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Success’ll Remain Hallmark Of Our Govt, Gov Fubara Assures …Celebrates King Ateke Tom At 60
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that nothing less than resounding success will be reckoned with his administration in the provision of social services, critical projects, and sustenance of peace across the State.
Governor Fubara made the declaration at the thanksgiving reception organised by the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, to celebrate his 60th birthday, which held at his residence in Okochiri Town, Okrika Local Government Area on Sunday evening.
King Ateke Tom also organised the event to thank God for the elevation of his traditional stool from second class to first class status and the conferment of honour by the Okrika people on him as the Ama Poku (spokesman) of Kirike Se.
Governor Fubara reiterated that the worse is over with the political crisis that confronted governance in the State, adding that the government was now working assiduously to deliver quality services and signature infrastructure projects in line with his administration’s ‘people first’ mantra.
He said, “I identify with you, King Ateke Tom, and I want to appreciate you for standing with us. Like I had said, the worst is over concerning the political crisis. What we are doing today is moving forward and advancing our State. And I am happy that you are one of my allies.
“I assure you the only thing that will be associated with our administration is success, success and more success,” he said.
Governor Fubara noted with delight that King Ateke Tom is not merely celebrating with drinks and foods distributed to friends but has actually included God in the event with an expression of gratitude to Him for the blessings bestowed on him.
The Governor stated how in contemporary times, life expectancy continues to reduce because of lifestyle changes and other exposures like effect of modern technology, which makes attaining 60 a lofty feat.
He added, “We as a government, it is our duty to make sure that we support our own, more especially when you are contributing to peace and development of our State.
“When one marks 40, we say thank God. Somebody has marked 50, and by the special grace of God, King Ateke Tom is celebrating 60. So, I want to thank God for his life because it is only possible through God.”
Governor Fubara said looking at the life and time of King Ateke Tom, one will understand that death had moved around him, and it therefore, is a miracle for him to have lived this long.
He stressed that it must have been possible for to have come this far by God’s providence, adding that it is only for that reason that it is worth celebrating.
“So, I am happy to tell you that we will continue to stand by you. Let me thank everyone that is here who has come to celebrate with our brother.
“Thank you for coming to support him. I know that as a man, nobody is perfect, but in his own little way, he tries as much as he can, to make peace his major gift to the people of Okrika. I know and I don’t need to be told how much he spends to make sure he makes people happy,” the Governor clarified.
Governor Fubara, who wished King Ateke Tom more glorious years on the throne, urged him to continue to promote peace and development not only in Okochiri Kingdom but in the entire Okrika land.
He said, “I am happy to identify with our brother. He is celebrating three things. Firstly, his birthday; secondly, the special honour by the great people of Okrika and Okochiri; and thirdly, the one that they said I did. I didn’t do it as a person, it is the Office of the Governor that honoured him,” he emphasised.
He said that it only takes a unique character and quintessential individual to celebrate such triple gifts of God at the same time, and wished him well in all his endeavours.
In his welcome address, former Minister of Transport and chairman of the occasion, Chief Abiye Sekibo, said the reception is auspicious for them because a revered son and king is being celebrated.
He said the three-fold celebration, is a show of gratitude to God for the life of King Ateke Tom, enabling him to attain 60th birthday, in addition to the conferment of honour on him by the Okrika people as the spokesman of Kirike Se worldwide and the elevation of Okochiri traditional stool to a first class by the State Government.
Chief Sekibo, who expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for his presence, said as one of them, Okrika people are resolved to sustain support for the Governor to ensure that he succeeds in government.
In his goodwill message, Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, noted that God has blessed King Ateke Tom so much so that within just one year of Governor Fubara’s administration, he has garnered three distinct blessings.
He said, as friends, they are happy with him for the feats achieved, which revolve around his quiet philanthropic nature, capacity to bring people together, and lots of wisdom exhibited in administering his kingdom.
King Jaja recalled the strength of courage and purpose which made him stand up in defence of the Niger Delta region to demand for justice and equity in the exploration and distribution of the accruing benefits of inherent resources, adding that today, the region has got a measure of respect that it deserved.
He charged him to continue to do more for the people, as according to him, the people of Niger Delta still need his guidance and direction to achieve greater heights.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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

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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