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Wike Marks Supreme Court Victory With Thanksgiving

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Activities opened in Government House, Port Harcourt,
last week, with a special thanksgiving service organized by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as mark of gratitude to God for his victory at the Supreme Court on a litigation challenging his eligibility to contest the 2019 gubernatorial election.
The event which took place last Tuesday at the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, was graced by members of the State Executive Council, top members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Permanent Secretaries, members of the State House of Assembly, local government council chairmen, heads of government agencies, staff of the Government House, amongst others.
Governor Wike who took the first Bible reading, later narrated how one Achinike Wobodo, an aide to the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, filed a suit at the Federal High Court and lost in 2018, only for him to return in 2019 to file same eligibility suit against him, with another person as the plaintiff while he (Wobodo) served as counsel.
The Governor said that Chibuike Amaechi and his cohorts had taken unimaginable steps in his desperate efforts to frustrate the development of the state but all those efforts failed because God continued to intervene in the affairs of Rivers State.
He regretted that inspite of extending an Oliver Branch to political opponents, they have continued unnecessary political battles that will not benefit t he state. He restated the need for all to join hands with this administration to build the state irrespective of party differences stressing that all efforts to demarket that state must stop.
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Barr Philip Okparaji hailed Gov Wike on his victory at the Supreme Court and said the victory was not only for Gov Wike but for Rivers State and Democracy.
The new Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura was in Government House, Wednesday, on a courtesy visit to the state chief executive.
While receiving the commissioner, Gov Wike expressed worry over what he termed frequent change of security chiefs in the state, saying such development makes it difficult to plan for the improvement of security in the state.
Wike regretted that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerians Army, Major-General Jamil Sarham has not been transferred despite the mass transfer of officers across the country by the Army High Command.
Wike said he was surprised that despite the ugly and shameful role the GOC played during the past elections in the state, the Army High Command chose to retain him in Rivers State.
The new commissioner of police lauded Wike for the huge support he has been giving to all security agencies in the state particularly for recent donation of 50 patrol vans to the Rivers State Police Command.
Dandaura assured the governor that he would remain politically neutral and professional in the discharge of his duties. The police boss implored sister security agencies to work in synergy with the police to improve security in the state.
In the week under review, Governor Wike approved the appointment of the Emir of Lafia, His Royal Highness Sidi Bage as the chancellor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Wike relied on section 3 and schedule 1 of the Rivers State University Law, 2017, which gave the governor the impetus to make the appointment. The appointment took immediate effect.
Another major event in Brick House, last week, was the security Town Hal Meeting, Governor Wike held at Choba on Friday. In the meeting were security chiefs in the state, chiefs of Choba as well as leaders and youth groups in the area.
At the meeting, the governor recounted some ugly security situations that unfolded in Choba in recent time particularly the killing of a prominent son of the area and a director in the state civil service.
Wike said, “We have made some arrests and police have commended investigation on the security situation. Anybody who is linked to the killing in the area would be brought to justice”, adding that any person detained in connection with insecurity in the area would be brought to justice.
He said that Choba used to be a peaceful community until this recent time and warned that enough is enough.
Wike enjoined the traditional head of the area to convene a meeting with chiefs and other stakeholders in the area to see that peace is restored in the area.
Governor Wike on Saturday announced the establishment of Educational Trust Fund in honour of late Colonel Ken Elemele, a son of the state who fell in Boko Haram, ambush between Yobe and Borno recently. He said that fund would help train the four children of the late officer.
He described the death of late Elemele as a sad loss to the state and the entire country.
Wike who was represented to the event by his chief of staff, Engineer Chikwuemeka Woke, said that the Education Trust Fund would take off with an initial seed money of N30 million.
On same Saturday Governor Wike embarked on an inspection of ongoing projects in Port Harcourt and its environs. Among the projects visited were the Rumuwoji Market popularly called Mile One Market, the Fruit Garden Market and Judges Quarters.
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of work on the project sites and said he was confident that the projects would be inaugurated in the first one hundred days of his second term.

