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RSG Woos NNPCL Retirees To Buy-In, Invest In Modular Refineries In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says his government is poised to attract the best brains in the state and beyond to help transform the state to the fast lane of accelerated development.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, while playing host to a delegation of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, recently.
Johnson, who himself is a retiree of the hydrocarbon behemoth, noted that the NNPC senior citizens have a lot to offer in advancing the course of development in the state, given their wealth of experience, which he said, the state government was willing to tap from.
He expressed gratitude to the management committee of the group for the courtesy visit to identify with the Rivers State Government, emphasising that their visit has given him a sense of belonging.
Johnson explained that the governor and has been on course in delivering people-oriented programmes and projects through the help of God and the massive support of Rivers people, despite the plans of detractors to divert his attention from fulfilling his mandate.
According to him; “Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as an accountant, is not given to much noise. He is very humane, friendly and ready to serve the state creditably.
“We have lost a lot in the area of human capital development, which the governor is determined to fix.”
He noted that Rivers State, unlike Lagos, has not experienced simultaneous development across all the 23 local government areas in the State due to politicking in the past eight years.
Johnson noted that the governor has come up with a different concept of accelerated development, which despite the efforts of detractors, was beginning to put some legacies in place that would speak for the government in days and years to come.
He told the NNPC retired staff that his office was open to them at all times, even as he enjoined them to offer advice to the government in areas that it was not doing well.
According to him, “Any area we are not doing well, please tell us so that we can adjust. We are humans. We are bound to make mistakes.
“The governor is a human being like all of us. He has been in the public service. But he would leverage on the experience that most of you have acquired over the years at NNPC, which is pivotal when it comes to organizational management.”
The commissioner added, “For example, we have electricity supply challenge which those of you with engineering expertise can make available to the Rivers State Government. This is an area that you can be interested in, and we are ready to partner with you.
“There is no reason why we cannot have a modular refinery to produce fuel and associated by-products for our local consumption to address the high cost of the products.”
He, therefore, charged them to buy-in to the government initiative as a game changer, even as he noted that they (NNPC retired staff) could as well offer consultancy services to the government in the areas of their core competencies.
Johnson urged them to serve as his mirror, so as to point the way to a premium quality service delivery to the good people of Rivers State.
He noted that Fubara’s strategy of silence and focused leadership has discomfited the adversaries, thus making him very unpredictable.
He sued for constant interactions for cross fertilization of ideas that would be mutually beneficial.
Earlier in his remarks, President, NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, Sir Francis Igwebuike Ifi, had congratulated the commissioner on his well-deserved appointment as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council and Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state.
He expressed absolute confidence in the ability of the state Chief Image Maker to deliver premium quality service to the state, given his antecedents.
Ifi stated that the NNPC EZRSICS, which is the investment arm of the retirees, recognises Johnson as one of their own, a close friend and dependable ally who has the development and progress of the cooperative at heart.
He said that it was for that reason that they associate with him and will continue to support the state government to achieve its mandates in key sectors.
“Our courtesy visit to you today is to show our solidarity and felicitate with you on your well-deserved appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communications of the Rivers State Government.
“We are delighted that you have made us proud to be so appointed into an exalted office. Your appointment has given all of us, cooperators, a sense of joy, pride and happiness”, he said.
Continuing, Ifi said; “We are very happy for your appointment, and pray to God Almighty to grant you the wherewithal to perform your duties efficiently and creditably.
“We also pledge and vow to support you and the Rivers State Government such that, even the governor will be happy with us.
“We also want to urge you to please, convey our warmest greetings to His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“We are aware of what has been happening in the state since his assumption of office. Please, tell him that we are convinced in his ability to overcome and chart a new course for the development of the state in line with his constitutional mandate as the duly elected governor of Rivers State.
“We are solidly behind you and the government and good people of Rivers State,” he concluded.
Other members of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited’s Management Team on the courtesy visit included the Vice President, Rev. Charles W. George; Financial Secretary, Elder Daminabo Iwo George; and Treasurer, Mr. Monday Ewonubari Yaakor.
Others are Secretary, Elder Blessing T. Kalio; and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Daere R. Amachree.
A minute silence was later observed in honour of the former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, late Engr. A. M. Alabi, who was said to have slumped and died recently in his Kwara State home.
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
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