RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FREE BUS SERVICE FOR STUDENTS

The Rivers Government, on Monday, announced that plans were underway to provide a free bus service for students in the state.

The Commissioner for transport, Mr Dagogo Fubara, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

He said the service would begin before July, noting that the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of students in their bid to go to school.

Fubara explained that buses would take off from Borikiri to Mile 3 and take back students after school.
He said the service was strictly for students, stressing that students must be in their school uniforms to
enjoy the service.

The commissioner stressed the need for students to be orderly and disciplined while benefiting from the
service.

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I will run for presidency under PDP in 2019 – Lamido

Former Gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa on Monday, said he would contest for presidency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019.

Lamido made this known to newsmen in his village – Bamaina – in Birnin-kudu Local Government Area of the State.

He, however, said a party’s ticket was not given to anybody on the platter of gold, adding that a candidate must earn it.

“If my party finds me worthy of the party’s presidential ticket to serve Nigeria, I will thank God and oblige.

“Although there are issues in the party that we are all working to resolve, we hope to have success soon and come out united.

“As I’m talking to you now, we are working silently to resolve our differences and bring back to our fold those that left the party for APC”, he said.

The former governor held that the internal crisis in PDP was the reason for its defeat in 2015 general elections.

He said that the party had the capacity to rule the country again but the members must work hard to achieve that.

Lamido denied any rift between him and his successor, Gov. Muhammad Badaru of APC.

He stated that both of them had mutual respect for each other and he had no differences with him other than political ideologies.

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Nigeria drivers’ licence expiration extended to five years

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, weekend said the Federal Government had approved the extension of the validity period of Drivers’ licence to five years.

 The Corps Marshal explained that this was part of communiqué reached by the Joint Tax Board at the end of its 134th meeting held in Kano. The Corps Marshal in a chat with Transport Editors in Lagos, said rather than Drivers’ licence expiring in three years, drivers now had the option of settling for either three or five years licence.

 But he noted that those who wanted the five years drivers licence would have to pay slightly more. He noted that while drivers were expected to pay N6,000 for the three years’ licence, those who opted for the five years’ licence would pay N10,000.00.

According to him, the Board had approved an optional validity period for Drivers’ Licence of three and five years respectively at different cost to provide more efficient and effective service delivery to its customers.

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WORLD MALARIA DAY - From Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike

WORLD MALARIA DAY: APRIL 25TH, 2016.

World Malaria Day is an international day observed on 25th April of every year  in celebration of the gains made in the fight against malaria and to further mobilize action of combating the burden of malaria through education and understanding of causes, treatment and prevention of malaria.

World Malaria Day is one of the 8th official global public health campaigns currently marked by World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO fact sheet of 2015 shows that there were about 438,000 deaths caused by malaria in 2015 within the African continent and is still the leading cause of death among children under five, giving us reasons to further take more pro active actions in the fight against malaria.

Malaria is a life threatening blood disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. Once the infected mosquito bites a human and transmits the plasmodium parasite, those parasites multiply in the host's liver infecting and destroying the red blood cells which may result to death if not promptly and properly treated.

Symptoms of malaria can be classified into two categories. Uncomplicated and severe malaria.  In cases of uncomplicated malaria, likely symptoms are cold, shivering, fever, headache, vomiting, seizures (which occurs in children), tiredness and sweat. These symptoms can be easily detected and treated with proper prescription of drugs or injections by certified medical personnel.

But in cases of severe malaria, clinical and laboratory evidence of vital organs dysfunction is shown which can be very fatal if untreated. Symptoms include fever, chills, impaired consciousness, multiple convulsions, deep breathing and respiratory distress, abnormal bleeding, anaemia etc. Death becomes inevitable if not handled urgently. 

The growing concern that the current spate of drug and insecticide resistance is a threat to the frail gains in malaria control over the years and Rivers State being a flat plain region of Nigeria with network of rivers and creeks in most of our communities which favours breeding of mosquitoes, gives us enough reasons to intensify efforts of ending malaria.

