Rivers
Stakeholders Task INEC On Credible Guber Poll
Many stakeholders have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from recent experience and improve on subsequent elections, especially the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the country.
They said this recently at a multi stakeholders forum on peaceful election organized by Community Initiative for Enhanced Peace And Development (CiEpD) with support from foundation for Partnership in the Niger Delta (PIND) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Some of the stakeholders also urged the Commission to ensure election results are transmitted electronically.
In a release made available to newsmen at the meeting, CIEPD thanked Nigerians for coming out en masse to express their civic duties during the election.
The group said, “despite the mixed feelings and emotions that are expressed, we call on Nigerians especially the good people of Rivers State, to remain calm and peaceful at this critical time.
“It is expedient that we eschew violence and by no means take laws into our hands. We need to build a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State/Nigeria”.
Also speaking, representative of foundation for PIND, Chief Constance Meju, said the event was to galvanize the people of the Niger Delta with the view to ensuring peaceful and credible elections in the region.
In their separate remarks, the Rivers State Police Command and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) promised to mobilize their personal with a view to ensuring peace during the election.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of PIND, Mrs Egondu Ogbalor, has called on the people of the Niger Delta to avoid violence during the elections in the state.
The programme has as its theme, “Community Stakeholders Network Capacity Building Conflict Management and Analysis, Advocacy, Community Mobilisation and Election Violence Mitigation”.
The Executive Director said the programme is for stakeholders from some flash point local Government Areas of Rivers State.
She said the participants are to watch out for early signs of conflicts in the affected Local Government Areas and report to the appropriate authorities.
Egondu listed the affected local Government Areas as Akuku Toru, Tai, Port Harcourt City, Obio /Akpor, Asari Toru, Ikwerre, and Eleme Local Government Areas.
According to her, “we are working on elections, we are also warning. We have a platform where people report conflicts”.
Egondu said the group is presently focusing on the seven affected Local Government Areas, saying, “in this program we have respondents who respond to conflicts and early warning to save lives”.
She listed some of the causes of conflicts during elections to include hijack of ballot boxes, violence during campaign rallies and shooting during campaign rallies.
Also speaking, a member of the institute of Human Rights And Humanitarian Law, Mr Courage Nsirimovu, said the training will enable the trainees to identify early warning and signs of conflicts.
“The essence of the training is basically to reduce conflicts.There is a concept that is called early warning and early response and that is what we intended to use.
“We received information from our field officers during the election and we transmit it to the relevant stakeholder either INEC the police, civil society organisation or people of influence and that is the platform we want to use, he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Rose Chuka said the program is all about curbing violence during the election.
According to her, “the programme is all about training on electoral violence and what to do before election”.
On his part another participant, Dr Prince Eze, said the program was to build their capacity with a view to checking violence during elections.
“Basically this training will ensure that the election is credible. It also helps to ensure that there will be no electoral violence or conflicts”, he said.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, under the dynamic leadership of Amb. Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, has called on the result-oriented National President, Amb. Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo, to re-contest.
This call stems from the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerian youths, based on his outstanding track record, charismatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth development.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men, yesterday.
Amb. Akpor explained that under the leadership of Amb. Sokubo the NYCN has experienced unprecedented progress in youth empowerment, advocacy, and national unity.
“I want to say that Amb. Sokubo’s ability to maintain harmony, sustainable peace, and foster an inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership structure is a testament to his visionary and tactical approach to leadership.
“The Rivers State Chapter, with other progressive and stakeholders, believes he is best positioned to continue piloting the affairs of the Council towards greater heights”,he said.
The youth council chairman in the State further appeal to Sokubo to answer this noble call to serve once again, for the sake of continuity, growth, and the collective aspirations of Nigerian youths across the country.