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Be Apostle Of PVC Registration, Fubara Tells GDI As Group Takes Sensitisation To Ikwerre

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 elections in Rivers Stare, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, has harped on the importance of the Permanent Voters’ Card registration exercise, calling on those who were yet to register and collect theirs, to do so without delay.
The governorship candidate said this at the PVC sensitisation programme, organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI), in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Sunday.
The event, which took place at St. Anthony’s Primary School, Igwuruta, attracted hundreds of members of the organisation from across the state, and featured ward-by-ward gyration and solidarity speeches by stakeholders of Ikwerre Local Government Area and the Senatorial candidate of Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief Allwell Onyesoh.
Fubara, who clarified that the event was not for campaign purposes, noted that it was to sensitise the people of Ikwerre on the need to register and obtain their PVC.
“We are not here for campaigns. The reason why we are here is to encourage our people, members of GDI to preach to more people, encourage them to go and get their PVC. That is why we are here. We are not here to talk about election. We are not here to talk about party. GDI is a pressure group it is not a political party so the purpose of our gathering this afternoon is to tell us the reason why we should encourage our wards, people to increase their drive for PVC “.
Fubara encouraged everyone to be patient and wait for the time of campaign when he will speak as someone who has come for campaigns.
The PDP standard bearer advised those who have any issue with their PVC to go and rectify them.
“What you have to do now is to make sure that those your PVCs that are not working, make them functional. In fact, turn yourself into Jehovah’sWitness of PVC by going from house-to-house preaching about PVC. It is not about who you want to vote for: Take note; that is not why we are here”.
Fubara, who described GDI as a member of the family and the soul of the state, hinted that every other group sprang up from GDI, explaining that this was the reason why they decided to start the PVC sensitisation programme with the GDI.
He urged the people of Ikwerre to continue to support Governor Nyesom Wike, pray for him for strength, direction and success.
The PDP Gubernatorial candidate also thanked the people of Ikwerre for turning out in their numbers for the sensitisation programme and God for the success of the programme.
This position was also canvassed by other speakers at the event.
In his speech, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Amb. Desmond Akawor called on the people of Ikwerre to mobilise to participate actively in the forthcoming elections, urging them to see the 2023 elections as a duty they owe the state and generations of Rivers people yet unborn.
He charged all those who have clocked 18 years and above to register to vote and see the exercise as a responsibility they owe to posterity to help shape the course of democracy and good governance in the state.
Speaking, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, emphasised that a leader must live by example.
While speaking directly to Fubara, Nwanosike, who is the general secretary of Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) said, “Sir, we want to tell you here a leader must live by example. I have my PVC card with me here. I will not just talk of my own, I will vote, so my wife will vote, my brothers and sisters will vote, my chiefs will vote, my followers will vote, non-indigenes will vote, all the 13 political wards of Ikwerre will vote. Ikwerre is PDP”.
While saying that the process of voting Sir Siminialayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State has just kick-started, Nwanosike assured that those who were yet to collect their PVCs from INEC office would do so because of the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate’s appearance in Ikwerre LGA.
He said, “Today, you have just told us that the job has started. Seeing you in Ikwerre Local Government Area, today, the remaining PVCs in INEC that have not been collected will be collected”.
Nwanosike stated that GDI would ensure that eligible voters across the 319 wards of Rivers State register for voter’s card, collect it and cast their votes for PDP in all the elections come 2023.
Others who spoke to galvanise public awareness and desire to participate in elections were President General of GDI, Chief Bright Amaewhule; GDI Coordinator in Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Charles Wobodo; PDP Chairman in Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Dennis Amadi; Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom; Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Barrister George Ariolu; Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinye-Owaji Ibani; Rivers East Senatorial District PDP Candidate, Chief Allwell Onyeso; Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency PDP Candidate, Barrister Boniface Emerengwa; and Ikwerre State Constituency PDP Candidate, Hon. Prince Lemchi Nyeche.
The Deputy Governorship Candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Edison Ihie; Deputy PDP Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; PDP State Secretary, Dr Benibo George; the chairmen of Ahoada East, Ben Eke; Akuku-Toru, Hon. Roland Sekibo; Andoni, Barrister Erastus Awortu; and Etche, Hon. Obinna Anyanwu; also reminded the people of the area, and particularly GDI members, to sustain the momentum, and encourage grassroots dwellers to register, and vote candidates of their choice during the elections.

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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