Politics
Andoni Chairman Tasks Councillors On Capacity Dev
A two-day capacity development programme organised for members of Andoni Legislative Assembly ended over the weekend with the council chairman urging the trainees to imbibe knowledge that would enable them discharge their legislative duties effectively.
The chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Bar Erastus Awortu gave the advice while declaring the programme opened in Port Harcourt last Friday.
The workshop with the theme ”Strengthening the Legislative Institutional Framework for Effective Service Delivery in Andoni Local Government Area” was aimed at enhancing the individual and collective performance of the councilors as well as motivating them to be resourceful, creative and innovative while discharging their duties as elected representatives of the people.
According to the council chairman, “the training is apt, very crucial and timely, given the sorry state of affairs of our Local Government Area which we inherited and the urgent need to right the many wrongs of Andoni to herald a turnaround and a watershed moment in our dear Local Government Area.
“Your role as councillors of the Legislative Arm is critical because you serve as Vanguards of the people and their common interest. The essence of this training is to enable you understand your role as councillors, to impart legislative knowledge and skills in you, build your legislative capacity and competencies, improve your efficiency and enhance your performance individually and collectively as a Legislative Assembly.
“The objective of the training is also to motivate you to be creative and innovative as elected representatives of the people from the 11 Wards of Andoni Local Government so that you can make valuable contribution for the good governance of the people”.
The council boss expressed optimism that the training would educate the lawmakers on the rudiment and basics of legislation at the grassroots and and as well enlighten the councillors on the strategies of strengthening the relationship between the Council Executive and the Legislative Assembly with a view to reducing friction between the two arms of government.
He also expressed hope that the Training will deepening the legislative knowledge in line with legislative best practices and in consistent with the Local Government Laws of Rivers State and the 1999 Constitution as amended which the grundnorm”.
Awortu said the Councillors would through the workshop gained the requisite legislative knowledge to make good bye-laws and contribute positively to the implementation of the policies and programmes of his government for the general good of the people of Andoni.
He urged the Councillors to galvanize and synchronize their energies towards the pursuit of the good of the people while shunning partisanship and divisive tendencies capable of truncating collective efforts at rebuilding Andoni Local Government and changing its ugly narrative.
Awortu further stressed the need for the lawmakers and the Staff of the Council to equip themselves with the necessary modern day skills of Local Government Administration devoid of lack of commitment to work, nonchalant attitude, lukewarmness and unnecessary bureaucracy and red-tapism.
The Council Boss also charged them to take the advantage of the training to inculcate Discipline, Integrity, Honesty, Diligence and Responsiveness, which are the core values of leadership in them.
On his part, the Facilitator, Mr. Solomon Seiyefa said the training is an orientation workshop targeted at strengthening democratic traditions at the Local Government level and equip the Councillors and Support Staff core values on how to enhance their proficiency on the job.
He said it is expected that at the end of the training the Councillors would know the purpose of their election and discharge their role dutifully and diligently.
“The overview of the training is that we intend to achieve a good working relationship between the Executive, the Councillors and Support Staff of the Council. There is a link between them, their functions are interwoven, none can operate in isolation.
“The Local Government cannot be effectively administered without a synergy and harmoniously working relationship between Executive, Staff of the Council and the Legislative Arm.
“Without a good Legislature the Executive cannot function, the Council Chairman needs the Councllors to enact functional bye-laws, to enact acceptable bye-laws, the Councillors also need the Executive to function efficiently. Also, without the Support Staff the Legislative Arm cannot make bye-laws and without the Legislative Arm the Support Staff cannot function effectively.
“So this training is also aimed at bridging the gap of misunderstanding between the Councillors and the Support Staff of the Andoni Local Government” he said.
The Leader of the Andoni Legislative Assembly Sheila Jacob Nte who spoke to newsmen at the training commended the Council Chairman for the initiative. She said they are now well enlightened on their role as Councillors and adequately equipped with the basic legislative skills of lawmaking at the third tier of Government.
She promised that the knowledge acquired in the training would be put to good use in their day-to-day legislative business.
Also, the Councillor representing Ward 5 Andoni Gogo Ikuru who described the training as the first of its kind said they are better equipped to deliver on their mandate as elected representatives of the people. He thanked the Council Chairman for developing their legislative capacity on the job.
The package of the 2-day Training for the Councillors and Support Staff of Andoni Local Government Council includes:
– An overview of the Local Government System in Nigeria: Creation, Structure and Function.
– The Role and functions of the Local Government Legislative Assembly under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, and the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, as amended.
– The Conduct of Business in a Legislative Chamber: Ethics, Rules and Procedures.
– The Role of Support Staff in Legislative Process.
– The Role of Bureaucracy and Legislative Aides in the Legislature.
– Budgeting and Budgetary Process in Local Government Council.
– The Role of the Legislative Assembly in advancing accountability and good governance in Local Government Administration.
By: Enoch Epelle
Alhaji Abubakar made the pledge on Wednesday during the launch of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, where he called on Nigerians to unite behind his ambition to rescue the country.
