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Peace Award: Undecided Investors Now Free To Tap Rivers Potential -China

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Investors still afraid of coming into Rivers State are now expected to make their fast decisions, according to a real estate success strategist and investor.

The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, stated this while reacting to the conferment of the Silverbird Peace  Advocate of the Year Award on the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, by Silverbird Group in Lagos, yesterday.

China said he was elated and proud about the development because the sacrifice made by the governor for peace to reign in the state was beginning to pay off, adding that the governor has sacrificed a lot and restrained himself from exchanges that can destroy the State.

“So, it seems, for the sake of the grass, the elephant has refused to fight, and quietly went about his projects, just to ensure the grass does not suffer, even when most of the grasses are baling for blood or for a fight back. Much is being achieved”, China waxed philosophically.

On how this would help promote investments and businesses in the state, China said: “Every state is ultimately represented by the kind of leader it has. It is clear that peace promotes productivity; productivity promotes profit; profit promotes peace. It is a circle of good.

“More profit makes more peace. This will now help to create peace and people can increase productivity. It allows investors to go out and come in. It has added to the trust in peace in the State. It boosts productivity.

“For external investors waiting to see if it is real peace so as to come, they can see it is real. It may convince them to make final investment decision. Those on the fence will find signal that real peace is here.”

The Mayor advised the political class to note that the era of sharing politics is gradually coming to an end.

According to him, “With the food crisis in Nigeria, it means productive politics is what is needed because soon, there is nothing to share. Productive politics is being birthed. Unlike sharing politics, in productive politics, there is nothing to share if you don’t produce.

“The main fallout of productive politics is internally generated revenue (IGR), and one of the greatest drivers of IGR is business activity, and one of the drivers of business activity is surge of investors.

“Soon, it would be like in medical tourism driving some states in Nigeria. States with best business climates would attract investors and they get boost in IGR. We are getting there.

“The earlier the political actors realise this, the better it is for the state. So, they can learn how to fight without destroying the economy. We are not saying they should not fight but they should not do so in the glare of the public and expose their dirty linens. There are ways they do these things so the investment community is not harmed.”

He stressed that by these developments, positive news is winning over toxic news and crisis.

“Abia State nearby is an example of good news coming out almost everyday. While we are here in Rivers State talking and hearing of toxic news everyday, Abia State is now in good news, and you can’t imagine the volume of investors rushing there. They may catch up or even overtake Rivers State, something that has never happened before.

“So, my general take is that what comes out of perception is now stronger than reality, and perception is now the new reality.

“Whatever comes out of Rivers State shapes the perception of people outside the State, and this creates the reality of whether to come or not.

“There is no State that can do it alone. They must clamour for national and international investors. Instead of trying to gag news, you better create positive activities that create positive news that creates positive activities, forming a circle of good that creates wealth for everybody,” he added.

 

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ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Pay N52m compensation to Rivers, Lagos Evictees

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The ECOWAS Court has ordered Nigeria to pay two million Naira compensation each to 26 people who were forcibly evicted from various communities in Lagos and Rivers between 2004 and 2013.

The Tide source reports that the applicants, Mr Edwin Lenyie and 25 others had filed the suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/34/17), seeking the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

They also prayed the court to compel the Nigerian government to pay them compensation for forcefully evicting them from their communities without prior notice, compensation, or alternative shelter, rendering them homeless.

Delivering judgment yesterday, the court held that the Nigerian government failed in its responsibility to ensure access to legal remedies for the victims.

According to the community court, the action of the Nigerian government was in violation of Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

It held that the Applicants’ rights under Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantees the right to a fair trial and access to justice, were violated.

The court said that the hearings on the matter, which were held by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) “were never concluded, and no alternative means of redress were provided for them.”

“Inspite of initial hearings by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2014, the proceedings were suspended indefinitely, leaving the Applicants without legal recourse,” the court said.

The court further dismissed Nigeria’s objections that the Applicants should have pursued their claims in Nigerian courts and on jurisdiction, saying it had the locus standi to entertain the case.

It further struck out the NHRC as a respondent in the case, and ordered that the Federal Government must bear full responsibility for the actions of its agencies.

The three-member panel of the court which has Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding); Sengu Koroma (judge rapporteur); and Gberi-Bè Ouattara (member) held that the compensation/reparation would ensure that justice is served the victims.

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RSG Moves To Boost Immunization, Commissions Solarized Cold Room, Vehicles

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As part of efforts to ensure efficient immunization and vaccine efficacy, the Rivers state Government has commissioned a solarised walk-in cold room for vaccine preservation and vaccine vial crusher.

 

Also commissioned were nine operational Hilux vehicles and ten motorcycles for disease surveillance across some local government areas in the state.

 

Rivers Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, who commissioned the facilities at the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board premises in Port Harcourt, said the development marks a significant milestone in the government’s unwavering commitment to the health care and wellbeing of Rivers people.

 

The Deputy Governor said that with the ceremony, the state government is not only inaugurating the equipment but also strengthening the foundation of the health care delivery system

 

She said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of our people.

 

“As we commission the solarised work in cold room to the surveillance motorcycles, we are not only inaugurating the equipment, we are strengthening the foundation of our health care delivery system.’

 

Professor Odu further said the installation of the cold room also represents the government’s dedication to maintaining vaccine efficacy as well as ensuring that every child and citizen receives life savings immunization.

 

According to her, the commissioned Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for disease surveillance also demonstrate the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding health facilities across the local government areas.

 

She said the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has consistently prioritised health care infrastructure in the local government areas.

 

Professor Odu commended the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), the World Health Organization WHO, and others for their immense support.

 

In her remarks, Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, who spoke through her Permanent Secretary, Dr. Comfort Mekele Igwe said the commissioning would greatly enhance vaccine storage, handling, and distribution and underscores the government’s commitment to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the Primary Healthcare System

 

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), Professor Kinikanwo Green, said the commissioning is to strengthen health care delivery system in the state.

 

Green described the solarised walk-in cold room as one of the best in the country, stressing that it would take care of all vaccines.

 

He also explained that the vehicles will help health officers, especially in the rural areas to ensure proper supervision of immunisation as well as easy dispatches of vaccines to its destination.

 

According to the Executive Secretary, the situation will also enable the state to achieve universal health coverage

 

Speaking in similar vein, the chairman of RSPHCMB, Professor Blessing Jaja, said the board will continue to deliver on it core mandate and commended Governor Fubara for ensuring regular subvention as well promotion of its staff.

 

In their separate speeches, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Kolude Oluwafunmilola, and Dr Anselem Audu of UNICEF said the ceremony represents Rivers state’s commitment to quality health care.

 

They also commended the government for its efforts in advancing immunization in the state and assured of their continuous collaborations.

 

John Bibor

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Fubara Tasks New Surveyor-General On Professionalism  …Says Appointment Based On Merit

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the Surveyor-General of the State to work differently with professionalism, diligence and integrity, and ensure that every tenable, pragmatic module is deplored to enhance effective delivery of his duties and responsibilities.

 

Governor Fubara gave the charge shortly after swearing in Surveyor Peter Ogolo as the Surveyor-General of the State and Permanent Secretary of the Survey Department at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.

 

The Governor described Surveyor Ogolo as a long serving public officer who ranks high among his peers, and has contributed immensely to the establishment of most development roadmaps for the State, stressing that his appointment was based purely on merit.

 

He said, “If you go into the history of how the then Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was established, if you go into the history of other developments in this State, if you check the survey plans, you will see that Ogolo was the one who signed virtually all those things.

 

“This appointment is not because he is from Opobo. He is the most senior, most qualified, and even the one who interviewed the person he is succeeding now. The records are there with the Civil Service Commission.”

 

Governor Fubara stated: “So, I don’t need to give you any charge. You are already there. You know what the office entails. You just read your oath of office: do what is right. It is not about the faces you are going to see, do what is right. Be professional, defend and protect the interest of the State. I wish you all the best. God will guide you.”

 

Governor Fubara recalled the challenges that Surveyor Ogolo encountered that would have ended his career quite early but quickly added that because he listened to wise counsel, he is now celebrating being the Surveyor-General of the State.

 

He explained,  “But something happened in the course of his service. He was between losing his job or fighting for his life. He came to me, and I advised him: why don’t you leave, maybe, wait to fight another day.

 

“And that is why today he is alive to be the Surveyor-General. If he had stood to fight, that he is the most senior, that he is the most qualified, he wouldn’t have been here today,” he stated.

 

He advised the new Surveyor-General to serve the State selflessly and honestly, with abiding integrity, so that posterity will remember his legacies forever.

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