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Amaechi, Others Bag NAWOJ Awards
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has been selected as the recipient of the year 2013 Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Pillar of Democracy award.
A statement signed by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu (Chairman) and Uchechukwu Akinobi (Secretary) of NAWOJ, Lagos State chapter said Governor Amaechi was picked for his contributions to the development of the country, his accountability in the conduct of politics and governance as well as his decency and integrity in public and social affairs.
“He is a shining example, beacon of hope for sustainable democracy in the country and a pillar of our nationhood”.
The statement described Governor Amaechi as one of the most progressive voices for structured change in Nigeria.
Continuing, the statement said “The award is in recognition of his outstanding achievements in office as governor of Rivers State, his deepening of democracy in the country, his incapability of harbouring prejudice or vengeance and his uncompromising attitude to corruption”
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was also selected as governor of the year for his outstanding accomplishment in tackling the multi-faceted problems of development in Delta State as well as his commitment to alleviating the plight of the ordinary people.
“After a painstaking and critical appraisal of all the state governors and the impact of their programmes on the citizenry, we are happy to inform the general public that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been selected as NAWOJ Governor of the year.
The association praised Governor Uduaghan for the infrastructural development in the state and the diversification of the state’s economy through the Delta Beyond Oil Initiative.
It also identified the health system, transportation, scholarship scheme for students, micro- credit scheme that has affected the lives of people in the state, youth empowerment scheme and public viewing centres as areas that set Governor Uduaghan apart as a leader of vision.
“His accomplishments since he came to power have given succor to the ordinary people and hope to millions.” the statement said.
Similarly, in recognition of her role in adding value and her pragmatic stance in ensuring good governance and management, Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, will be bestowed with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Positive Thinkers Award.
The statement said “Olejeme is slated to be given special recognition for her philanthropy through the You and I Foundation, which has set a new paradigm in social and humanitarian activism in Nigeria as well as her accomplishments in NSITF and other institutions in Nigeria and abroad”
“Her accomplishments have given hope to millions. She is a role model to women politicians and young people in Africa”
Continuing, the statement said “NAWOJ resolved to give a pat on the back’ to Olejeme for promoting the values of hard work and sincerity and contributing significantly to national advancement as well as in the development of Delta State.
Other awardees include a former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande-Adeola.
The event is expected to be co-chaired by Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru and Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke
The award ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Slyva will chair the opening ceremony of the delegate conference on Friday, May 16, 2014 in Badagry.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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