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WE’RE NOT FIGHTING ANYBODY, FUBARA TELLS SENATE C’TTEE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has clarified that he is not fighting anybody but rather defending the State against predators, and protecting supporters of the interest of Rivers State against those who feel that they own the life of others.
He also has asserted that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential, a five star hotel in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate ploy to strengthen the call for a state of emergency by haters who want to undermine the State to achieve their evil plans.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor explained that some youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of tenure of former local government chairmen who have served out their statutory three-year tenure.
Governor Fubara said the protesters and their sponsors were aware that some honourable members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, which is why they attempted to detonate an explosive device near the facility in order to give reason to support the call for state of emergency when the matter is raised at plenary but they failed.
He said, “As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I know of everything that is happening. Yesterday (Tuesday), they (protesters) were aware that you are in the State. So, there was an attempt to create serious problem.
“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it, detonated it but just few seconds after, it blew his hands off.”
Governor Fubara asserted: “The idea was that as you were hearing state of emergency, it will be so that by the time they finish, when you return to have your sitting tomorrow (Thursday), the debate will be from somebody from this State who called you people to tell you not to come. He will now raise issue of state of emergency, and say after all, distinguished colleagues saw it happen while you were in Rivers State, that you saw what happened.
“But you see, when you are with God, even your own child who is planning evil, will go and tell somebody that, God is with this man because he is clean, this is what my father is planning. That is what is keeping us in this State.”
The Rivers State Governor wondered why it seems that the law is silent or inactive to take its course over offenders because somebody appears to be bigger than the law on the agitation, because there is nowhere in the country were tenure elongation for former local government chairmen has been an issue.
Governor Fubara clarified that he is not fighting anybody but rather defending the State against predators, and protecting supporters of the interest of Rivers State against those who feel that they own the life of others.
The State Chief Executive pointed out that there is no Governor in Nigeria who can take 10 percent of the abuse railed at him by former local government council chairmen.
Governor Fubara said he has taken those insults and attacks in his strides without going hard at the purveyors because their plan is to distract him, stressing that he has remained focused on delivering good governance and democratic dividends to Rivers people.
He said, “Where on earth can tenure of local government chairmen be elongated. You were a former Governor, was it tried in your time. Even those of you that are Senators here, even in your own states, has anyone tried this before?
“Is it that the Constitution that governs Nigeria is different from the one that operates in Rivers State? These are the very pertinent questions we should ask.
“Why should it be that when it comes to the case of Rivers State, the law is always silent? Is it that there is somebody bigger than Nigeria? That is the question I want you to go back with.”
Governor Fubara insisted: “I tell you, we know everything that is happening, and you know it, everybody knows it. We should be bold enough to look at the face of people and tell them the truth.
“I am not fighting anybody. If I am fighting, people will know that I am fighting: My pattern will change. What we are doing is to defend ourselves. We can’t just fold our hands. Only a tree will be standing and somebody will come and cut it off.
“It doesn’t happen as a human being. If you know that danger is coming, you shift. What we are doing is just to protect ourselves. So, Distinguished Senators, I am not fighting anybody.”
Governor Fubara further said: “Somebody thinks or some people feel they own life. I don’t own life. The person who own life is God. What we are doing here is to serve the people of Rivers State because God has given us this opportunity.
“It doesn’t matter the channel the opportunity came from. But the most important thing is God, and nobody takes the place of God in anything,” he added.
The Governor told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers State as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the State buys stakes in such companies, it can be protected and supervised to be viable.
“I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers State Government will be interested.
“Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.
“So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if they is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.
“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he noted.
In his address, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, said they were in Rivers State to carry out oversight duties on some projects under their purview.
Senator Kalu, who is the member representing Abia North Senatorial District, commended Governor Fubara for his love for peace, determination to offer quality governance and keep pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth to all residents in the State.
The Senate committee chairman also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to shealth the sword, and call his supporters to order as a commitment to fostering peace and putting the interest of the State above all considerations.
