|
RSG
News
Rivers State Ready to Host 2010 National Sports Festival ~Amaechi
 The
Rivers State Government says it has all it takes to host the 2010
National Sports Festival in Nigeria . To this end, it has requested
that the National Sports Commission grant the state, the hosting
right. Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made this request while
presenting the state's hosting bid to the National Sports Festival
Bid Evaluation Committee, when members visited him at Government
House, Port Harcourt . Governor Amaechi, who was represented by the
Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, told the Committee that there was
adequate security in Rivers State , and the state government is
fully prepared to provide security, should the hosting right be
given to the state. “The criminality you hear happening in Rivers
State happens more on the pages of the newspapers” he said, pointing
out that in December last year the state organized a colourful
Cultural Festival that attracted more than two million people from
various parts of the world, and not a single person was attacked. He
contended that the crisis that occurred in Rivers State was not
peculiar to the state, as it cannot be compared to what happens
elsewhere in the country. While describing Rivers State as a land of
fortune, the State Chief Executive said, granting the state the
hosting right would undoubtedly create opportunity for some
Nigerians who have not visited Rivers State, especially young sports
men and women, to do so and tap from the blessings of the land.
Governor Amaechi gave an assurance that Rivers State will not
perform below expectation if given the hosting right, as he recalled
that when the state hosted the event last in 1988, it was adjudged
one of the best and stands a better chance to do more now. Festival
Bid Evaluation Committee Chairman, Mr. Stanley Opaluwah had told the
governor that they were in the state to inspect facilities in
respect of the request by Rivers State to host the 2010 National
Sports Festival. Mr Opaluwah explained that the Federal Government
decided to institute the biennial Sports Festival to promote
national unity, engender passion among Nigerians, expose hidden
talents and ensure healthy rivalry among youths
Rivers People Do Not Indeed Deserve Soberekon's Madness
~Nwuke
The Rivers
State Commissioner for Information, Prince Ogbonna Nwuke has
described as absolute nonsesnse, the statement credited to the flag
bearer of the Accord Party, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, saying it is
“the product of a mind that is not in total grasp of the dynamics of
the progressive changes that are taking place in Rivers State .”
Nwuke who reacted to the statement attributed to Soberekon in an
interview said, “Everyone who knows Bekinbo Soberekon knows he is
incapable of generating resourceful ideas that can take Rivers State
to the next level of growth and development. “The Governorship of
Rivers State is not about showmanship, or about reckless statements
that lack analytical support. It is about taking precise actions
that can end the slum mentality that we have had to live with all
these years, tackling the criminal dimension that has threatened
peace and security of our land, and initiating proper policies which
can firmly produce better educated, better qualified and confident
Rivers people who share the dream of a better organized and
progressive society..” The Commissioner for Information noted that
while most Rivers people and other Nigerians are hailing the urban
renewal programme put in motion by government, men like Soberekon
have, for selfish political reasons, refused to appreciate the
changes that are taking place. “We are amazed”, Nwuke said “a man
who is seeking to be the governor of a state could talk so gullibly.
It is sad. It is evident that he lacks what it takes to articulate
the future progress of our people. For us, this is a proof of what
the Bible says that if you put new wine in old wine skin it would
burst. Soberekon has proved that he does not understand the
challenges facing the generation he seeks to lead.” Nwuke dismissed
Soberekon's claims to providing transportation as spurious, asking
“if this man genuinely feels for the people as he claims where are
the free buses that he bought plying? Here is a man who put a bus on
the road when he ran for the governorship under the defunct SDP and
withdrew same as soon as the dream crashed. The facts are there and
Soberekon knows this is the truth!” “We have had to ban commercial
motorcycle riders in the capital city and we have introduced a
number of new buses and taxis under a private sector driven
arrangement being pioneered by Skye Bank Plc” Nwuke stressed,
explaining, “We are not oblivious of the problems that our people
are facing and we are encouraging other private sector operatives to
put more buses on our roads to alleviate the problem.
