Assembly Swears In New Member , Moves To Revive Local Languages

Proceedings at the Assembly last week included a plenary last Tuesday which witnessed the swearing in of Hon. Tekena Wellington representing Asari-Toru State Constituency 1.
This followed the Appeal Court judgment that sacked the Social Democratic Party’s candidate, Ipalibo George after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared George winner of the poll.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi -Owaji Ibani who swore in Wellington noted that the Assembly was a law-abiding institution that would not violate the valid orders of a court on the rightful winner of the poll
Speaking after the swearing in, the new Assembly member said his focus would be youth empowerment, while he expressed regret over the role of some indigenous youths and security forces in the attempted electoral fraud.
Shortly after, party loyalists from Asari-Toru Local Government Area, including the Council Chairman, Mr. Odiari Princewill were in the Assembly in solidarity with the newly sworn in member, on the same day during plenary.
Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly received a petition by Ogu Youth Council expressing their grievance over supposed maltreatment by oil multinationals operating in the community.
The petition which was raised by the Emohua Constituency lawmaker, Hon. Samuel Ogeh questioned the basis behind the non-recognition of Ogu Town as host Community to several oil multinationals operating in the area.
Ogeh said the people demanded that the House should mandate the oil companies to open discussion with them in respect of their Corporate Social Responsibilities to their community.
Also within the period in review, the Rivers State House of Assembly mandated its Committee on Education to summon the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and the ministry’s Directors over the Rivers State Indigenous Language Education Law of 2003.
This followed a motion of urgent importance jointly sponsored by member representing Ikwerre State Constituency, Hon. Amselm Oguguo and Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule of Obio/Akpor Constituency 1, prompting the lawmakers to seek answers why the law was not in operation.
This followed what they described as the drift to extinction of Rivers indigenous languages.
On his part, the Speaker charged the House Committee on Education to intervene and report to the house within 14 days.