He said, “I want to admire Your Excellency, your Deputy and your team for the good things you are doing in the State, but it is good to have peace.
“I want to thank you because you look like a very peaceful man. Your face shows a peaceful man. Your laugh shows a peaceful man. So, I want you to continue in that manner of peace. There is nothing like peace. Let people who are eating with this problem stop eating from it.
“We know that politics has taken its shape. We commend you for what you are doing for the people of your State. I will continue to ask you to focus on the job.
“Leadership is a very big burden. It is not a sweet potato. It is not anywhere where you can see rice and beans. On the street of Rivers, everyone is saying that the Governor and the former Governor are quarreling.
“We want to plead with you, continue to be holding your people back because if your people demonstrate like the other people, we will have a state of anarchy, and it is not good to have anarchy.
“I want to plead with you to abide by the rules of the land. I plead with you to abide by what the Constitution says. I plead with you to also abide by the decisions of the Judiciary. Wait for every judicial interpretation and act on judicial interpretation,” he added.
He pledged the readiness of the committee to work with the State Government to achieve mutually beneficial goals that will advance the interest of all Nigerians, adding that the hardship in the land was already enough burden that leaders need to concentrate efforts to address to promote growth and prosperity for all.
News
120 To Bag First Class At RSU Convocation
The Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo Port Harcourt, has announced that a total of 8,920 students from the various faculties and departments of the university will be graduating during the 36th convocation of the institution.
The university also announced that out of the figure, 120 students would bag first class honours.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, disclosed this during a press conference held in the institution in Port Harcourt, recently.
Okogbule,while giving the breakdown, said 6,708 students bagged First Degree; 2,122 students earned higher degrees, 4,017 bagged Class Honours, Lower Division; 757 received Third Class Division, while 58 earned Pass Division.
In the Higher Degree category, 743 bagged Post-Graduate Diplomas; 1,195 received Masters Degrees, while 442 earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
He said that that this year’s Convocation ceremony is special because it will be recording two significant events in the historical trajectory of the university.
“First, it will be the last convocation where I will be participating as Vice-Chancellor of the University. This is because my five years tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University will terminate on 4th March, 2025. Second, it will witness the graduation of the first set of Nursing graduates from the University.
“The Nursing graduates were recently inducted as professional nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. This is a landmark achievement not only for the University, but also for the Rivers State Government which is massively supporting the Medical College, and the University,” he said.
He added that a convocation lecture would be delivered by the former Vice-Chancellor of Usman Danfodiyo University, Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis on Thursday.
The lecture will be titled “Emerging technologies in reshaping the future of education and the learning environment.”
He added, “Finally, we will also have an exhibition of some of the research findings, designs inventions and innovations by staff of the University.”
According to him, “the purpose of this exercise is to draw the attention of the public to some of our relevant research findings to see how corporate entities and individuals can support us in the task of improving the wellbeing of humankind and to spice the programme.
“There will also be cultural display where our award-winning Theatre Arts group will entertain guests with their intricate dance steps.”
On academic achievements and developments, the vice Chancellor said, “I am happy to inform you that the University has within the last one year continued to creditably acquit itself in the task of producing the required high-level manpower to meet the aspirations of the people of Rivers State, and respond to the peculiar environmental challenges of the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria as a whole.
“Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the University has witnessed a number of landmark academic achievements in the last one year.
“Topmost among these is the fact that in the last National Universities Commission (NUC) Accreditation exercise for 2023, all the 19 programmes presented by our University for accreditation received Full Accreditation Status from the Commission. No programme was given Interim Accreditation, and none was denied accreditation. This means a 100% performance.
“It may be recalled that in the 2022 Accreditation exercise, we presented twenty-four (24) programmes, and all the 24 programmes received Full Accreditation status. We, therefore, scored 100% in both accreditation exercises consecutively. This is a clear indication that our University is doing very well academically. We are also confident of scoring the same 100% in the three programmes presented for accreditation in the just concluded 2024 exercise.”
