Second Republic Politician, Stephen Ejueyetsetsi Aganbi, bows to death at 99

….Itsekiri leaders, National Assembly Member mourn

Chief Stephen Ejueyetsetsi Aganbi, the Olare-Aja of Koko, will be remembered as a modern and progressive community leader, a committed citizen and one of the most effective leaders in the history of Nigeria’s Second Republic. Aganbi died Tuesday night. He was 99.

The death of the international lawyer, renowned politician, Itsekiri community head and Baptist Deacon was announced Wednesday morning.

‘Chief Stephen Ejueyetsetsi Aganbi died Tuesday night at home in Koko’’ a statement in Koko, headquarters of Warri North said.

‘’We have lost the unique focus of our community and festive light in our lives, but the inspiration of his self-confidence, cheerfulness and determination will live on in our hearts forever’’

The statement described Chief Stephen Aganbi as an icon of dedicated and upright public and private service, a man amongst men and one of the nation’s greatest political leaders.

Specifically, the statement praised Chief Aganbi for his roles in the unity and development of the country, particularly the Itsekiri nation.

‘’Chief Stephen Aganbi was a quintessential Nigerian. Throughout his political years, he proved to be an honest and courageous administrator. He also added charisma to education and astuteness both of which he displayed at difficult times’’ Business mogul, Mr. Felix Aganbi said

Trained in the United Kingdom, the Second Republic Politician, lawyer, community leader and chairman of defunct Nigerian National Shrimp Company Limited, Oghara was on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 conferred the Alare Aja (community head) of Koko by the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

 ‘’Chief Stephen Aganbi dedicated his life to the empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of the Itsekiri nation will never be forgotten’’ Felix Aganbi said.

Before ascending the throne, the late community head had distinguished himself as a lawyer, politician and religious leader.

‘Chief Stephen Aganbi was more than a political leader. He loved the company of children and younger persons. He was both a father-figure and mentor to people from all parts of the world. Indeed, he was a living legend. May his soul rest in eternal peace’’.

The chieftain of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) recently decried the abandonment of some health care facilities in Warri North.

He called on DESOPADEC to develop all health care facilities in Koko.

Meanwhile, the member Representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi on Wednesday paid glowing tribute to Aganbi who he said played key roles in the nation’s development.

He described Aganbi as a great man whose wealth of knowledge and advice will be greatly missed by all.

‘’Pa. Aganbi was a lawyer per excellence, a community leader and a lover of God’ the lawmaker said.

Similarly, a former chairman of Warri North Local Government, Chief Francis Maku-Eyituoyor described Stephen Aganbi as a defender of the faith.

‘’We are encouraged and inspired by the example of Christian Service’’ he said

Credit: Henry Ovie

Eze Faults Wike Over Claims that Amaechi didn't Execute Projects as Rivers Governor

... Exposes Amaechi's projects that are the Source of the Refund Wike is currently Demanding from FG

... Tasks the Rivers Gov. to be Humble, Learn Real Art of Governance &  Performance  from Amaechi & Acknowledge His Uncommon Feats

... Says Wike is Mr. Minor Projects.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a one time close associate of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has described the request by the Governor from the Federal Government to refund a whopping sum of One Hundred and Eight Billion Naira (N108B), allegedly spent on executed Federal projects by the administrations of Dr. Peter Odili and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, without acknowledging the key projects on which the sum was expended is unfortunate and quite disheartening.

In a statement made available to media houses, Chief Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People's Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, stressed that as Rivers Governor, Governor Wike is entitled to request for funds that he feels can be used to better the lots of Rivers people, but in doing so, he must enlighten the public on the source of securing such fund because as a matter of fact, it was same refund he connived with the administration of Dr. Jonathan Goodluck to deny the people of Rivers State in order to punish Rt. Hon. Amaechi, the then Governor of Rivers State that he is currently requesting from the administration of President Buhari which Amaechi and others risked with their lives to install.

The need for Wike clearing himself on this is imperative as he is aware that he has not constructed or improved any of the Federal Roads begging for attention within the state that will warrant such a boast he exhibited while conducting the Federal Government Agencies who came to monitor the roads the construction of which he is demanding for a refund.

It is on record that immediately Governor Wike assumed office in 2015, his only major program was to portray Dr. Amaechi as a man who misused Rivers resources and never achieved anything throughout his eight years. If Wike's assertion is true, on what ground is he asking for refunds of monies used on federal projects executed by Amaechi.

The party chieftain challenged Gov. Wike to tell Nigerians the circumstances behind his moves for a refund.

"If Gov. Wike is to be taken seriously, I challenge him to tell Nigerians who saved up that money for Rivers State before he can begin to ask for a refund".

Eze highlighted that save the Airport Road, constructed by Dr. Odili's Administration, all other road projects showcased by Governor Wike were executed by the administration of Rt. Hon. Dr. Amaechi. The same Amaechi he accused of doing  nothing.

Eze noted with sadness that throughout the six years of the administration of Dr Jonathan, as the President of Nigeria, all the pleas of Amaechi for the refund of this monies fell on deaf ears, based on the influence of Mr. Wike, then Junior Minster, incharge of Education

The party chief expressed joy that the Federal Executive Council has sent a verification team to the state to confirm and verify Federal Projects executed by the Rivers State Government to warrant the request for refund. He agreed with Governor Nyesom Wike, that the Federal Government would refund the state resources used to execute federal projects in the State, but tasked the governor to be truthful to fact that none of those projects was either initiated nor completed by his administration, because he has not shown any vision as a serious Administrator.

Eze expressed optimism that the Minister of State for Education, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who led the Federal Government Team will write a positive report on River State, not regardless that the projects inspected were not done by the present administration.

Eze is very hopefully that the APC led Federal Government will consider the impact of Rivers State in the economy of Nigeria and effect the refund not minding the unwarranted threat by Governor Wike, that If FG refuse to refund , he will raise alarm and tell the world to help him and ask why he is being denied the refund.

According to the governor "now we are talking of governance and we need these funds to do more projects for our people. He has given us assurance that the Federal Government will effect a refund this time around”. It is shameful that Wike has forgotten so soon that he was part of the plot to deny the State a refund in the first instance.

Eze averred that some of the projects executed by the Odili's and Amaechi's administrations inspected were the over 41.26 kilometre dualisation of the Airport-Isiokpo-Elele/Omerelu road, the reconstruction of Ikwerre road from Education to Agip flyover junction, construction of flyover at Agip-Rumueme-Abacha roundabout and the construction of flyover on East-west road at Obiri-Ikwerre, with rotary turning and service lanes. Other projects inspected include - Eleme junction flyover and interchange and Ada George road phases one and two.

Eze maintained that the efforts to erase the uncommon feats of Amaechi in the construction of modern Rivers State notwithstanding, Amaechi has remained a hero so far as governance is concerned in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

ENDS

Long Live APC!

Long Live Rivers State!!

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria

Long Live President Muhammadu Buhari

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

Help the Hard worker: “Mama Put” vendor emerges winner

Help the Hard worker: “Mama Put” vendor emerges winner

Lidia Thelema Soberekon has emerged winner of the February edition of the “Help the Hard worker” monthly competition organized by a non-governmental organization, Princewill’s Trust for entrepreneurs, youths and Rivers residents who are engaged in micro business ventures and all forms of hard work in Rivers State.

Miss Lidia, a graduate of Linguistics Studies from the University of Port Harcourt emerged the winner of the keenly contested competition for the month of February beating over three thousand contestants who participated in the competition.

Receiving the cash prize of One Hundred Thousand Naira at the Rumuoikini Central market where she sells food like rice, beans and stew popularly called “Mama put”, the very elated Lidia who is also the first female winner of the competition thanked the Princewill’s Trust for the gesture which she noted came at a time she was in need of funds to upgrade her business.

The Kalabari born Linguistics graduate turned food vendor further noted that, it has always been her dream and desire to own a restaurant for native Rivers foods and delicacies as a business, hence her venture into it last year to not only fend for herself but to also create jobs. She therefore called on youths in the state to be creative, endeavor to engage themselves in productive activities and not to wait for white collar jobs which are not as available anymore.

Also on ground to also receive the team from Princewill’s Trust was Mr. Chima Chukwu the youth Leader of Rumuikini who thanked the Trust for recognizing and picking a resident of their community as the winner of such a laudable programme aimed at assisting small scale business to grow. He further noted that he was going to spread the good news all over the community and also encourage the indigenes and non- indigenes alike to participate fully in future editions of the competition which he described as real.

Speaking on behalf of the Princewills Trust, Bar. Ken Sarowiyo stated that the aim of the Trust is to contribute to the economic development of Rivers State and called on the winner to make judicious use of the money in upgrading her business. He noted that it was very apt that a woman had finally won the competition and had done so courtesy of a Mama Put now that Mama Put has been formally recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary and Google. He reiterated that Princewills Trust has a special place for the voiceless and encouraged more women, more youths and the disabled to enter the contest.

Credit: Princewill’s Trust Media Team