“We are
talking of mass transit here, and we now have a new transporter of
Rivers extraction that is prepared to put 400 brand new buses on our
roads. As we speak, 100 buses have arrived and more are being
expected. “This is outside what Skye Bank is doing. What this means
is that our people are beginning to build appropriate capacity and
in so doing they are gradually taking the economic destiny of their
State in their own hands”, he maintained. On the issue of the height
of fences, the Information Commissioner said the Ministry of Urban
Development had been insistent that fences would be two metres high.
“By my own understanding two metres is supposed to translate to six
feet and not four feet as Soberekon wants Rivers people and the
world to believe. Politics is not about lies and it is my hope that
those who aspire to lead would at least tell the truth instead of
peddling lies to score cheap political points.” He added, “I would
not waste precious time addressing the issue of the elections and
who contested or did not contest. The Supreme Court has done so
clearly, providing all the relevant particulars to buttress its
position. “The same man who does not believe in what the Supreme
Court has ruled is in court asking that the judicial process which
he does not recognize harkens to his pleas. It is a misnomer. As the
saying goes those who seek equity must do so with clean hands.”
Amaechi Attends Late Mrs Alaere Alaibe's Service Of Songs
Rivers State
Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has extolled the
qualities of late Mrs Alaere Timi Alaibe, describing her as a
virtuous woman that affected her generation positively. Governor
Amaechi who stated this during the Service of Songs in honour of
late Mrs Alaibe at Opokuma, in Bayelsa State, said her demise was
painful to all those that know her. He told the husband, Mr Alaibe
that his late wife, was loved by many people because of her
lifestyle, noting that late Mrs Alaere Alaibe has touched many lives
within her brief sojourn on earth, especially through her
Non-Governmental Organisation Family Re-orientation, Education and
Empowerment, otherwise called FREE Foundation. He advised the
Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr.
Timi Alaibe to be strong and courageous in bearing the loss of his
wife, so as to be able to support the children effectively, and
prayed God to give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the
loss. Governor Amaechi had on arrival at Opokuma paid a condolence
visit on Mr Timi Alaibe, where he said he received the news of late
Mrs Alaere Alaibe's death with rude shock, and prayed God to grant
the family the grace to bear the painful loss. Responding on behalf
of the Alaibe family General, Stanley Diriyai (Rtd), thanked
Governor Amaechi for coming to sympathise with them at their
critical moment, noting that the visit has reduced the internal
pains of the family. In his sermon at the Service of Songs, Pastor
Wale Adebajo, said death is inevitable and it could come anytime,
noting that late Mrs Alaere Timi Alaibe, had finished her assignment
on earth but enjoined those living to emulate some of her qualities.
The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including
politicians,cClergymen, traditional rulers, captains of Industry,
and members of the entertainment industry as well.
RSHA:
Ad-Hoc Committee On Kidnapping Submits Bill
By Ihuoma
Orjinta
The Ad-hoc
Committee on the kidnapping in Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA)
last week in its 167th sitting submitted its report to the House.
The Ad-hoc Committee Chairman and also Deputy Leader of the
Legislative Assembly, Hon. Hope Ikiriko disclosed that the bill had
passed through necessary processes that would make a formidable law
when passed. He further stated that during the public hearing
experts and stakeholders on security matters made great inputs. He
said the committee came out with recommendations that would aid the
House to enact a good law on kidnapping. Presenting the report, he
described the bill as timely, and opined that the penalty of ten
years imprisonment prescribed in section 354 of the criminal code
for kidnapping was inadequate. Hon. Ikiriko said that the committee
hoped that the bill, when passed into law, would be enforced
diligently, stressing that the bane of most of the laws passed by
the House was the absence of the political will to enforce them,
adding that a section of the bill contradicts the provisions of the
1999 constitution with regard to the right of fair hearing and made
adequate recommendations for punishment of offenders.
Accordingly,
it was recommended that a new section 6(1) and 6(2) should be added
in the bill to read thus; a person who, under false pretence or in
any other way, represented himself to be the person who has been
kidnapped or abducted or who has influence, power, or ability to
obtain the release of a person kidnapped or abducted for the
purposes of obtaining any ransom or reward to extort or extract from
another person anything of value, commits an offence and is liable
on conviction to seven (7) years imprisonment without the option of
fine”, whereas section 6(2) reads thus, nothing in this section
prohibits a person who in good faith believing that he or she can
rescue or obtain the release of a person who has been kidnapped or
abducted, provided he or she has no part in or connection with the
commission of the offence”. It would be recalled that the House
Leader Hon. Chidi Lloyd last year brought a bill on prohibition of
kidnapping for consideration.
Ugochukwu Frustrated Over Tribunal Ruling (ABIA STATE)
The Peoples'
Democratic Party PDP, candidate in the April 14th 2007 gubernatorial
election in Abia State, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu says he is
disappointed with the ruling of the Appeal Court Tribunal sitting in
Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Saka Ibiyeye which declared
Governor Theodore Orji of the Progressive Peoples' Alliance, PPA, as
the duely elected Governor of Abia State after quashing the earlier
verdict of the lower tribunal in Umuahia presided over by Justice
Yusuf Abdulahi which declared Ugochukwu winner of the elections.
Chief Ugochukwu having scored the second highest vote in the
election according to the result made available by INEC was declared
the winner of the election since according to the lower tribunal
Governor Orji and his deputy Comrade Chris Akomas belonged to the
Okija Shrine secret society and also the duo allegedly did not
resign their appointments as Chief of Staff and commissioner
respectively within the mandatory 31 days provided by the
constitution before contesting the election on the platform of PPA.
However, the
Appeal Court in Port Harcourt in a verdict by its Chairman Justice
Ibiyeye stated that the lower tribunal erred as Governor Orji and
his Deputy's non-resignation and belonging to secret society were
not proved beyond reasonable doubt. Governor Theodore Orji has since
described the judgement as an eloquent testimony of the rule of law
in action and promised to carry everybody along in the governance of
the state.
Stalemate in Anambra Over NLC Strike (ANAMBRA STATE)
The strike
action embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC' Anambra
chapter has completely paralysed the socio-economic activities of
the state with schools,government offices and parastatals shutting
down their business offices indefinitely.This followed the demands
of NLC as stated by its Chairman, Anthony Ugozor which included the
15% increase in the salaries of workers as directed by the Federal
Government which has not been implemented in the state,
re-absorption of retrenched workers of the state and payment of
backlog of arrears of pensions and gratuities owed workers in the
state. However, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State in a state wide
broadcast described the strike action as “misdirected and
politically motivated” as the state according to him cannot pay the
new salary structure demanded by the striking workers because of
meager resources. The state commissioner for Special Duties, Chief
Emeka Ojukwu (Jnr.) described the strike as unfair and strange
especially as it is happening when according to him the state is
trying to beef up its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR base.
Appeal Court Ruling: Tension in Ekiti State (Ekiti State)
The Appeal
Court ruling being expected today to decide who won the April 14,
2007 election between Gov. Olusegun Oni of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), and the Action Congress candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi has
brought an uneasy calm in and around Ekiti State. The uneasy calm in
the state capital particularly according to one source is not
unconnected with the anxiety over who retains his/her job in the
event of Oni losing out. Because of this, several prayer sessions
have been held by senior workers in various ministries while the PDP
women wing joined with a three-day fasting and praying led by one
Pastor Adebayo Felix. Adebayo urged the women to keep thanking God
'for victory is sure on Tuesday'. The PDP women leader in the state
Mrs. Ogundipe Modupe said that with the vigorous three day prayer
they have done, they were sure of carrying the day. However, as both
sides remain calm amidst tension, PDP has thrown a first salvo
accusing the Action Congress (AC), that it is panning to import
thugs from Ibadan and Lagos to forment trouble just to create the
false impression that the party is popular.
The accusation
went ahead to state that some PDP top-notchers would have their
houses set ablaze, it stated. Nonetheless, the AC dismissed with a
wave of hand the allegations, noting that its members are quite
civil and are properly organized while working within the confines
and ambits of the law so cannot resort to violence. In a statement
credited to the Head Media Committee, AC Governorship Campaign, Mr.
Yemi Adara Modu, the party stated “the lasted vituperations coming
from the PDP was a product of frustration and fear of imminent loss
of power”. Meanwhile, in a paid advertorial yesterday, the PDP State
Chairman had stated that the AC was wasting its time as it has no
case. But in response, the AC stated this, “We have placed one case
before the judiciary and the PDP has responded, hence we are
at a loss at the propriety of a newspaper trial. It is a pity
that the judiciary and the general public would not give in to the
woe begone antics of Ekiti PDP, which is desirous of holding on to
any flimsy straw to remain afloat”.
Automobile Market … Ladipo Shut Down (LAGOS STATE)
The popular
fairly used automobile spare parts market in Lagos at Ladipo has
been closed down.
Citing
security reports which disclosed that a group of people had hatched
a serious plot to forment trouble at the start of business in the
week, Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Mr. Olatunde
Babatunde Adepitan under whose jurisdiction the market falls decided
to close down the market. The Chairman had told newsmen on enquiry
that sensitive security reports necessitated the closure as he has
directed security agencies to make sure that the market remains
closed. The Chairman however advised people, both traders and
customers and those around the market to remain calm and be watchful
as it is the duty of government to secure lives and properties.
Ultimatum Given Bayelsa Govt. By Youths To Create BASOPADEC (BAYELSA
STATE)
Irked by the
adamant posture of the Bayelsa State Government towards refusing to
create a distinct commission through the 13% derivation fund to be
charged with the infrastructural development of various oil
producing communities in the state, angry youths from host
communities have given a two-week ultimatum to the state government
to establish the Bayelsa State Oil Producing Areas Development
Commission (BASOPADEC) as is the norm in other neigbouring states of
the oil rich Niger Delta.
However, the
state government has always insisted that the creation of the
commission is unnecessary since virtually all the communities in the
state are oil producing but the youths under the umbrella of
BASOPADEC Creation Coalition Forces have threatened to forcefully
stop oil exploration and exploitation activities through every
available means in the predominantly riverine areas if the state
government fails to meet their demand.
Soldiers Warned On
Uniforms (Oyo State)
The General
Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Mechanized Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan
Major-General Lawrence Ngubane has seriously warned soldiers to
desist from wearing their uniforms whenever they were not on
official assignment. It would be recalled that in several occasions
soldiers on sighting civilians in mock-army fatigue uniforms have
often dealt with such perceived offenders. However, this development
has not always been viewed as healthy as it is wrong in a free
democratic dispensation for people not to feel free to wear what
they feel like.
Some as a
matter of fact, wear such garbs in solidarity with the army. That
is, showing that they are in love with the army. Unfortunately,
this effort in praise of the army by civilians has always been
misconstrued by manya young army chaps and as a result resort to
bullying and beating of such civilians. But with this directive,
there would be a limit to such reckless behavious as it will be
foolhardy to be in a civilian dress and pounce on someone who
ordinary wears a look-alike army dress.
Food
Security: Rivers Govt. Partners With World Bank
By Wilson
Uchendu
The Rivers
State Government is partnering with World Bank towards actualizing
food security in the state in line with President Umaru Yar' Adua's
7-Point Agenda. The State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru made this known
in Government House while receiving the consultant on FADAMA2
programme to the World Bank, Dr. Sidi Jammeh who visited the state
to discuss the possibility of Rivers State benefiting from the
on-going FADAMA 2 programme since it did not benefit maximally in
the last FADAMA 1 exercise. The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikuru stated
that the state government is initiating “the process of putting in
place very gigantic agricultural programmes” such as aqua culture
and production of food crops and further said that to help monitor
these agricultural programmes effectively, the governor has
appointed two special advisers. He assured the visiting World Bank
czar that Rivers Government would partner with World Bank towards
ensuring abundance of food and uplifting the economic status of
citizens through assessing the over 250 million dollars budgeted for
FADAMA 2. In his speech, the World Bank consultant, Dr. Jammeh
stated that Rivers State stands to gain tremendously if it harnesses
the benefits of assessing the programmes of FADAMA 2.
FADAMA is an
initiative of the World Bank which helps mainly indigent farmers to
have access to loans and grants by urging them to form cooperatives
for easy accessibility of the loans and grants. In another
development the importance of statistics and data processing towards
helping in decision-making by government were highlighted with the
recent Forum by the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on
statistics and strategics planning tagged “statistics as a vehicle
for economic development” with the special guest Governor Rotimi
Amaechi who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru
maintaining that the time for practical utilization of policies
derived from talk-shops has come. The Deputy Governor maintained
that the forum must not be seen as a usual talk-shop because
according to him, “The problem of Nigeria is not the lack of policy
formulation but that of policy implementation” and further stated
that specific responsibilities would be allotted to specific
individuals in the management of data in the state so as to know
whom to hold responsible in case there are lapses and dereliction of
duty.
A former
Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and
Technology RSUST, Prof. Augustine Ahiazuru who was the guest speaker
on the occasion highlighted the importance of statistic towards the
socio-economic development of a nation and maintained that emerging
global players like China and India could only attain that lofty
heights through proper data documentation. In his speech, the
Special Adviser to the Governor on statistics and strategic planning
Chief Okey Okirie who was the convener of the forum stated that
well-articulated statistics could strongly help in decision making
and domestication of government policies and programmes.
Attempted
Assassination Of “Go Round” Felix Obua ... ONELGA Boils
By Joe Kalu
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni
Local Government Area is said to be sitting on the a keg of gun
powder as a result of tension generated by the assassination
attempt last month on the life of Mr. Felix Obua alias “Go Round”
the immediate past Council Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
According to investigations conducted by this medium there has been
accusations and counter accusations from different political camps
as to the motive behind the killers. This has been a heightened
tension in the area and an air of mutual suspicion amongst the
political class pervades the horizon. At a point, a former
Commissioner in the state and one-time law maker Hon. Elemchukwu
Ogbowu was allegedly accused of pointing accusing fingers at
distinguished Senator Wilson Ake and his elder brother Chief
Godspower Ake, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party
PDP. Despite Mr. Ogbowu's denial as well as the witnesses reported
to be present when he made the accusation, the duo went ahead to
request their lawyers V. M. Uchendu Esq of Mgbechi Chambers No. 79
Ikwerre Rd, Diobu Port Harcourt to write Mr. Ogbowu claiming N500
million for defamation of character.
You would
recall that Hon. Ogbowu and Hon Obua belong to the same camp of the
PDP and are friends also from the same council. Sometime last month,
an attempt was made on Obua's life at the premises of his hotel by
unknown gunmen. He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt
Teaching Hospital, UPTH where it was alleged that Ogbowu in the
midst of other sympathizers while in agony groaned “they have killed
him, they have killed him. We are going to fight in this Local
Government and at the state and I will make the state ungovernable
for Chibuike Amaechi”. There has been no love lost between the
Odili camp of the PDP and the camp of the present administration
inspite of the governor's overtures to lure them. Stakeholders
however, appealed to the camp to thread softly in the overall
interest of the party and the general public as according to one
elder statesman at Omoku who did notwant his name in print “when two
elephants fight it is the ground that suffers”. Meanwhile the
victim, “Go Round” the easy going politician was said to have been
flown abroad where he has been recuperating. A visit to the
multi-million naira “Chrisdera Hotels” owned by the victim shows
that the incidence adversely affected business there as well as
compelled him to beef up security in the area.
Atiku Says Two-Party
System is Better
By Okechukwu
Geoffrey
Former Vice
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
has condemned in strong terms the Multi-Party system of government
in Nigeria saying only two-party system would be ideal for a country
like Nigeria. Speaking to newsmen last Friday at the Port Harcourt
International Airport Omagwa during a visit to the state, the former
VP described the current fifty political parties in the country as a
sham as according to him Nigeria will continue to remain where it is
should it continue to operate a multi-party system of government and
lauded the electoral reform committee for its recommendations
(especially a two party system) for the country among others. He
also debunked rumours making the round that his party (Action
Congress) accepted the unity government put in place by President
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. “For the mere fact that few persons have agreed
to serve in the present administration does not make it a unity
government” Atiku said, using the Obama-led United State government
as a reference point. On the achievement of the Yar'Adua's
administration so far, Atiku said he is not part of the government
and would have nothing to say about its achievements.
On the fate of
Action Congress in the forthcoming 2011 elections and especially to
himself as the party's presidential flag bearer, Atiku said 2011
would tell but condemned the way and manner leaders are being
imposed on the people which he said was responsible for bad
leadership in the country. According to him Nigeria cannot move
forward when it has become obvious that the people cannot chose
their leaders. He also lamented the untold hardship meted out to the
people especially the youths and said that something urgent must be
done to cushion the ugly trend.Atiku also told newsmen that his
visit to his former boss Olusegun Obasanjo was not bad and wondered
why a lot of people would see it as a taboo. Earlier, the leader of
the Action Congress in Rivers State Prince Tonye Princewill has
thanked the former VP for the visit pointing out that the people
will continue to hold him in high esteem. Meanwhile, the former VP
has described Rivers State as his second home and lauded the press
for the good work they are doing for the country. On the judiciary,
Atiku Abubakar said a lot more needs to be done but lauded it for
what it is doing at present.
LENTAH Foundation Celebrates Valentine with Indigent Oldies
By Okechukwu
Geoffrey
As part of its
resolve to give solution to human needs and touch the heart of the
needy a non-governmental organization popularly called Lolo Ezinne
Ndukwu Touch A Heart Foundation (LENTAH), founded by the mother of
governor Amaechi's wife (Judith), recently celebrated a valentine
get-together for the indigent oldies between the ages sixty five
years and above. In her address at the occasion, the founder of
LENTAH foundation Lolo Ezinne Ndukwu said the mission of the NGO was
to give concerted response and solution to the basic human needs and
problems that are facing many people in their daily lives especially
the marginalized, those living with HIV/AIDS and the abandoned in
the suburbs of our cities and villages. She also gave reasons why
she and other board members chose valentine period to host the
get-together. Amongst them she said, were to co-operate with the
government in its effort to touch the lives of the poor masses,
inform, educate and create awareness on the need for people to show
love and kindness to the old in their midst, reach out to the aged
in all the Local Government Areas in Rivers State, unite the entire
people of Rivers state in trying to make a difference in the lives
of thousands of the aged, correct the erroneous impression people
have of the valentine day as a day of amorous love affairs,
drunkenness, partying and other frivolities.
Lolo Ezinne
Ndukwu also disclosed that the attitude of giving to people in need
started when she was a little child and promised to continue to give
as she recalled how the foundation gave out gift items and cash to
about 50 old poor people who were drawn from the seven wards that
make up Amucha, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State during the
celebration of her 70th birthday of November 2008. She however,
thanked His Excellency Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, his wife Judith,
Dakuku Peterside and other members of the board of trustees for
their support and concern in making the valentine get-together a
huge success. Speaking, chairman of the occasion Chief O.B. Lulu
Briggs represented by his son Dumo Briggs described the act of
giving to the needy as the easiest means of success in life. Chief
Briggs who tasked all to live an innocent and truthful life while on
earth however lauded Lolo Ezinne Ndukwu for her lofty dreams which
he said was made possible through hard work. Another speaker who
described giving as a panacea to success was the commissioner for
Urban Development Hon. Osima Gina. LENTAH is a char |
