The Vice Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, in Rivers State, Hon. Virtue Ekee, has urged eligible women to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and keep them safe.
Noting that the importance of PVC cannot be over- emphasised, she said PVC was their power to vote credible candidates come 2023.
Ekee, who stated this during the just-concluded Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) voters sensitisation exercise and mobilisation at Nchia Comprehensive School, at the weekend, said that she was impressed with the large turn out of women, youths and entire members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the LGA.
Women, she said, were ready to participate fully in the next election and to vote all PDP candidates.
“To my knowledge, all eligible voters in my Ward have their PVCs, because that is the power to vote out bad leaders.
“As I speak, there are indications that women in Rivers State are prepared to vote for PDP governorship flagbearer, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu.
“The women are happy because in Governor Nyesom Wike’s adminstration, women have benefitted more than previous once, hence, the time to reciprocate such gesture through the ballot box is now,” Ekee said.
The Vice Chaiman advised women to defend their votes, after voting, saying that they should ensure that their votes are counted before they leave the polling unit.
She used the forum to thank the Chairman of the local government area, Hon Ollor Obarilomate, for his grassroots empowerment programmes for the women.

By: Tonye Orabere

The Headteacher of Excel Education Center, Mr Roland Ameh has reiterated the need for parents to go extra mile in catering for the security of their children during this long vacation holidays.
The Headteacher made this known during the 2021/2022 end of academic year and graduation ceremony of the school, Saturday at the school premises, Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt.
Ameh said the call has become necessary due to the security situation of the country, stressing that, “parents should not be unserious over the safety of their children and should not leave their children in the hands of neighbors.
He noted that many children have faced serious dangers in the hands of neighbors, adding that the country is facing security crisis.
Ameh also advised parents to take advantage of holiday classes to keep their children busy and put them ahead of others in the next academic year, adding that parents should try to reduce September school burden by paying some parts of the school fees.
Earlier, the principal of the secondary session, Mr. Michaelson Madubuike, said that, “the core value of Excel cuts across academic, ethical, moral and spiritual development of their future leaders. Is
“We will therefore encourage parents to support the school management and also closely monitor their children’s behavior at all times so as to detect very early negative influence as a result of peer pressure.
The principal noted that Excel will continue to educate and equip her students for maximum excellent performance, adding that the 2022/2023 academic session will start, Monday September 12th 2022.
Speaking during an interview shortly after the programme, the Chairman of Parents, Teachers Association, Mr. Obinna Azubuike, said the school has continued to maintain an admirable standard, adding that their products do well in their various professions.
Azubuike called on the graduating students to ensure that they go out there and continue to shine as lights, adding, “l recommend Excel to parents who loves value and high academic standard.
In her contribution, Mrs Ifeoma Ajaduruonye, the Chairman of the planning committee said the school is proud of her products who have distinguished themselves in every aspect of life.
Ajaduruonye appreciated her colleagues whose cooperation was responsible for the success of the programme.
The Senior Prefect of the school, Miss Chisom Chuku, who is the best Art student said, “Excel thought me how to be bold, strong and face circumstance with positive mindset”.

By: Lilian Peters

The Rivers State Government says the ongoing revalidation exercise of youths organisations is basically to check duplication of youth bodies in the State.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Roland Obed Whyte, who stated this during the inauguration of Rumuibekwe Youths Assembly in Port Harcourt, noted that the aim was also to have unified youth bodies in the State.
He noted that the state government led by Chief Nyesom Wike is passionate about the development and future of the youths, hence, the government, through the ministry, initiated registration and revalidation of youth bodies in the State to check the incessant crisis that is common within the ranks of various youth organisations.
He commended the Rumuibekwe Youths Assembly for complying with the Government’s revalidation exercise, adding that the body had successfully undergone the requisite steps for revalidation.
Whyte expressed regrets that the process of conducting election in the community would have gone on seamlessly if not for the undue interference of some traditional rulers in the affairs of the youth body, warning that the ministry cannot be influenced.
Assuring that the ministry will continue to carry out its primary objective and mandate to unify the youths and ensure that the future of the youths is secure, he said the ministry does not work in isolation, adding that they work in close collaboration with the local government councils and traditional rulers.
The permanent secretary said the revalidation exercise was also to ensure that all the youth bodies in the State were captured in the database of the ministry and not just for the conduct of the youth organisations’ elections.
Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. George Ariolu, who was represented by the Supervisor for Youth and Sports in the Council, Hon Newman Ogbonda, sued for peace among youths and all warring factions in the community, stressing that as leaders, they must conduct themselves in a peaceful manner at all times for the progress of Rumuibekwe.
Responding, the President of Rumuibekwe Youths Assembly, Samuel Ejekwu Ibeneme, commended the Ministry for its timely intervention, assuring that the Youths have resolves to maintain the already existing peace in the community.
Ibeneme said the youths of Rumubekwe are peaceful and law abiding and vowed to restore unity, togetherness and onesness among young people in the community.

By: Ike Wigodo