In a statement posted on his X handle, the former Vice-President said Nigerians were increasingly frustrated by hunger, insecurity and unfulfilled political promises, insisting that his campaign would offer a clear plan to address the nation’s challenges.
Expressing gratitude for the reception accorded him in Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar described the state as a historic centre of faith, scholarship and leadership.
“Sokoto, I am here! I am deeply grateful for the rousing welcome as I formally launch my campaign for the presidency from this historic seat of faith, scholarship, and leadership,” he said.
He promised to end insecurity across the country, restore hope to young Nigerians and make the country affordable for citizens.
“Nigerians are tired of hunger, fear, and broken promises. Today, they have a choice, a plan, and a leader ready to deliver. I will end the insecurity that haunts our communities, restore hope to our young people, and make Nigeria affordable again,” Alhaji Abubakar stated.
Describing the Sokoto event as the beginning of a broader campaign to reclaim the country’s fortunes, he urged supporters to remain united and committed to his presidential bid.
“The journey to rescue Nigeria begins here. Together, we will win,” he added.
Mr Dike made the call while speaking with newsmen ahead of tomorrow’s event scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
He said the rally would provide an opportunity for political stakeholders and residents of the State to reflect on the Federal Government’s development initiatives, infrastructure investments and recognition of Rivers sons and daughters under President Tinubu’s administration.
The publicity subcommittee member noted that the appointment of Ambassador Desmond Akawor as Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was among the significant federal appointments benefiting the State.
He also cited the appointment of Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as Chief Tony Okocha as Rivers State representative on the Commission’s Governing Board.
According to him, other Rivers political stakeholders appointed into federal institutions include Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, and Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
Mr Dike further noted that the reported disclosure by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State had secured no fewer than 49 federal appointments under the Tinubu administration, reflected the level of federal representation enjoyed by the state.
On infrastructure, he described the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road, which was temporarily opened to public use in December 2025, as a major intervention capable of transforming transportation and economic activities in the State.
He said the road had provided a direct land connection between Bonny Island and the mainland, reducing the historic dependence of residents on water transportation and helicopter services.
The campaign publicity official also highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention on the East-West Road, particularly the Eleme Junction-Port Harcourt-Ahoada and Eleme Junction-Onne Port sections, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which he said would improve connectivity and economic opportunities across the Niger Delta.
Mr Dike further identified the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni local government areas, alongside the Bonny Ring Road and Bridges project being undertaken by the NDDC in partnership with NLNG, as important regional infrastructure initiatives.
He maintained that the projects and federal appointments had placed Rivers State in a strategic position within the national development agenda, urging residents to assess the benefits and support continued investment in the State.
The Ikwerre born politician and public affairs analyst called on party faithful, political leaders, youths, women and other residents to participate actively in the November 7 gathering, expressing optimism that the rally would further strengthen support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
King Onunwor
King Eke made the clarification during the council’s monthly general meeting, convened at the instance of Eze Temple Ejekwu , Nye Nwe Eli Rumuogba, at Rumuogba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The revered monarch explained that the decision was informed by the need for traditional rulers to preserve their revered positions as fathers of their respective communities, stressing that partisan political affiliations should not undermine their traditional responsibilities.
He maintained that political neutrality among members of the council was non-negotiable, noting that monarchs must remain above partisan divisions to provide balanced leadership, promote unity and sustain peaceful coexistence among their subjects.
He said the council was determined to entrench this principle of neutrality in its engagements, adding that traditional rulers must be seen as unifying forces rather than actors in the political divisions that often characterise electoral contests.
To strengthen the arrangement, the Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom disclosed that Eze Temple Ejekwu had been assigned the responsibility of coordinating political activities involving the monarchs, a development he said would ensure balance, proper organisation and respect for the council’s collective position.
The monarch, however, clarified that the council’s apolitical disposition should not be misconstrued as a withdrawal of support for qualified sons and daughters of Evo Kingdom who aspire to occupy elective positions at both the State and National levels.
He stressed that the traditional institution would continue to identify with the legitimate political aspirations of its people, irrespective of political platforms, provided such aspirations were pursued peacefully and in the overall interest of the kingdom.
Specifically, the monarch assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Leslie Ejekwu, who already has his blessings, of the support of Woji, his immediate community, as well as the 33 Evo communities under his traditional leadership.
”Leslie Ejekwu, Esq., will do well given his experience at the Local Government Council as the Legal Adviser and other sundry areas within the political arena”, he said.
He noted that the assurance was consistent with the council’s commitment to the progress and political advancement of Evo sons and daughters, adding that the traditional institution would continue to encourage its people to participate actively in democratic processes without compromising its neutrality.
The Evo monarch also used the occasion to caution politicians and their supporters against violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections, describing the resort to intimidation, destruction and political hostility as an outdated approach to democratic competition.
According to him, the era when political victories were pursued through violence should give way to issue-based campaigns, intellectual capacity, constructive engagements and demonstrable leadership skills, stressing that ideas and competence should take centre stage in the nation’s political development.
King Onunwor
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