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Eid-el-Kabir: FEC, VC, Sultan, Others Seek National Unity
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has felicitated Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
FEC urged Muslims to continue to promote national unity in order to enhance growth and development in all sectors of the country’s economy.
It made this known via a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, last Sunday.
The statement read: “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) felicitates with the Muslim faithful on the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“It urges the adherents to use this opportunity to continue to reflect on its lessons which include love, obedience, sacrifice and compassion among others.
“FEC, therefore, implores believers to continue to promote national unity, peaceful co-existence for stability in order to enhance growth and development in all sectors of the nation’s economy.
“It wishes Nigerians a happy and successful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill, also felicitated with the Muslim community on the occasion of the 1443 AH Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In a goodwill message he personally signed in Port Harcourt, Georgewill said, “We heartily felicitate with all Muslim faithful in the University of Port Harcourt and beyond.
“As we mark this year’s festival, we would like to reiterate the significance of Sallah which is obedience to the Almighty God and sacrifice for the good of one another. We pray that these virtues are sustained during and after the festivity.
“May this celebration bring about a renewed faith, love, understanding and good neighbourliness amongst ourselves and humanity at large.
“Equally, let me use the period to thank staff and students, and indeed, the entire university community for the wonderful support this administration has enjoyed since assumption of office in July, 2021, and to reassure you all of my commitment to make a more prosperous UNIPORT by the grace of God.
“Finally, we wish to use this medium to call on all Nigerians to come together, irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political differences to contribute our own quota to the development of this country, I have no doubt that Nigeria will be the envy of other nations if we do so.
“On behalf of the University Management, I wish you all a wonderful celebration”, the VC said.
Also, the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and sacrifices among one another.
Abubakar, who made the assertion in his Sallah message to Nigerians in Sokoto said, Muslims should hold on to the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir.
“We should continue to thank the Almighty Allah for His blessings and gift of life to celebrate this great moment.
“The security challenges we are facing in our country has continue to remain a source of concern and worrisome.
“As such we should use this period of worship to pray for our leaders, security agencies and the nation to prosper.
“Moreover, as leaders we will not get tired of calling on the citizens to continue to pray for our country, therefore, we should sustain more prayers for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
“Our security agencies should always be appreciated and encourage for the sustained effort and commitment to address our current situation,” he said.
The Sultan further called on Muslim Ummah in the country to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect leaders of their desire.
“Our PVC is the only weapon we have to elect leaders we desire, as such I urged on all Muslim who are eligible to get their voter cards to be able to vote the leaders we deserve in the country,” he said.
He appealed to politicians to be fair to Allah, and ensure peaceful electioneering processes in the country.
Abubakar appreciated the Sokoto State Government for its sustained support to the needy and vulnerable in the society.
He also appreciated security agencies for their dedication in addressing security challenges in the country.
Also reacting, the national leadership of both the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) congratulated Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid Muburak celebration.
Their statements were signed by the NAWOJ National President, Ladi Bala; and NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, in Abuja, last Saturday.
In her statement, Bala said, “While thanking God for the spiritual ceremony, NAWOJ appeals to Nigerians especially Muslims to imbibe the lessons of generosity in love, sacrifice and kindness as demonstrated by Prophet Mohammed (PBH).
“The association notes that Nigeria at this critical point more than ever before, needs divine intervention to overcome most of the challenges confronting and threatening its existence and unity.
“It is, therefore, important for Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration to pray to God concerning most of the national issues for a peaceful and United Nigeria.
“NAWOJ notes with concern the neglect of family values by many parents for the pursuit of wealth, hence the unacceptable negative behaviours in some children.
“NAWOJ, therefore, appeal to parents particularly mothers to pay more attention to their children and wards by instilling the needed and proper values and fear of God in them for a better Nigeria.
“The association equally pray God to release the blessings of Eid Muburak upon all our Muslim Ummah and lead Nigeria to a peaceful and successful 2023 General Election”.
In his Salah message, Isiguzo said, “The National Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists extends its warmest wishes to all Muslims in the country on this solemn festival of Eid.
“We pray that the blessings of Almighty Allah will fill your lives with peace, joy and good health. Barka Da Sallah!
“We advise all Muslim faithful to act upon the commandments of Allah, and also about the duties they have to perform to become good Muslims.
“At these hard times, we urge all Muslims to imbibe the lessons of Eid-Al-Adha celebrations which encourage them to forgive, give, share and care for one another.
“Just like Prophet Ibrahim did, when he believed God, took control of his life, and guaranteed his heart desires; same way if we can trust God Almighty, He is going to take care of us.
“While encouraging cohesion and peaceful coexistence, we should all remember that Islam appreciates diversity in the society, and thus, the need for respect and tolerance among Muslims and between Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“We charge all Nigerians to learn the habit of doing good at all times to promote peaceful coexistence in the country”.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
