Monday, 25 December 2017

Hon. Rotimi Amaechi holds a crucial meeting with Kalabari APC Leaders

Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi holds a crucial meeting with Kalabari APC Leaders

Hon Minister of Transportation and State Leader of the APC, Rt Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, CON held a crucial meeting with Party leaders from the three Kalabari LGAs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Kalabari leaders during the meeting used the occasion to reinforce their unanimous resolve to work with the former Governor & the APC to take out the terribly wasteful PDP led government in 2019. 

There were two major highlights of the meeting namely: the constitution of the novel Pan-Kalabari Elders Council and the Leadership Committees of the three LGAs.

The Pan-Kalabari Elders Council has Chief Bekinbo Soberekon as Chairman, Engr Beks Dagogo-Jack as Deputy Chairman & Prince Tonye Princewill as Secretary. Membership of the Elders council cut across the three LGAs with notable personalities including Engr. Levy Braide, Mr. Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Lolo Ibieneye, Dumo Lulu Briggs, Charles Ijuye, Prof Owunari Georgewill, Mrs Joeba West, and others. 

The Chairmen of the LGA Leadership Committees are as follows:  Ojukaye Amachree - Asari-toru ; Hon Sokonte Davis, Degema & Mr Christian Don-Pedro, Akuku-toru. The APC State Leader emphasised that Party faithfuls must learn to make personal sacrifice and also resist the temptation for immediate material benefits if they want to win the elections ahead. 

Governor Amaechi informed the audience that the time is long overdue for the leaders in the Kalabari area to unite and rise up against the devastating effects of militancy and criminality on their areas, especially in terms of education, economic activities and quality of life in these communities.  

The Leader also reiterated that, whilst he does not believe in Upland Riverine politics, he believes that after 20 years, the riverine areas of the State should also be given an opportunity to produce the next governor. Nevertheless his position remains that when all is said and done, the best candidate, from the whole State who emerges from the political process shall become the Party Flagbearer. He urged those interested in serving to begin now to work for the unity and strength of the Party in the State.

The Hon Minister, in particular enjoined the Kalabari leaders to go all out and energize their voter base across all Kalabari towns and villages to build a united mass movement in support of the APC for the 2019 elections, reminding them that a United Kalabari formation is critical to realizing their legitimate aspirations.

The meeting closed with the APC Kalabari leaders thanking the State Leader , Rt Hon,  Minister Rotimi Amaechi for convening the meeting and formerly constituting the critical leadership organs for the work ahead.

The APC Kalabari leadership further assured His Excellency that the Kalabari area shall mobilize en masse to deliver the block votes necessary for victory in 2019.

Bro. Felix Obuah Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style

Bro. Felix Obuah Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style
…Raises Foundation In Memory Of Late Dad
The posh Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt was stretched beyond capacity as people from all walks of life gathered on Saturday, December 16, 2017, to celebrate with the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Amechi Obuah on his birthday which was also used to unveil two books.
The titles which were authored by four academic doctors are: 'The Man Felix Amechi Obuah' and 'Life and Times of Elder Bethel Chukujindu Obuah 1931-2016'.
To underscore the significance of the event, Bro. Obuah had the honour to receive as one of his guests, the celebrated Imo State Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo albeit on representative capacity.  Little wonder, it was no coincidence, as Obuah's first name, Felix, means Happiness!
It was an assemblage of the movers and shakers of the PDP in the State, friends, relatives, well wishers and PDP Chairmen from the 36 State Chapters of the Party including Abuja, the nation's capital.
From across the country, the low, high and mighty emptied into the Conference Center to rejoice with a man whose knack for philanthropy, has arguably been adjudged unparalleled.
Chaired by Senator Osinachukwu Ideozu, the occasion had Governor Nyesom Wike who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo as Special Guest; former Governors Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia; with the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani and his deputy, Hon. Marshall Uwom leading the State lawmakers.
Also present were present and former Caretaker Committee Chairmen from all 23 Local Government Areas of the State as well as former Local Government Chairmen.
Not left out of the epochal event were federal lawmakers from the State.  They include Hon. Betty Apiafi, Hon. Boma Goodhead, Hon. Jerome Eke, Hon. Okechukwu Chinda and Hon. Uche Nnam-Obi.
The list of dignitaries also include Secretary to the Government, Hon. Kenneth Kobani, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwe Aguma, SAN; Information Commissioner, Emma Okah; Environment Commissioner, Professor Roselyn Konya; Water Resources, Professor Kaniye Ebeku; Culture and Tourism, Tonye Oniyide among others.
Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba was also there even as a retinue of Governor Wike's Special Advisers and traditional rulers led by the King of Opobo and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, King Dandeson Jaja JP, Jeki V, also registered their esteemed presence.
Others who graced the occasion were Engr. (Dr) Chukwudi Dimkpa, Ag. Managing Director of the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA); Professor Okey Onuchuku, Chairman of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement; Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA); Rivers CAN Chairman, Apostle David Zilley-Aggrey; Senator Lee Maeba; former Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Senator Olaka Nwogu, Chief Ofili Enebeli and the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Dr Emi Membere Otaji.
Speaking at the event which was spiced with artistic performances by some of the finest names in the entertainment industry, the celebrant, Bro. Obuah who is also the President/Sole Sponsor of Go Round FC of Omoku, said the birthday party was a commemoration of the goodness and mercies of the Lord towards him, pledging to continue in celebration as long as he lived.
Bro. Obuah, who spoke amid thunderous chant of 'Mbanabaragu' from the audience, said that celebrating one's birthday is an expression of thanksgiving to God for His guidance, protection and provisions.
With intermittent shouts of 'Go Round' from the joyous crowd, Obuah told the packed audience that dedicating birthday celebration unto God was like sowing a seed to Him, noting that the resultant effect would be 'double, triple, quadruple and endless celebrations from God'.
“I want to say that as long as I live, and God grants me life, I must celebrate”, he declared. Amid wild ovation from the crowd, he went on, “Whoever that is annoyed that I am celebrating should continue to get annoyed because greater celebrations are on the way”.
Bro. Obuah, who is also the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), said he was surprised at the large turnout of guests as according to him; the occasion was intended to be a low-keyed event.
He expressed gratitude to the authors of the books for a job well done, saying he had earlier objected to suggestions from friends to celebrate his birthday for this year, but that the respected academics who authored the biographies said they would use the occasion of his birthday to unveil the books to the public.
“Even when I appealed to the authors that the books should be given to me with a promise to pay for their efforts, they argued that the books were not just for me alone but for the benefit of the public.
“The four academic doctors who authored the books chorused that they would want to eulogize me when I am alive, hence the need to do an open unveiling ceremony”, Bro. Obuah told the crowd.
In a brief citation on the celebrant, the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Political Matters, Chief (Barr) Shadrack Akolokwu described Obuah as a man of great honour who combined the virtues of kindness and generosity.
“His name, Felix means 'happiness' and that is why he takes pleasure in injecting happiness into everyone who comes his way”, Akolokwu stated, adding that that apparently explained the presence at the occasion of a representative of the celebrated Imo State Commissioner for Happiness….
He noted that the celebrant as a student at the then Rivers State College of Education in 1989, emerged the best graduating student in Education, adding that that trait of excellence had marked him as what he called unrepentant promoter of hard work and excellence.
“He is a pacesetter, a political navigator and the man who stabilized the Rivers PDP”, he eulogized Bro. Obuah, adding that his records as ONELGA Chairman remained unparalleled.
Earlier in his address, Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo applauded Bro. Obuah for living a life worthy of emulation, adding that that attribute explained his dogged quest to lead the State PDP to the path of rectitude.
“We are here celebrating a man who is so humble and yet so great. He is zero tolerant when it comes to performance and that is why RIWAMA under his watch has improved sanitation in the State”, she declared, adding that Obuah had introduced many innovations in waste management to return the State to its original Garden City status.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the celebrant on the book and also commended the authors for what she described as a well researched work which has taken a step further in promotion of the cultures of Ogba people.
She also promised that government would institute a foundation in memory of the late Pa Bethel Chukwujindu Obuah who excelled in commerce and industry during his life time.
Bro. Obuah was during the event presented with a plaque and certificate by the Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).  The award, according to the State Chairman of the body, was for his emergence as Outstanding Sports Promoter of the Year following the exploit of Go Round FC in the soccer scene which culminated to its promotion into the elite professional league.
The event which was laden with cultural and musical performances attracted the like of Sky B, Lilly Tavez, Kessy Driz, Happiness Cultural Group, Aba Mass Choir, Body Language, African Vocals, Enugu, Church of God (7th day) Choir, Omoku and the host, Church of God (7th day) Choir, Port Harcourt.
Signed:

Jerry Needam
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity
To The State PDP Chairman,
Bro. Felix Obuah

Osun Exceeds Global Standard for GDP To Infrastructure Ratio - Nigerian Society of Civil Engineers




Osun Exceeds Global Standard for GDP To Infrastructure Ratio - Nigerian Society of Civil Engineers

Civil Engineers have lauded the performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola especially in the realm of ground breaking infrastructural facilities across the State of Osun.

This is coming as the Engineers declared that the administration of Governor Aregbesola has exceeded Global Standard for GDP-to-Infrastructure Ratio with the several completed and ongoing infrastructural projects that ducts the state.

At a dinner of the association in Osogbo, A former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof Olugbenga Aribisala who spoke on the theme "Infrastructural Development: An Index For National Development"  encouraged government to spend 6% of its GDP on Infrastructure.

