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Let Your Name Open Doors With Life You Lead -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that it is imperative for people to reflect on the kind of life they live and make amends if it will not open doors of better opportunities for their children, and others who have encountered them.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, gave the advice at the funeral service of his late mother-in-law, Mrs Adeline Ndalu Jaja, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the State on Saturday.
The governor noted that it is very disastrous for parents or leaders to conduct their lives without regard to building a good name that will become valuable currency for their children and those who associate with them to use as a lifeline when in challenges.
“We are all here this afternoon to say bye-bye to Mama. But I want you to go home with something. And by the grace of God, I don’t think there will be any counter to the point I will make.
“How do we live our lives? Can we live in such a way that when we are no more, our names can open doors for our children? That is what I want you to go home with,” the governor said.
Fubara noted that “Mama has lived her life, and it has opened a lot of doors for her biological children. Even those people that are close to Mama, when you mention that you know so and so person, doors will open.
“So, I want everybody here to go back and reflect on it. You must live life so that when you are no more, and our children who are left behind mention our names, those names open doors for them. I feel that is the greatest virtue parents should leave for their children.”
He further said that Mama was a good example because she lived a good life, simple, and promoted justice.
The governor declared that his confidence is in God who is the foundation on which his administration is anchored.
He assured that despite the contending challenges, the State and his administration have triumphed.
“I want to thank everyone of you this afternoon, more especially our leaders, true leaders of our dear State. Leaders, because one of the reasons why one is called a leader is your experience and age.
“True leaders are here to support us in these our trial times. I want to thank all of you, and to say, continue to stand for what is right and what is true”, he said.
Fubara expressed appreciation to his brother Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for his show of love by being physically present while he buried his late mother-in-law.
He also thanked the true leaders of the State who have stood with him to promote what is right and to protect the interest of the State.
Fubara particularly acknowledged the fatherly role played by the Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, for ensuring that peace continued to prevail in the kingdom.
In his speech, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, conveyed the condolences of sister States in the region to Fubara, his family and Rivers people for the loss they have suffered.
Diri said it is always sad to have a loved one die, no matter the age, adding that he wished that late Jaja would have lived longer, especially now that her daughter is the First Lady of Rivers State but quickly pointed out that death is a pointer to how temporary life is on earth.
Diri, who attended the burial with his entourage, extended the deepest condolences of government and people of Bayelsa State to the Rivers First Family.
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, read the biography of the late matriarch, which was a testimony of a courageous leader who rose from a humble beginning and disciplined parentage to success, with a career in the Nigeria Police Force that spanned years of active service till her retirement in 1997.
The only lesson at the funeral service anchored on divine atonement and respite for those in grief was taken by Mrs Vanessa Apiafi Banigo.
In his sermon, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta of the Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, exhorted on the need why people should reflect on the life that they live when they behold or hear that someone had died to help them reconcile their life with God.
He drew attention to the promise of a new heaven wherein God has prepared mansions that will serve as eternal abode for those who had lived life of faith in Him, hoping to be where He is.
Bishop Oko-Jaja said only those who die in Jesus Christ have the assurance of rest from their labours in eternity with God.
He said Mama, whose life of discipline, devotion to God, bravery, outspoken nature and peaceful disposition, should motivate everybody to be solutions rather than problems in the society.
Top dignitaries from the political class, business community, traditional leaders, clergies, captains of industry, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, parastatals, commissions, among others, attended the funeral service, which was followed with a reception.
Among other key stakeholders who joined to pay their last respect are: former governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, JSC, (rtd); State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; former National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Senators John Azuta Mbata and Lee Maeba.
Others include former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka; Chief Emeh Glory Emeh; National and State Assembly members from both Rivers and Bayelsa.
Some of the traditional rulers are: immediate past chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja; Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom; and others.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an official State visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Upon arrival yesterday, Shettima was received at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, and other members of the Ethiopian and Nigerian diplomatic corps.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed yesterday, titled: “VP Shettima arrives in Ethiopia for official state visit.”
During the visit, Vice President Shettima will participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental initiative.
The programme designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.
In line with strengthening bilateral ties in agriculture and industrial development, the Vice President will also embark on a strategic tour of key industrial zones and integrated agricultural facilities across selected regions of Ethiopia.
News
RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers
The Rivers State Government has called on the people of the state especially farmers to access the ?4billion agricultural loans made available by the State and domiciled in the Bank of Industry.
