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Fani-Kayode Extols Jonathan’s Virtues …As GEJ, Wike Harp On National Unity
Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan still has so much to offer Nigeria.
The former minister said this when Jonathan hosted a delegation of former ministers still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served between 1999 and 2015.
Fani-Kayode described the former president as a great leader who had encouraged many Nigerians.
“You still have so much to offer this country. The future is great for us, for PDP and this country,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Jonathan had called on Nigerians to pray and work toward the nation’s unity, as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
The immediate past president said that no nation’s economy could grow where there was no peace.
“We should always use this period to know that the unity of the country is paramount.
“We cannot develop as a nation, no matter how people demonstrate, and no president can do magic, if there is tension in the land.
“This is because, immediately there is sense of insecurity in any country, investors will go back, and when investors go back, of course, the economy will dwindle.
“What improves the economy is confidence, and what makes investors to have confidence is peace.
“Nobody wants to invest where there is no peace, except those that invest in arms and ammunition.
“We should all pray and work toward that peace, that is the only way we can grow our economy,” Jonathan said.
He also commended the former ministers for forming the forum and for finding time to celebrate Sallah with his family.
The former president said that he was elated for seeing the former ministers coming together under a unique platform.
“We should begin to reduce the cleavages and fault lines, and form a political body that will look at things with national interest,” Jonathan said.
He, however, congratulated all Muslim brothers and sisters in the country for the successful completion of Ramadan fast and the Sallah celebration.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, said that the delegation comprises former ministers from 1999 to 2015.
Turaki said that the visit was to avail them the opportunity to share with Jonathan issues of national interest.
“Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the efforts you made in moving this country forward.
“Nigerians are still getting more aware of the enormous sacrifice you made to ensure that Nigeria remained together as one indivisible and indissoluble nation,” he said
Meanwhile, the former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appealed to all Nigerians to see the unity of the country as a paramount issue that must not be toyed with.
Jonathan made this appeal while playing host of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Former Ministers’ Forum in Abuja, last Monday.
The former president noted that no country can develop under the atmosphere of insecurity and threat to its existence.
He, therefore, stressed the need for Nigerians to live peacefully with one another, adding that this would help in building the nation’s economy by attracting more investors.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that nobody has the right to issue quit notice to other Nigerians, saying that the country was indissoluble.
Wike stated this while receiving the Rivers Muslim community at the Government House, last Monday during their Sallah courtesy visit.
Nyesom also stressed that despite the social challenges, Nigeria remains united.
The governor said every Nigerian has the right to reside in any part of the country, stressing that nobody was empowered by the law to issue any ethnic group quit notice.
The governor stated: “Nigeria must be one. All of us will live together. All of us are free to do business anywhere in the country. Whether you are from the north, you are free to stay here and do business.
“Nobody should threaten anybody. All of us own this country. We must be our brothers’ keepers”.
Wike said that the unity of the country is necessary for the rapid development of the country.
The governor assured the Rivers Muslim community that he will continue to sponsor them for Hajj as his administration believes in the spiritual upliftment of the people.
He said: “Government will continue to give you support, but we cannot use state resources to build a mosque.
“During the Ramadan, I sent items to all the mosques in the state. We are all worshipping one God, even though we serve him in different ways”.
He stated that the essence of inviting the Muslim leaders to Government House, and particularly the leader of Muslims in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar to the 50th Anniversary of Rivers State was to show respect for the contributions of the Muslim community to the peace and development of the state.
He added that he will be paying a Sallah visit to the Sultan, yesterday (Tuesday).
In his response, the leader of the delegation of Rivers State Muslim Community and Vice President, Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Awelebe Nasir Uhor, expressed appreciation of the community to the Rivers State Governor for his monumental strides in efforts to develop the state.
He commended the governor for promoting religious tolerance in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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