At the event, the Engineers acknowledged the uncommon record of the Governor in giving Osun the needed infrastructural facelift for economic growth.

Aribisala said that "The Osun State Government has shown a very great example of government funding for infrastructural projects. I want to state here unequivocally that Osun State has exceeded the figure recommended for infrastructure development."

According to him, diversification of the economy will remain impossible without infrastructure.
Also, the National Chairman, Nigerian Institution Of Civil Engineers, Andem Ekpo-Bassey, commended the level of infrastructure development in the state. 

"From what I saw today, it is very impressive to me. There are some projects that are recreational projects, there are some projects which are political projects but there are some projects that are human driven projects. These are the kinds of projects that your Governor has really done."

"As an institution revolving in policy and recommendations, we can rightly confirm that seven years of his government in the state has been numerous number of big civil engineering projects across the State of Osun."

Governor Rauf Aregbesola was at the event presented with an Award of Grand Achiever Of Infrastructural Development.

End

Kikiowo Ileowo

Thursday, 21 December 2017

JUMANJI: Lights up Cinemas across the Nation





 JUMANJI: Lights up Cinemas across the Nation

Dwayne Johnson has expressed profound excitement as he heralds to the world that the new Jumanji movie turns things around as its characters are made to go to the jungle, a sharp contrast to the plot of the original movie where the jungle comes to the characters.

For him, the executive producer and actor (Dwayne Johnson) believes that the spirit of the original Jumanji movie can be maintained. “So, while the jungle came into our world in the original Jumanji, we go into Jumanji in this film,” says Dwayne Johnson.

The strength of this movie lies in many fronts: from the real jungle setting, to exotic plot; from stunning stunts to badass humour; from mind blowing set designing to top of the world cast interpreting head-turning roles, you will simply swoon taking a cinematic dose of this magnificent motion picture wonder. 

Movie trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVD3j_sYzw

The movie’s treatment of characterization comes with such humongous space for self-expression, psychological exploration, and maintains a believable affinity with spiritual and physical realities which many movie makers find daunting to toy with. All the characters are evil with humour even when they seem to be innocently performing an action or verbally responding to a simple comment. One would think that the characters would not be able to respond well because they are trapped in strange bodies. They respond uniquely and personally to the challenges of the roles. It’s not something easy to combine the seriousness of an action/adventure movie with the unseriousness of comedy. Still, the movie is a comedy with plenty of kickass action. 

 “I love movies like this – I’ve always wanted to make a big adventure movie,” Kasdan, the director says.

The characters giving this movie such entrancing liveliness include, Dwayne Johnson who plays the smoldering Dr. Bravestone. Kevin Hart plays the diminutive Moose Finbar, an arms valet and zoology pundit, and Dr. Bravestone’s side kick. His power on set comes from his humour. Jack Black admits this when he speaks of Kevin’s penchant for comedy. “It’s kind of awesome to be in a movie with him, although I did feel some pressure to be funnier a little more often.  It was like, ‘Damn, I’ve got to pump my game up.”  Jack Black plays the role of a teenager in a man’s body. Karen Gillan plays Martha. In the game, she is Rubby Roundhouse, who brings to effective use her terpsichorean and martial inclinations in the interpretation of the role. The interesting twist to the characterization is the fact that each major character is interpreted by two different actors as they are different people in physical world and the world of the game. Wow! The director calls it “a dream cast.”

The movie is released by Silverbird Film Distribution West Africa the licensed representative of Sony pictures releasing international ‎across cinemas in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and December 22nd, 2017. 

Welcome to the jungle. Jumanji is more than a movie; it is an orphic cinematic representation of our lives. You will be pleasantly overwhelmed with its thematic verisimilitude.

Credit: Youtube: Movie trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVD3j_sYzw

Presidential amnesty beneficiaries produce and distribute 1500 bags of rice



Presidential amnesty beneficiaries produce and distribute 1500 bags of rice

The success stories of the Presidential Amnesty Programme beneficiaries just keep coming; this is as it has produced 1500 bags of Rice by 100 amnesty beneficiaries according to a press statement to journalists by Mr. Wabiye Idoniboyeobu, media consultant to Brig-Gen Paul Boroh.

“The beneficiaries during their training and mentorship phases, nurtured, milled and packed 1500”, said Wabiye.

According to him, “The next phase of their reintegration would be their full empowerment. This would entail allocation of land, and necessary rice farming Implements, to the trained Ex Agitators. Over 50 actual Ex Militants are part of this group.”

He made known that “agencies like the Bank of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and the Anchor Borrowers Programme have already keyed into this success story by partnering to support these new farmers moving forward.”

“It is expected that when large scale production starts, the rice produced would be sold in the market cheaper than the normal rice currently to ease the plight of the common man. By this, the success of the Amnesty Programme not only improves the lives of the beneficiaries, but also eases the lives of the public”, Wabiye asserted.