The University which started in 1980 with seven (7) Faculties, namely: Faculty of Agriculture, Engineering, Science, Technical and Science Education, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Law now has 15 Faculties.
The new Faculties include, Humanities, Social Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences and Faculty of Clinical Sciences under the prestigious College of Medical Sciences.
Prof Okogbule said further that the university recently commenced the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences while approval has also been given to commence Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
He added that the current student population has also increased to over 40,000.
By: Akujobi Amadi
News
Engage Violence-Free Approach In Quest For Equity, Justice, Fubara Tells IYC
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has counselled members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to ensure they adopt violence-free approaches in their quest to achieve equity, justice, and fair share of the distributable resources found in the Niger Delta region.
Governor Fubara gave the advise when the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, led a delegation of leaders and members of the group on Solidarity Walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The leadership of the IYC also conferred on Governor Fubara the prestigious honour by naming him the Grassroots-General of Ijaw Nation.
Speaking, the Governor hailed the youths for their commitment to upholding and furthering the contributions made by the foremost rights advocate of the Niger Delta region, Isaac Adaka Boro, who fought until his dying days seeking justice for the region.
Governor Fubara said while no person can stifle people of the region from speaking out against perceived or real marginalisation, they must not resort to destruction of valuable national assets.
The Governor warned that he will not tolerate or support anything that will either disgrace Rivers State or embarrass the Federal Government from any group of people in the State.
Governor Fubara explained that if the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Federal Government are tackled for perpetrating marginalisation and environmental pollution, the people of the region must not exacerbate the situation by vandalising oil pipelines that also impact the environment negatively.
He said: “Violence does not solve problems. That’s the truth. We must all walk together, join hands together to give ourselves that thing that we want. So, I will appeal to you, your message will be transmitted to Mr President. But while we are doing that, you must be law-abiding.
“There should not be any vandalisation of our oil pipelines. It is not the white men that are coming to do it. It is you, our people doing it. So, we need to discourage ourselves from it. We need to encourage ourselves to support the government. When production is high, revenue will increase, those demands you are making will be met. The local governments and the states will get more amenities for you, jobs will be created, more money will be in your pockets,” he added.
In his speech, President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, said IYC is 26 years and has remained committed to seeking desirable attention and addressing the many economic, political and environmental injustice metted to the region.
Dr Theophilus listed some of their requests to include, increase of 13% derivation to 50per cent, backed by an Executive Bill; remediation of Ijaw land of oil exploration activities are to continue, and inclusion of greater number of Ijaw people in mainstream governance at the Federal Government level and in oil sector governance.
News
RSHA Moves To Investigate Oil Spill In Bonny …As Two Bills Pass First Reading
The State House of Assembly has mandated its Committee on Public Complaints to immediately ascertain the cause of damage at the oil spill at the facility of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in Bonny Local Government Area.
The Committee is expected to visit the affected communities, ascertain the level of damage and come up with recommendations that will immediately alleviate the suffering of the people.
This follows a petition presented by the House Leader, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, on the floor of the Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt against NNPC on the oil spill incident at her facility at Iloma community, on behalf of Minima Community in Bonny Local Government area.
Presenting the petition, Hon. Sokari said the petition which was signed by Amaopusenibo Kingsley Hart, urged the House to take immediate action to address the environmental disaster caused by the spill.
They also requested the Assembly to ensure that NNPC take immediate action to clean up the spill and restore sanity to the environment, as well as provide compensation to the affected communities
The House Speaker, Rt . Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo at the end of the presentation committed the petition to the Committee on Public Complaints and mandated it to visit the affected communities and make recommendations.
It would be recalled that on the 22nd of November, 2024, a devastating oil spill from the NNPC facility occurred in Bonny Local Government Area affecting so many communities.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill 2024 and Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences Bill 2024 have also passed first reading in the floor of the House.
By: John Bibor
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