 

Chris Oluoh

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Fubara Tasks Rivers Stakeholders On Political, Economic Emancipation …Commissions NAVAL Training Command Headquarters At Ebubu

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Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the task of emancipating Rivers State and taking it to its desired height of development among the comity of Nigerian states depends on the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the state.
Governor Fubara said this at Ubima, on Saturday, when he attended the burial ceremony of late Madam Cecelia Omehia, mother of Sir Celestine Omehia.
Addressing the leaders of the state who attended the burial ceremony in their numbers, the governor urged them to demonstrate their love for the state by living up to their patriotic responsibilities and make meaningful contributions that will move the state forward.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the service of the state and cautioned against politics of bitterness and animosity, stating that he will not govern the state as an underdog, nor compromise  the interest of Rivers people, no matter the challenges facing his administration.
“Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards. We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.
“And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on the side of truth.
”I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees. If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear state and stand continually on the side of right”, he said.
The governor commiserated with the Omehia family over the transition of their beloved matriarch and urged  them to take solace in the good legacies she left behind.
Sir Celestine Omehia, the chief mourner, in his response  thanked  the Rivers State governor  and his entourage for honoring the memory of his beloved mother, whom he described as a role model, teacher and great disciplinarian.
Earlier on Saturday, Governor Fubara visited the scene of the Friday night inferno occasioned by a tanker explosion that occurred at the Indorama axis of East West Road, causing untold disaster with over 60 vehicles razed and about four lives lost.
Governor Fubara who was accompanied by the  Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, and the state Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, during the visit, expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident and condoled with the families of the victims, assuring that the state government will provide needed assistance to cushion the effects of the tragedy.
“We are here to see for ourselves and get a first hand information of what happened yesterday night.
“I was told that it was caused by a tanker that was conveying premium motor spirit. In fact, I got the information through the MD of Indorama, and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they take control of the security situation in the area.
Governor Fubara, on Friday, commissioned the new Naval Training Command Headquarters at Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara said he was delighted with the transformation recorded in the abandoned facility after it was ceded by the Rivers State Government to the Nigerian Navy on request in 2023.
He pointed out that the relocation of the Naval Training Command headquarters to Rivers State underscores the proficiency of the Nigerian Navy in managing the maritime sector, especially in safeguarding the waterways and  fighting against economic sabotage such as crude oil theft and its associated menace.
Governor Fubara commended the Navy for investing in the training of its personnel to evolve a highly skilled workforce to secure the Nigerian waterways, stating that the new development is a manifestation of President Bola Tinibu’s commitment to building a strong security architecture for Nigeria.
The Governor who assured the support of his administration to the Navy and other security outfits, announced a donation of N350m to the Navy, and urged synergy between the Navy and the host communities in terms of development support and security of lives and property.
“As you go on to put this training command into full service, my charge to you is to ensure that this sprawling facility is effectively maintained and utilized to expand your operations and activities for national security development.
“I further implore you to provide effective security and development support to the host communities, and live in peace and harmony with the civilian population in the local government area,” the Governor added.
In his remark,  the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the continuous support and partnership of the Rivers State Government with the Navy.
Taneh Beemene
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Constitution Amendment: Senator Barau Urges Stakeholders’ Collaboration

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Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin, has called for robust collaboration among all stakeholders to drive the ongoing constitution amendment process to a successful conclusion.
Senator Barau stated this on Saturday at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, in Abuja.
He commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees, saying this will create harmony in the workings of both committees.
Senator Barau assured that the National Assembly will carry out the review of the constitution by a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life through public hearings and collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures and the federal government to achieve consensus on all issues.
“We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.
“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.
“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration and let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation,” he said.
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Makinde Hails Electorate, OYSIEC Over LG Poll Conduct 

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Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has applauded the residents of the state for turning out to vote in the ongoing local government election across the state.
The governor also rated the conduct of the election high, stating it compared favourably with elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The governor stated this on Saturday after casting his vote at Unit 1, Ward 011, Abayomi Open Space, Iwo Road, Ibadan North East LGA of Oyo State.
Addressing journalists after exercising his civic responsibility, Gov Makinde said, “For us in Oyo State, it is almost like a given that democracy at the grassroots is what we practise. This is almost our fifth year in office and we are holding local government election for the second time.
“Before we came in, it had always been caretaker administration at the grassroots without the people having a say in who should govern them.
“You can see around also that the people are going about, performing the exercise peacefully and the traffic restriction is being obeyed by the people. So, I will commend our people for coming out to take seriously democracy at that level.”
The governor, who noted that security report about the election had been excellent, also charged those who observed any untoward development to report same to the security agencies.
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