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2023: Get, Secure Your PVCs, Fubara Tells PHALGA Residents …As BFO Storms GDI Awareness Rally AKULGA PDP Strategises For 100% Victory

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Thousands of Port Harcourt residents, last Friday, trooped out to the Elekahia Primary School Field in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the sensitisation rally organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) to encourage eligible voters in the area to register and collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 elections.
The programme, which began with a rally/gyration session by the 20 wards in the area, was preceded by solidarity speeches delivered by political leaders and other stakeholders, including the state Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Amb Desmond Akawor, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
In his speech, Akawor, who said he had come to lend support to the GDI because of the importance of the PVCs to the citizenry, commended the organisation for what it was doing in educating and enlightening the people on the need to register and obtain their voters’ cards.
The IPAC chairman, who described the crowd at the Port Harcourt rally as “Sea of human beings and operation thunderbolt”, noted that the large turnout he saw at Etche was incomparable to what he saw in Port Harcourt.
On his part, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, advised the people to secure their PVCs.
“You know before now, you were coming to the rally with your PVCs, and I advised against it because you might misplace it. One vote is important to us. We have the number but we need to add more so that when we win, we win with a larger margin that you cannot even protest the win”, Fubara said.
He appealed to those who had already registered, to go and collect their PVCs, disclosing that there were several PVCs at INEC offices across the state that were yet to be collected.
Fubara, therefore, advised those who were yet to collect their PVCs to go and collect them without further delay, stressing that it was only by exercising their franchise on Election Day with their PVCs that victory could be secured for the party.
Also present at the rally were the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; LGA chairmen; members of the state and National Assembly; and PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; the President General of the Grassroot Democratic Initiative, Hon. Bright Amaewhule; Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie; and Rivers East Senatorial District Candidate, Hon. Alwell Onyesoh.
Others are the State Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George as well as party’s candidates for the state and national legislative elections, captains of industry, other top government officials, including members of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, and various other political pressure groups.
The Bro Felix Obuah Support Group delegation was led by the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Comrade John Davidson; and the PHALGA Coordinator, Johnson Otuonye.
While commending the GDI for the success of the campaign, Davidson stressed that the group would leave no stone unturned in its quest to ensure popular participation of citizens in the forthcoming elections, which by God’s grace, would usher in the administration of Sir Sim Fubara come 2023.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akuku-Toru Chapter, last Wednesday, held her general meeting at Abonnema, with a call on all eligible voters, who were yet to register and collect their PVCs to do so before the Sunday expiration of the exercise.
The objective of the meeting was the sensitisation of party stalwarts on the new Electoral Guidelines and the significance of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in the 2023 General Election.
In his opening remark, the PDP Chairman of AKULGA, Hon. Emmanuel Stephen, assured the people that, moving forward, the party would sustain interactive sessions with party members as a priority, as part of strategies to nurture the spirit of camaraderie.
Speaking, former Secretary of the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, thanked the members for their support and commitment to the party while encouraging them to always work together for the growth of the party.
Danagogo also reiterated the importance of the PVCs in the electoral process, and urged everyone to make the procurement of the electoral passport a priority.
In his remarks, Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Hon. Rowland Sekibo, exhorted party members to be steadfast and supportive of the party’s pursuit for a better and more prosperous Rivers State and Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders and party faithful, Chairman of the AKULGA PVC Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee, Hon. Isobo Jack, advised party stalwarts who are yet to register to do so before the July 31, 2022 deadline given by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also speaking, Vice-Chairman AKULGA, Hon. Mrs. Caroline West; Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Engr. Major Jack; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Lolo Opuende; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sibo-ofori Lawson; Dr. ThankGod Lilly; Hon. Kurotamunoye Briggs; Barrister Ibim Dokubo; and Mrs Priscilla Don-Pedro, in their respective goodwill messages unanimously called for synergy and the collective advancement of the party.
The meeting also featured an interactive session between members and leaders of the party.

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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