Gov.Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has assured the people of the state of unwavering commitment to providing critical infrastructure required for the speedy development of the state.

Fubara gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen after the inspection of the reconstruction work at the Zonal Hospital in Bori town, Khana Local Government Area.

The governor said that there was no cause to worry over the recent pronouncements of the appeal court.

According to him, there is no cause to worry because God has prepared him a table of blessings in the presence of his enemies.

“I know that a lot of you will be wondering what is going on and all that. Government has its own challenges.

“But there is an underlined word that should be noted there: it said ‘in the presence of your enemies’. So, it means that nothing comes easy.

“I want to assure everyone of you and the good people of Rivers State, that we are not deterred. We have made our promises, we will continue to give you good governance, no matter how difficult it is.

“But, like I said before, the worse is over. We are moving on to ensure that we continue to provide what is needed for the development of our state,” he said.

Fubara stated that healthcare, education, agriculture among other sectors would be his top priority and would be given uncompromised attention and optimal services.

He explained that his administration did not meet any functional zonal hospital, stressing that funds had been released to reconstruct and expand four zonal hospitals to ensure quality healthcare service delivery.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of work done so far by the contractor and urged the construction firm to deliver quality job and on time.

Fubara said that the hospitals, when completed, would meet the healthcare needs of the people within the catchment areas, and address key issues in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and policy objectives of his administration. (NAN)

Hon. Afam  Ogene, Leader of Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, has commended UK’s election process which led to victory for LP over the ruling Conservative Party.

Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency, said the opposition party’s victory should be a tonic for action for the Labour Party in Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Awka on Friday the lawmaker said that the election “tells vivid tales of hope for the opposition, competence and integrity of the electoral umpires in the UK.

The UK opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the country’s general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years in control.

While the Labour Party got 412 seats, the incumbent Conservatives got 121.

Ogene congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain and new Prime Minister, for his party’s victory Rishi Sunak.

Ogene said victory was not only a win for the opposition party in Britain but that of all believers in democraticy, transparency and integrity.

“The process in UK was free of glitches, as about 40 million voters took part, polls closed around 10 pm on Thursday and by daybreak the results were out.

“There was no judicial ambush, as immediate transition took place to the admiration of all lovers of democracy and free and fair elections”, he said.

“If we must practice democracy, we must also love, copy and abide by the transparency and accountability of democratic institutions in nations that allow the rule of law and democratic principles to thrive.

“The British Labour Party’s victory inspires hope and optimism, demonstrating that positive change is possible, when people come together with a unified objective.

“I urge the Nigerian Labour Party to draw inspiration from our British counterparts, close ranks, rally the people, and prepare to take the reins of power in 2027,” he said. (NAN)

A group, the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development said governors in the Northwest need the political will to fight banditry and other vices behind insecurity in the zone.

The Executive Director of the group, Dr Sani Shinkafi made this known in statement in Abuja.

“The problems in the zone require political will and pragmatic actions, not empty rhetoric as obtainable in the past 12 years, which has not changed the narrative.

”The governors should accelerate the development of the zone through education, wealth creation, and social amenities that will impact the lives of the people,” Shinkafi said.

He said that organising peace and security summits and conferences within and outside Nigeria were not the solution to the insecurity confronting the zone, but political will and pragmatic actions.

Shinkafi said it was on record that the geopolitical zone had the largest land mass and 30 per cent of the country total population.

He added that from the First Republic North West zone has produced prominent citizens who have served in various capacities in the federal government, yet the region was grossly undeveloped and lags behind in education.

“The zone has the largest number of out of school children and the highest number of Almajiris, poorly equipped schools, hospitals, bad roads etc. The zone is neglected by past and present leaders.

“Agriculture which is the mainstream of the region is neglected in spite of abundant, fruitful land mass.

“There is no political will to engage in large scale farming. Certainly, there is no commitment from state governors in the region to invest in commercial farming and livestock development.

“The region has abundant solid minerals including gold, copper, rhodium, gem stones, kaolin, berates and lithium.

“Sadly, there is no political will to develop these mineral resources since the discovery of oil,” he said.

Shinkafi said that the recent North West summit on security of life and livelihoods was a welcome development if governors would be spurred to implement people-oriented projects, ensure the security and welfare of the people for rapid development of the zone.

He listed the remote causes of the insecurity in the region to include corruption, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, poor governance, weak judicial system, weak security apparatus;

Porous borders, drug abuse, weak traditional institutions, influx of illegal Fulani aliens through land borders and proliferation of small and lighter arms and ammunition by unauthorised persons.

He said some leaders in the zone failed to invest in education, in building primary and secondary schools, adult education and Almajiri schools, leading to high rate of illiteracy in the region.

He said that if governors of the region were committed in food production by providing tractors, harvesters, sprayers, insecticides, pesticides and farmers credit schemes, the region would feed the nation and export some agricultural produce.

He advised various states government in the region to apply kenetic and non kenetic approaches the fight against insecurity in the region.

“In kenetic approach the military should be deployed to restore peace and security in the region.

“More military operatives should be deployed, well equipped and motivated, community policing should be adopted by equipping state-owned security outfits established by the Act of the State Houses of Assembly with clearly defined duties to support conventional security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

“State governors in the zone should proffer home-grown solutions involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of Fulani association and leaders of farmers association to engage in peace dialogue with bandits who are willing to lay down their arms unconditionally and be reintegrated into the society.

“Social amenities should be provided in most of the Fulani settlements including ranches, grazing reserves, cattle routes, farm settlement, veterinary clinics, portable water, access roads, schools and cattle breeding loans,” he said.

Shinkafi also advised the governors in the region to be proactive and create jobs for the youth to reduce unemployment and poverty.

“Zamfara, Kaduna and Funtua textile industries should be revived along with other small and medium industries. Agriculture and solid minerals in the region should be developed to create jobs.

“There should be  death penalty for armed banditry and related offences duly passed by State Houses of Assembly in the region.

”The judiciary should be overhauled for expeditious prosecution of suspects,” he said.

Shinkafi also advised governors to constitute peace and security trust funds to support security operations in various states including Niger State in North Central which shares border with Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna States.

“The security trust funds should be used to purchase patrol vehicles, pay security allowances, fuel and maintain vehicles, procure communication gadgets etc.”

He called for total overhaul of security agents and operations in the borders with the use of modern security equipment

He said that with the proactive measures peace and security would be restored in the North West geopolitical zone.(NAN)