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Coalition Bemoans High Unemployment Rate In Nigeria

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The Civil Society Coalition On Economic Growth and Employment in Rivers State has expressed concerns over the high unemployment rate in the country, and advised government at all levels to put measures in place to address the problem.
The coalition, which made its position known while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said going by the report of the National Bureau of Stastics (NBS), Nigeria has a national unemployment rate of 33.3 percent and under-employment rate of 22.8 percent while the youth population has 42.5 percent unemployment rate and 21 percent under-employment rate.
These national figures, according to the coalition, speak to the fact that the right policies have not been put in place at the national level and sub-national levels to strengthen economic growth that should lead to the creation of jobs and employment across boards.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, Deborah Effiong of Arise for Gender and Livelihood Initiative (ALIVE), said Nigeria’s unemployment rate has quadrupled over the last six and seven years, as the country has gone through two recessions and a global pandemic that saw to the crippling of economic activities.
She said further that Nigeria will need to create five million jobs annually for the next 10years to cover its unemployment gap, according to the International Monetary Fund(IMF).
Effiong expressed worry that the NBS report states that Rivers State has a labour force of 3, 921, 860 while a total number of the unemployed was put at 1, 714, 189, ranking second behind Lagos State in the second quarter of 2020.
Against this backdrop, the coalition advised the state government to give priority attention to human capital development, job creation, entrepreneurial and economic activities.
“ There is need to address the high rate of unemployment in Rivers State as an opportunity to understand the drivers of unemployment in the state, identify the key sectors that can absorb a high number of the readily available labour force and revitalise the economy of the state by creating jobs through economic activities in the state, through people-centred policies,’’ the coalition said.
It further called on the state government to adopt a more effective approach towards the reduction of crime, insecurity and illegal oil bunkering through the creation of jobs that can absorb the teeming youths pulled into these criminal enterprises.
The coalition also advised the government to create a business enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through grants and loans, and recommended that the candidates of political parties in the run-up to the 2023 governorship election should prioritise economic growth and job creation as part of their policy framework for the administration of the state in the coming years.
The Civil Society Coalition On Economic Growth and Employment in Rivers State is a coalition of Civil Society groups, the academia, youth groups, women rights organisations and community groups that have coalesced with the sole purpose of addressing and highlighting the issue of economic growth and employment in the state.
Among other top officers of the coalition at the event included Inyingi Irimagha of Gender and Development Action (GADA); Akeodi Allswell Ali of Feel Rivers Media Network (FR News); Raisa Senibo of Borikiri Community Advocacy Group; and Amb Vincent Gbosi of Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protection (CESJERP).

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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