Malaria is preventable. It can be prevented by sleeping with insecticide treated bed nets. Long lasting insecticidal nets have proved to be one of the least expensive but most effective weapon in the fight against malaria. It is unfortunate that most of us ignore the importance of sleeping with treated bed nets as a way of protecting ourselves from mosquito bites that cause malaria.

Just like I will always emphasize, keep your environment clean. Dirty environment and dirty drainage systems with stagnant water serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Use effective mosquito sprays in rooms before going to bed. Mosquitoes that transmit malaria are most active at night and as such, we should endeavour to stay indoors (mostly children) before dusk and dawn. Most importantly, we should do regular medical check ups to know our status even when symptoms have not shown.

It is worthy to state that defeating malaria is critical to ending poverty and improving maternal and child health. Less malaria means healthier societies, increased attendance at work, schools etc. Malaria still needs to be given more attention due to its negative impact mostly on our children, pregnant women and their unborn babies.

I therefore call on all  stakeholders in the health sector, governmental and non governmental organizations, well meaning citizens of our dear Rivers State and indeed, the entire Nigeria, to reinforce efforts of reducing the burden of  malaria in our State in particular and the Nation at large.

Don't just watch people die of malaria. Let us all unanimously participate in ending  malaria for good today!

God bless and keep you and your families.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON,
The Governor of Rivers State.

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WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY - Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike

World Book and Copyright Day is a yearly event celebrated on April 23rd and organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is aimed at encouraging everyone and in particular, the  young ones, to discover the pleasure of reading books.

A book is a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations which cuts across cultures. It is a force for creating and sharing wisdom and knowledge. Books create the door way to mutual respect and understanding between people across all boundaries and differences.

The idea for celebrating this day originated in Catalonia where 23rd April was St George's Day. A rose was traditionally given as a gift for each book sold. It is also symbolic for World literature for on this date in the year 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Ca Garcilaso de larega, all died.

Today's observance gives us an opportunity of re-emphasizing the importance of imbibing the reading culture. Reading is an activity which is done over a period of time in order to acquire knowledge, skills and positive attitude. It is a fundamental building block of learning and enhancement of the general development of man and his society.

No nation can develop without its people developing the right reading culture. Besides, reading makes a man and it helps to develop the mind to be informed, thoughtful and constructive, with better understanding of issues, events and situations. It has the capacity of boosting one's self confidence and depth in perception and discernment. That is why it is often said that if you teach a child to read, you have made him a king.

Personally, I find reading very calming. It is a habit that not only improves your diction and expand your vocabulary, it also has the power to transport you to places you may never physically visit and have experiences you may never have the opportunity to encounter first hand. Reading allows you to understand and accept other people better and especially for children, it is a good way to discipline them by keeping them still for a while.

Unfortunately, the reading culture is declining everyday in Nigeria, especially among the younger generation who are of course, our future leaders. This has continued to have an adverse effect on the nation's literacy rate which is currently at 48%. It must be realized that no nation can develop without its people developing the right reading culture. And for Nigeria to realize its quest for sustainable development, emphasis must be placed on developing the reading culture in the people.

It is so sad seeing our students and youth daily losing interest in reading and spending more time watching home videos, partying and surfing the internet to the detriment of reading good, enlightening and educational books whilst most of the older ones amongst us are constantly occupied with the quest for material acquisitions which has eroded the desire to search for knowledge. At this point, I  must  state that every knowledge a man needs to develop himself and his society has been deposited in books. It is only available to those who search for it. The greatest treasures in Iife are in books.

As part of the celebration of this global observance day this year, I have mapped out plans of visiting primary and secondary schools in turn, to further create the awareness and encourage Rivers young boys and girls on the importance of inculcating the reading habit.

And because writing cannot be divorced from reading, I also intend to organize essay competitions in the future with attractive prizes which will involve students at different levels and also professionals in order to boost our passion for writing and reading. I just may have a little surprise myself in sometime to come. We will see about that.

