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We’re Building Better Future For Rivers – Wike
As activities to mark the state Golden Jubilee anniversary gathers momentum, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says his administration was on the path to achieve a new vision for posterity.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Traditional Rulers Day celebrations tagged: “Traditional Institution In Nigeria and the Challenge of Re-Engineering Viable Local Economies”, at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, last Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, Wike held that plans have begun to give the state a better future.
He said, “This celebration provides us opportunity to plan where this state will be in the next 50 years, and it’s the best way to immortalize the sacrifices of our founding fathers.”
The governor asserted that the celebrations underscore the liberation of the people from oppression, as it gave them the opportunity to be free and assert themselves in the polity.
Wike said traditional rulers played great role in the state’s creation and development of the state, arguing that they still have greater role to play since they exert influence on their subjects at the grassroots.
It’s against this backdrop, he explained that his administration was ensuring that the status of the traditional institution was upgraded to ensure that government policies and programmes are embraced at the local areas, and therefore, enjoined the local government councils to incorporate them in their activities.
Urging royal fathers to remain apolitical, Wike pointed out that they have huge responsibilities to develop the youth and drive local economy, while decrying the rising use of illicit drugs and violence at the rural areas.
He nonetheless submitted that his administration was working hard to put the state on the path of development, emphasizing that, “We are on the way to achieve a new vision for Rivers State.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Amayanabo of Opobo Kingodm, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, described the celebrations as a dream come true for River State.
As drivers of the local economy and development, Jaja suggested that government can exploit the roles of the traditional institution to transform the state.
He thanked the governor for the people-oriented projects done over the years, as he urged him not to relent in the quest to move the state forward.
In his remarks, the first governor and military administrator of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, assured that the state has come to stay and was of age now.
The Amayanabo of Twon Brass sued for unity among the people, and wished the governor and people of the state a great future.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has sued for unity among traditional rulers in the state, just as the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, challenged traditional rulers to partner government at all levels to engender peace and sustainable development for the betterment of all.
He said, “We must be ready to explore new avenues and ideas as veritable tools of peace and engagement and traditional rulers need to be fully engaged.”
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.