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RSG Inaugurates C’ttee On Norkpo, Ogu Boundary Dispute
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a 20-member Technical Committee to wade into the Norkpo/Ogu Boundary Dispute as part of deliberate efforts to entrench peace and development in the area.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who is the chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission said on receipt of a letter from Norkpo community about the alleged seizure of their farm land by their Ogu neighbours, the Rivers State Boundary Commission invited stakeholders to a meeting on July 13, 2017, where both communities signed an undertaking to keep the peace.
According to Banigo, a second meeting was convened on August 17, 2017, where a report was made that some construction work was going on in the disputed land, which is a violation of the peace pact.
This action, the deputy governor said necessitated the setting up of an inspection team which visited the disputed area on August 27, to assess the situation on ground, and came up with the recommendation that a technical committee be set up to bring about lasting peace in the area.
Banigo, who re-echoed Governor Nyesom Wike’s desire to develop all nooks and crannies of the state, advised members of the technical committee to work within the terms of reference to pave way for peace and development in the area.
The terms of reference of the committee include hearing and receiving of presentations from parties that will assist in the resolution of the dispute, advise generally on the boundary between Norkpo in Tai and Ogu community in Ogu/Bolo local government areas.
The committee is also to determine and trace the boundary line between Norkpo and Ogu communities in line with necessary valid documents/instruments as may be presented before the technical committee.
The technical committee is also expected to work within a reasonable budget in line with the present economic realities and submit its report within three months.
In his response, the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Chief Silas Eneyo, who thanked the deputy governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state, said the committee members were aware that boundary matters were very delicate, and promised to carry out the assignment with utmost diligence and honesty.
The committee has Dr. Silas Eneyo as chairman, with Surveyor Noel Elenwo, Egerton Madume, Albert Sogules, Esv Ogah George, D.P.O. Tai LGA, D.P.O. Ogu/Bolo LGA, DSS, Ogu/Bolo, DSS, Tai LGA, York Francis Newton, Victor Haliday, Chief Festus Tanza, and Prince Paul Aminikpo as members.
Others are Barrister N.J.A. Ikeka, Surveyor Andy Nwikinane, Chief Spiff Taribo-Amgbara, Chief Anthony Ibifuro Tamunonime, Chief Samuel Ibisiki-Mgbeka, Prof. Sika Orupabo, and Barrister Abraham Derefaka.
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