Just like the Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai once stated, "our books and pens are the most powerful weapons", let us start reading today to secure our tomorrow!

God bless and keep you and your families.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON,
The Governor of Rivers State.

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Saraki rejects new clerk of Nationl Assembly

Senate President Bukola Saraki has directed the national assembly service commission to withdraw the appointment of Sani Omolori as acting clerk of the assembly.

The appointment of Omolori was announced on Wednesday, but he was to assume office on May 13, replacing Salisu Maikasuwa who will commence his pre-retirement leave on May 14.

But in a letter written by Isa Galadau, chief of staff to Saraki, to Adamu Fika, chairman of the commission, and seen by reporters, the senate president said he was misled and misinformed by Fika.

He opined that Benedict Efeturi, deputy clerk of the national assembly, who once acted as clerk, ought to have been the head of the bureaucracy of the legislature based on seniority.

“We present to you the compliments of the president of the senate and chairman of the national assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON. Please recall that during your last meeting with the senate president on April 20, 2016, the procedure of the appointment of the acting clerk of the national assembly was discussed,” the letter read.

“The commission was directed to follow due process and ensure that seniority is adhered to. Of course, Mr Benedict Efeturi who is deputy clerk of the national assembly (DCNA) and who has previously acted as the clerk of the national assembly should be the first to be considered.

“The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives were informed that Mr. Efeturi was not considered for the appointment because he was not duly appointed as deputy clerk of the national assembly.

“On further enquiry, we found out that he was duly appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission vide extract from minutes of its 403rd meeting held on Friday, 21st November, 2014.

“From the foregoing, you have misled and misinformed the president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives.

“Consequently, I am directed by His Excellency, the senate president, to inform you that the letter appointing Mr Sani Omolori as acting clerk of the national assembly be withdrawn immediately for further consultations.”

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EZE EJIKE WALI AS THE ROYAL FATHER OF THE DAY AT YOUTH-LEAD AFRICA PROJECT 2016

His Royal Highness, Eze Ejike Princewill Wali; the Eze Oha Okporo 1 and the Paramount Ruler of Mgbuesilaru Community, today attended the YOUTH-LEAD AFRICA PROJECT 2016 Conference organized by the Student Union Government (SUG) Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

Eze Ejike who was the Royal Father of the day in his speech, thanked the student union government for finding him worthy of being the royal father of the day. 

The Eze who told a story of how a bicycle repairer trained all his children to university level, whom later became rich men and changed the history of their family and a rich man’s children that later became drug addicts and could not graduate from the University. Advised the students to take their studies very serious and always remember their parents that have sent them to school and try as much as possible to make them proud and happy at the end of their studies.

He also made a pledge to help the organizers of the programme to continue with the next phase of the project.

Eze Wali while speaking with Newest Rivers Reporters also advised the student to shun cultism totally, to be self determined and be focused.

He ended up by thanking the Governor of the State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON for restoring the lost glory of the University.

The Acting SUG President Comrade Nnaa Faith B. and the SUG Secretary General who is also the convener of the Programme Comrade Nsirim Emmanuel, in their separate speeches thanked the delegates and members of high table for being part of the project and advised the students to take whatever knowledge gotten here serious.

Others dignitaries at the programme were the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University; Prof. Blessing Didia who was represented by his Personal Assistant, the Dean of Students Affairs Chief (Dr.) Isaac Zeb-Obibi and others.

The Keynote speaker was Dr. Sorbarikor Lebura and the Guest Speakers where: Pastor Wisdom Osiri, Allen Nwaka, Pastor Uche Onucheru, Maple Dappa, etc.

The Programme was indeed a huge success as students we spoke with testified to have been inspired and promised to apply the knowledge gotten from the programme into reality.

Kudos to the organizing committee and to Comrade Kelvin Amadi the Chairman of the organizing committee for the success of the event.

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