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Akawor, AKULGA Boss Extol Virtues Of New Rivers Commissioners

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The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has congratulated the three newly sworn-in commissioners as members of the State Executive Council, saying that their appointment could not have come without consideration of their loyalty to the party as men of honour, courage, integrity and commitment to the state.
Akawor said this while reacting to the swearing-in of the new commissioners by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
A statement personally signed by the chairman, said, “It is my utmost pleasure to witness the swearing in of the commissioners, carried out today (Friday) by our hardworking Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, of notable personalities such as; Barrister Zacchaeus Adangor, who was returned as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General; as well as Hon. Isaac Kamalu, who was returned as Commissioner for Finance; and Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, who was sworn in as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“Certainly, your willingness to volunteer your time and effort, as well as express your opinions, has contributed to your being selected for the positions.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is known to bring in consummate professionals with unparalleled expertise, to head ministries that will drive the state to excellent heights. It is on that premise that you were sworn in, to join in driving the NEW Rivers Vision to success.
“We trust that you will continue to work for improved Rivers State and consolidate on the dynamic strides of our project delivering governor who has outworked his contemporaries.
“On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, I congratulate you all. Please, be aware that you have our full support. We wish you all the best as you represent the state and do it exceptionally.
“In the words of Patrick Suskind, ‘Talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything’.
“You all are not just known to be talented which is borne out of visible experience that has transformed the state in your various field vested in you, but you do so with so much humility and hard work that has distinguished you and made you all deserving of such recognition, just as the governor said in his speech today. You have worked with unalloyed loyalty and keen dedication to the state and our governor, you deserve the honour of being returned to continue from where you stopped.
“Once more, I congratulate you all as you assume your offices”, Akawor said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, described “the appointment of Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George-Kelly as deserving of a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman”, saying that “with his wealth of technical knowledge on project delivery and construction management, Rivers State is on the verge of experiencing yet another phase of infrastructural boom”.
George said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, John Paul Braide, in Buguma City, last Saturday, to congratulate Dr. Dax George-Kelly on his appointment as Rivers State Commissioner for Works and Special Projects by Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ASALGA council boss said, “On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, I congratulate a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman, a leading light of this generation, a core professional and an illustrious ASALGAN, Dr. Dax George-Kelly on your appointment as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects”.
According to George, “the sterling contributions of Dr. George-Kelly to the infrastructural development of the state while serving as Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects and Head, Bureau of Special Projects, was legendary and worthy of commendation”.
He, however, noted that Dr. George-Kelly’s doggedness, commitment, steadfastness and strong skills on project delivery, earned him this laudable and milestone achievement as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“The birth of great men is heralded by great events and is usually for a mission. Your coming to manage the entire construction spectrum in Rivers State at this time is, indeed, for a purpose, adding that Rivers people can attest to your doggedness, commitment and steadfastness in managing the infrastructural development masterpiece in the state as reflected in the monumental achievements recorded under your leadership as Head, Bureau of Special Projects.
“Our shoulders are high knowing that a worthy son of ASALGA is strategically appointed by our dear governor to contribute technical expertise towards revamping the infrastructural architecture of the New Rivers State”, the statement said.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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