This is as the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), a World Bank project, took its sensitization campaign to Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
The campaign was aimed at enlightening community dwellers and other stakeholders in the various local government areas on the RAAMP project implementation and programme activities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Maurice Ogolo, said this at Opobo town, Ngo, Port Harcourt City and Rumuodumanya, headquarters of the four local government areas respectively, during the sensitization campaign.
Ogolo said apart from the ?4billion, the government has also made available fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the various local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary who is the Chairman, State Steering Committee for the project, said RAAMP will construct roads that will connect farms to markets to enable farmers and fishermen sell their farms produce and fishes.
He also said rural roads would be constructed to farms and fishing settlements, and warned against any act that will lead to the cancellation of the projects in the four local government areas.
According to him, the World Bank and Federal Government which are the financiers of the programme will not condone such acts like kidnapping, marching ground and other acts inimical to the successful implementation of the projects in their respective areas.
At PHALGA, Ogolo asserted that the city will benefit in the areas of roads and bridge construction.
He noted that RAAMP was thriving in both the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Lagos and other states in the country, stressing that the project should also be given the seriousness it deserves in Rivers State.
Speaking at Opobo town, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the project coordinator, RAAMP, Mr.Joshua Kpakol, said the programme would reduce poverty in the state.
According to him, both fishermen and farmers will maximally benefit from the programme.
At Ngo which is the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Kpakol said roads will be constructed to all remote fishing settlements.
He said Rivers State is lucky to be among the states implementing the project, and stressed the need for the people to embrace it.
Meanwhile, Kpakol said at PHALGA that RAAMP is a project that will transform the lives of farmers, traders and other stakeholders in the area.
He urged the stakeholders to spread the information to their various communities.
However, some of the stakeholders at Opobo town complained about the destruction of their farms by bulls allegedly owed by traditional rulers in the area, as well as incessant stealing of their canoes at waterfronts.
At Ngo, Archbishop Elkanah Hanson, founder of El-Shaddai Church, commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for bringing the projects to Andoni.
He stressed the need for the construction of roads to fishing settlements in the area.
Also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state and Okan Ama of Ekede, HRH King Gad Harry, noted that storage facilities have become necessary for a successful agricultural programme.
Harry also stressed the need for the programme to be made sustainable.
In their separate speeches, the administrators of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, pledged their readiness to support the programme.
At Port Harcourt City, the Administrator, Dr Arthur Kalagbor, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City, Mr Clifford Paul, said the city would support the implementation of the programme in the area.
Also, the administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter, represented by Mr Michael Elenwo, pledged to support the programme in his local government area.
Among dignitaries at the Obio/Akpor stakeholders engagement is the chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM Eze Chike Wodo, amongst others.
John Bibor
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the commencement of personnel audit and skill gap analysis across all cadres of federal civil servants.
The president gave this directive in Abuja, yesterday, while speaking at the International Civil Service Conference, reaffirming his resolve to achieve efficiency and professional service delivery in the civil service.
“I have authorized the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritize timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realize the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” the president announced.
Tinubu further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to prioritise data integrity and sovereignty in national interest.
He called for the capture, protection and strategic publication of public sector data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognized as fruitful. This will allow global benchmarking organisation to track our progress in real time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage. This will preserve privacy and uphold data sovereignty,” Tinubu added.
President Tinubu hailed the federal civil service as the “engine” driving his Renewed Hope Agenda, and the vehicle for delivering sustainable national development.
He submitted that the roles of civil servants remain indispensable in modern governance, declaring that in the face of a fast-evolving digital and economic landscape, the civil service must remain agile, future-ready, and results-driven.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.
“It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the civil service. In today’s rapid, evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital” the President said.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack in her welcome address told the President that his presence and strong words of commendation at the conference has renewed the morale and mandate of public servants across the country.
Walson-Jack described Tinubu as the backbone of driving transformation in the Nigerian civil service, and noted that the takeaways from past study tours undertaken to understudy the civil service in Singapore, the UK and US under her leadership, is already yielding multiplier effects.
Walson-Jack assured Tinubu that her office, in collaboration with reform-minded stakeholders, will not relent in accelerating the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, FCSSIP 25.
She affirmed that digitalisation, performance management, and continuous learning remain key pillars in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery across MDAs.
Walson-Jack reaffirmed that the civil service is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration.