Rountrip

The Network of NGOs on Peace Building in Nigeria has condemned in strongest terms the security situation in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenure of local government officials.  The group also criticised the All Progressives Congress' (APC) call for a state of emergency to be declared in the state as a "reckless and cynical ploy to exploit the situation for political gain". In a statement signed by its leader, Comrade Johnson Nwogu, the NGOs said the APC does not mean well for Rivers and its actions are a deliberate attempt to throw the state into further chaos and confusion. According to Nwogu, the call for a state of emergency is a thinly veiled attempt to cover up their atrocities in the state ultimately aimed to overthrow the governor.  "The Network of NGOs on Peace Building in Nigeria is deeply concerned and alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenure of local government officials," th...

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has nominated Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the Nobel Peace Prize for saving democracy and eschewing illegality in Rivers State.  The group, in a statement on Tuesday, said the governor was brave, decisive and swift to direct Heads of Local Government Administration to assume responsibility for the 23 council areas. Recall that Governor Fubara ordered elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors to step aside on Monday after the expiration of their three-year tenure. In the statement signed by Dr Markson Martins, the Diaspora group hailed the governor for skillfully avoiding potential criminality and a breakdown of law and order with a view towards a peaceful transition. Martins said Fubara embodies the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize, adding that his unwavering commitment to democracy, stability, and the well-being of his people makes him an inspiration to Nigerians and a shining example for African leaders. Th...

Nigerian Governors have been urged to emulate Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in respecting the Local Government Chairmanship tenure system. The Young Christians' Forum of Nigeria (YCFN) gave the advice in a statement signed by its President, Rev. Simon Pam, on Tuesday. The group hailed Governor Fubara for putting his political differences with the immediate past Chairmen aside and allowing them to complete their tenure smoothly without interference. YCFN said the Governor has set a new precedent for state and local government's relationship in Nigeria, especially as regards power-sharing. The forum added that with people like Governor Fubara at the helm of affairs, Nigerians need not worry about state police and local government autonomy. "Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has demonstrated that he is a true democrat by allowing the immediate past Local Government Chairmen in the state to complete their tenure smoothly without any interference despite their ...

A group of 45 civil society groups under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria for Promotion of Accountability and Transparency in Governance (CCSGNPATG) have thrown their weight behind the proposed Nigeria Shippers Council regulatory agency.  Recall that the Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Shippers’ Council Act and enact the Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill and Related Matter passed second reading in the House of Representatives.  This crucial legislation aims to empower the Nigerian Shippers Council to effectively regulate the shipping industry, protect the interests of shippers, and promote economic growth. Speaking on behalf of the groups at a press conference on Monday,  Patriot Nwogu Ndubisi hailed the  Committee on Shipping Services for its inclusivity, giving stakeholders the platform to make inputs to the bill at a public hearing.  He said the bill will bring much-needed transparency, accountability, and...

The Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress (CMAPC) has warned the ruling party to deal with Hon. Martins Amaewhule and his 26 colleagues in the Rivers State Assembly with kids’ gloves over their denouncement of the party. Recall that the lawmakers had publicly announced their defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC in December, only to deny any affiliation with the party when their mandate was being threatened. In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ezegwu Thomas, the group described Amaewhule and the others as political destitutes with no allegiance to any political organization. Thomas said the same way they denounced membership of the APC, they would do the same to President Bola Tinubu and urged party faithful to exercise extreme caution in dealing with them. “We are compelled to address a pressing matter that threatens the very fabric of our great party. Recent events have led us to sound a note of caution and vigilance to all loyal members of ...

A group, Advocate of Social Justice and Anti-Corruption Crusaders has said it would petition the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to probe the outgoing Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State over wanton corruption allegations. The group in a statement signed by Prince Williams Orji, National Coordinator, vowed to bring the Chairman of Emohua Local Government, Chidi Lloyd, and other corrupt outgoing council bosses under the anti-graft agencies' scrutiny at the end of their tenure. Prince Orji lamented that the level of corruption in the local government councils under Lloyd and his colleagues was unprecedented, emphasising that the council Chairmen have been accused of squandering internally generated revenues, looting the treasury and stealing government properties among other corruption allegations in the last few months. He assured that the group would petition the EFCC and the ICPC for in-depth investigations ...

A group under the auspices of the Ijaw Development Vanguard (IDV), on Wednesday, in Abuja, hailed the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for his outstanding contributions to Nigerians democracy and the development of Rivers State. The group in a statement marking 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, signed by it's President, Comrade Sylva Mark Goodman, commended Governor Fubara for contributing to the growth of Nigeria's democracy by providing dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State and Nigerians living or visiting Rivers State. The Ijaw group hailed Fubara’s giant strides in the area of critical infrastructure, health, education, empowerment, amongst others, which has deepened the belief of Rivers people in democracy. IDV also described Governor Fubara as an asset to Nigeria's democracy for his distinctive style of politicking. "Fubara’s style of politics is rare in this part of the world. Despite the huge distraction from the enemies...