News
Ozekhome, Sani Differ On Buhari’s Performance Claims
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mike Ozekhome; and a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani; yesterday, disagreed over claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that his stewardship has brought about improvement in various sectors of the economy in the past six and a half years.
The president had recently stated in Paris at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum (NIPF) that his administration has succeeded in revitalising the nation’s economy, built infrastructure and uplifted the living standards of Nigerians since he assumed power in 2015; a claim dismissed by the legal luminary, who in a chat with newsmen, described the state of affairs in the land as hopeless.
According to Ozekhome, the performance claims “must be in President Buhari’s dream utopian world of fantasy, make-belief and ‘Ali Baba’s’ tales-by-the-moonlight. It is certainly not the Nigeria I live and work in. There exist grinding poverty, abject penury, dismay, hunger, thirst, helplessness and hopelessness.”
The human rights activist further noted that compared with the successive administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); incumbent government fared poorly, stressing that it made Nigerians poorer than they were before 2015.
He added: “Poverty has never been so grinding. Inflation has never been so high. Governance has never been so opaque. Corruption has never been so monumental. Insecurity has never been so ravaging. The economy has never been so parlous and recessionary. Innocent blood has never been so wantonly spilled. Nigerians are currently living in dire horrific circumstances of pains, pangs, sorrow, tears and blood. 2015 look like an Eldorado. And the president is saying he has performed? This is the surest proof that President Buhari’s legendary disconnect with the people he presumably governs has reached unmanageable proportions.”
However, Sani, immediate past secretary general of the ACF said, Buhari deserves some credit for the great work he has done so far.
“I believe that the regime has contributed to the socio-economic development of the country with the resources at its disposal. Whether the progress made by the regime is good enough is for the people to pass judgement after diligent use of trend analyses of the progress made.
“This is very necessary because the good things of life are not inevitable but are attained through ceaseless hard work by both leaders and the citizens. The task of nation building is a continuous process. That is why challenges of nation building would always arise and the work of government is to confront them as they arise. That may explain why Jesus Christ could say ‘the poor would always be with you.’ Surely, the poor would always be with us but they would not be around and keep quiet. The poor are never docile,” Sani noted.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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