News
Fubara Recommits To Good Governance …Urges ANAN To Sustain Excellence Insists State’s Safe For Business
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that despite the deliberate distractions by detractors, the State Government will remain focused on delivering good governance to the people to justify the mandate freely given to it by the electorate.
This is even as the Governor has urged the leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to sustain the promotion of excellence in financial reporting and practice in the country secured over the years.
Governor Fubara gave the charge when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation of the Association led by its 13th National President, Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday night.
Represented by Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, Governor Fubara noted that the Government’s eyes will remain glued on the ball in order not to miss achieving set targets in critical sectors.
While assuring that he will not disappoint Rivers people, Governor Fubara noted that the interest of the State comes first before any other consideration, stressing that no matter the pressure to via off the curve, the Government will never yield to the machinations of self-serving politicians and individuals.
He charged ANAN to remain consistent in professional financial practice as that was one best way to institutionalise best practices, due diligence and transparency in governance.
This culture of excellence, he said, has been enforced among its members who are subjected to continuous education to become contemporarily relevant, which has won ANAN a reputation of integrity.
The Governor said, “So, know that it’s actually a pleasure to have you come hold your Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Port Harcourt. And also to say that it is an association that rings a bell.
“In fact, two of my staff actually passed their training examinations. It was in Jos, and I asked them: what are you going to do there? And they said, it was mandatory for them. So, you’re doing a good and wonderful job.
“It is good to be good and consistent so that you have that integrity for the Association. And to congratulate you for the college that has been established because anything to do with education, it is something that is top notch because people have to learn, train and be retrained.
“And to tell you that my Governor is very passionate about things that have to do with improvement of capacities and building of individuals and human beings. I’m delighted that he will be willing to do something that will put his name on the marble when you talk about ANAN College.”
Governor Fubara commended their decision of choosing Port Harcourt as host for their 2024 professional development programme, and urged them to enjoy their visit while achieving the purpose they had set out for themselves.
He said that the choice of the State for the annual gathering of professional accountants was an eloquent indication that the State was safe not just for national conferences, summits and retreats, but also for long-term investors and visitors, as the State was peaceful, hospitable and investment-friendly.
“It is, indeed, gratifying that when conferences or meetings are schedule in Rivers State, for us, it is a plus because it resonates with the fact that Rivers State is safe; that Rivers State is a place you can do business and interact with people,” the Governor added.
In his address, the 13th National President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James Ekerare Neminebor, said they were in Government House on solidarity visit to the Governor, who is a fellow of the Association.
Dr Neminebor, who is also Chairman of Council of ANAN, explained that as a body of 55,000 members with 44 branches across Nigeria, they are reckoned as one of the topmost institutes for practicing accountants.
He also said that ANAN decided that the three-day 2nd session of 2024 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme should be hosted in Port Harcourt to underscore the pivotal position of Rivers State in national economy.
On the delegation were national and state executive officers of the association, while the training event, which began on Monday with registration of participants, will end on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
News
ECOWAS Court Orders Nigeria to Pay N52m compensation to Rivers, Lagos Evictees

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

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

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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