Politics
Wike Gets Best Governor Award
Inspection of State public schools which opened for 2016/
2017 academic year by the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku was the curtain raiser last week in Government House.
Prof. Kaniye took a tour of public primary schools in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas last Monday.
He confirmed that, “all our public schools have been reopened. The teachers and pupils are in their respective schools”.
At all the schools visited, the Commissioner had interactions with the pupils and their teachers. Some of the primry schools visited include: State Primary Township Schools 1 and 2, Moscow Road, Centenary Primary School, Port Harcourt and St. Andrews Primary Schools 1,2,3 and 4 in Port Harcourt.
On the same last Monday, the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo represented Chief Nyesom Wike at the 6th International Christian Business Exhibition and Conference organized by the Marketplace Apostles Empowerment Foundation in Port Harcourt.
He underscored the need to redirect energies of young people towards self reliance and entrepreneurship. He said, “following the country’s economic recession today, many Nigerians have lost their jobs in the banking, oil and other sectors of the economy and many others are unemployed”.
Last Tuesday witnessed the hosting of representatives of Korokoro Community in Tai Local Government Area by the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo. Represented by a member of Rivers State Boundary Committee, Chief Silas Eneyo, the deputy governor urged the two neighbouring communities of Oyigbo and Tai to continue embracing dialogue in resolving the boundary dispute between them.
The deputy governor who is also Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Committee reminded the visitors of the pains and hardship always associated with communal clashes, and warned that the State Government would invoke the full wrath of the law on any individual or group found fermenting trouble.
She also commented on the International Peace Day, Wednesday last week. In a statement signed by Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Dr. Harry-Banigo emphasized that the welfare and security of the people were paramount to the Chief Wike-led administration. She called on the federal government to facilitate an action plan that would bring security closer to the door steps of the citizens, as most criminals often run back to their country of origin for refuge after committing crime.
A statement from the Special Adviser on Electronic Media to Governor Wike on Thursday affirmed the new wave of road rehabilitation embarked upon by the Wike administration through the envigoured State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency. Beginning from May 29th, 2015 when assumed office, Chief Wike has adopted a double – barreled approach to fix roads in the state and rebuild the State’s economy.
Also, last Thursday the deputy governor in a statement described the delay by INEC to conduct the remaining re-run legislative polls in the State as provocative and constitutional breach by the electoral umpire. She wondered why the opposition is comfortable denying the people representation in the National Assembly.
Returning to the State on Thursday evening, Governor Nyesom Wike had received an award in the United Kingdom following his performance in moving and transforming Rivers State.
Last Friday, the governor commenced official duties holding an Executive Council meeting and receiving different committee reports, including the Captain Elechi Amadi’s Burial Committee report. Later in the evening of Friday, the governor and his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike hosted 50th birthday celebrations for wife of statesman and politician Chief Sergeant Awuse. Justice Nyesom Wike poured encomiums on Mrs Victoria Awuse who she described as an educationist and role model.
Last Saturday, a statement from the governor’s media aide announced the appointment of Daye Graham-Douglas as Special Assistant on Street/Traffic Lights. The appointment is to foster control and management of the new traffic lights.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
-
Sports4 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports4 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports4 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports4 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports4 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports4 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports4 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Politics4 days agoRivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension