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‘Accidental Public Servant’ … Book For Every Nigerian –Amaechi

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Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says “The Accidental Public Servant”, a new book written by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, is a book every Nigerian needs.

Governor Amaechi said this yesterday during the launching of the book at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, lauded the intellectual prowess of the author, pointing out that “this is one book every Nigerian needs. It will help us avoid the mistakes of the past and do the right things.” He congratulated the former Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the successful publication of the book.

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, eulogised Mallam el Rufai for being forthright; noting that “the book is a product of so much courage and intellectualism,” urging political office holders to justify the confidence reposed in them by performing well while in office.

Governors of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, and Gombe, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, all commended the intellectual sagacity of the author, describing him as “a deeply family man, quintessential public servant” and “a man who has made us proud to be Nigerians.” They noted that the book “is a welcome book, a book about projects that failed and projects that succeeded,” while lamenting corruption in the nation’s public service.

Chairman of the occasion and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, noted that “Nasir is a man that is difficult to describe, given his many parts,” praising his intelligence, radicalism and non-conformist approach to issues, advising public office holders to write and keep records of their activities while in office for posterity.

Speaking, the book reviewer and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, stated that “in writing the book, Nasir has made a transition from a political activist to a statesman,” observing that “the book is about faces, cases and places, telling the story of the unforgettable years.” He pointed out that the book makes a case for equal application of laws to everyone, regretting that “impunity has become the bane of Nigeria’s socio-political development,” noting, however, that the book contains factual errors.

In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Book Presentation Committee, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, said “Nasir is a quintessential non-conformist,” stating that “his fearlessness to withstand opposition defines his personality,” noting that the author deployed intellectual rigour in writing the book, pointing out that the book traverses the nation’s public sector.

Before then, eL-Rufai had explained, “My hope is that you people will elicit on some of the things we did in government that were right and many of the things that we did that were mistakes.

“I think that lessons are learnt when additional memories are protected, when people learn from what works and what doesn’t work and personal mistakes and errors of leaders.

“That is how to build a nation; that is how future generations learn and this is why I wrote the book, I don’t think we should have the conspiracy of silence about how our government is being run, I think we should talk openly about it, celebrate what we did right and admit where we made mistakes and name names so that people will know that when you are in leadership position, history will judge you, that is what is my biggest motive here,” he said.

Meanwhile, former  Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday picked holes in the books Accidental Public Servant by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, stressing that the book could be described as a fiction for self-glorification at the expense of truth.

According to Atiku Abubakar, what the former minister requires at the moment was prayer rather than anger. The attack is coming barely twenty four hours after the book was formally presented to the public at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

The former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissed the book, just as he said that it was a collection of fiction, half-truths, exaggeration and reflection of selective memory.

In a statement from his media office yesterday, ‘’Atiku Abubakar was particularly piqued by the claim of el-Rufai that he had almost resigned as the former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) because of alleged persistent pressure and interference by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was then the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.

‘’Atiku’s Media Office expressed disbelief that the former FCT minister forgot soon what he said at the Senate public hearing on BPE on August 8-13, 2011. That adhoc committee was headed by Senator Ahmed Lawan.

‘’It recalled el-Rufai as saying that he had special relationship with former President Obasanjo, which gave him direct access and the discretion to bypass the Council on Privatisation headed by Atiku in order to get the approval of the President.

‘’The Media Office wondered how el-Rufai could reconcile his threat of resignation with the accounts he told the Senate about the latitude of freedom he enjoyed at BPE because of his closeness to former President Obasanjo.

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Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers  …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service 

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The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.

 

He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.

 

 

 

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.

 

 

 

Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.

 

 

 

The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.

 

 

 

Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.

 

 

 

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

 

 

 

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.

 

 

 

The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.

 

 

 

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

 

 

 

He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.

 

 

 

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.

 

 

 

In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.

 

 

 

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

 

 

 

He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.

 

 

 

He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.

 

 

 

The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.

 

 

 

Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.

 

 

 

Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.

 

 

 

Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

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The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.

 

Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.

 

He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.

 

“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.

 

“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.

 

“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.

 

“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.

 

“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.

 

Enoch Epelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute

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Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.

He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.

He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’

Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.

According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.

“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.

“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”

Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.

He,  however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.

On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.

“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.

“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.

He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.

Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.

Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.

Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.

He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.

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