in state-owned schools.
Commenting on the secretariat, Wike said that his administration would continue to partner with labour for the development of Rivers State.
He said that the state government resolved to create enabling environment for labour leaders to work towards improving labour/government relations.
In his remarks, Chairman of NLC Rivers State, Comrade Beatrice Itubo commended the Rivers State governor for building the secretariat despite recent economic challenges.
She said that labour was committed to improving synergy with the state government for the development of the state.
Representative of the NLC President, Dr Comfort Okoh said the governor was the authentic leader who was needed at the national level to advance national growth.
In a project description, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Special Projects, Sunday Okere, said that the facility is a three-storey building with conference halls, offices, stores and multiple staircases.
In his reaction, the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Edison Ehie, said that workers owe it as a duty to reciprocate the gesture of the Governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, for building an edifice as the NLC House in the state.
Ehie gave the advice, last Wednesday, at the commissioning of the Nigerian Labour Congress Secretariat built by the Wike’s administration in Rivers State.
“The beneficiaries owe a duty to the government and people of Rivers State to ensure that the facility is secured and used for the purpose it was built by the state government.
“I advise them to ensure that the facility is maintained, that workers have unlimited access to the administrative issues carried out.
“They should ensure that they reciprocate the gesture of government by brunt transparent, up and doing in the discharge of their duties”, the deputy speaker said.
Ehie noted that the delivery of the edifice clearly showed the commitment and resolve of the governor to the welfare of workers in Rivers State and beyond.
The lawmaker stated that Wike made a promise to NLC to ensure that their edifice was built and given state-of-the-art touch, and commended the governor for fulfilling his promise to workers.
He said: “Today, we are here confirming the fulfilment of that promise of His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike.
“The labour congress has never had it this good across the country. The governor of Rivers State is a man who fulfils every promise made and appreciates the significance of NLC as a stakeholder in nation building”.
He further said that the gesture shows that the governor understands and respects the independence of the community of workers, and their freedom to operate under conducive environment.
The Deputy Speaker described Wike as a Governor who came for service, a man of his words and a governor who appreciates every sector and every stakeholder in the business of governance.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know the much more words needed to say, to understand that Nyesom Wike is a governor that CE for service.
“We are here to show a governor who is ready to listen to issues and engage where necessary. We are here to thank him specially for being a man of his words”.

 

Chris Oluoh

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Rivers Chief Judge Grants Six Inmates Pardon

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The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.

By: AkujobiAmadi

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‘Fubara’s Administration Is Driving Transparent Public Procurement’

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The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.

By: Kevin Nengia

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NAPPS’ 19th Anniversary: Education Stakeholders Task Govt On Assistance

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The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.

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