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2019: FG Plots To Frame Me Up, Wike Raises Fresh Alarm …Says EFCC Inviting Contractors To Probe Projects …Fakorede’s Orderly, SARS Operative Nabbed For Armed Robbery

Published

8 years ago

June 11, 2018

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has alerted Nigerians that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has contacted a Lebanese who has been directed to claim that he received money from him (Rivers State governor) to procure arms for the 2019 elections.
The governor has also alerted Nigerians on the arrest of the orderly of Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) Commander, ACP Akin Fakorede and another SARS operative for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service in honour of the Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, yesterday, at the St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Diobu, Wike said that the APC-led Federal Government has entered a devious mode where it believes that framing opponents would enhance its political fortunes.
Wike noted that initially, Nigerians thought he was playing politics until former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed details of how the desperate APC-led Federal Government plans to frame him up.
“The Federal Government has arranged with a Lebanese to say that I told him to buy arms for the purpose of the forthcoming elections.
“I am not close to any Lebanese, let alone giving money to anyone to buy arms for elections. We have dutifully served our people, and we don’t need to purchase arms for elections.
“If elections are held 20, 000 times, we will win because our projects have positively impacted the lives of our people”, Wike said.
The governor stated that the Federal Government was also planning to sponsor crisis in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 elections, for the state’s election to be postponed, stressing that the target was to use security agencies for rigging purposes.
“They plan to cause so much crises in the state so that Rivers election is held on a separate date. Their plot will fail. Rivers election will hold same day with that of other states,” the governor added.
Speaking further, Wike said that most of the kidnappings and armed robbery in Rivers State were masterminded by SARS operatives under the leadership of Fakorede.
He said that the arrest and detention of the SARS operatives prove their involvement in criminality against the people of the state.
The governor alleged that the Police Orderly of the Rivers State commander of SARS, Sergeant Ndubuisi Okoro, has been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping while another member of the Rivers State SARS commander’s team; Sergeant Christopher Abakpa has also been arrested for the same crimes.
Wike said that he was alerting Nigerians because the Police High Command may likely sweep the matter under the carpet.
The governor said that the two SARS operatives run a kidnap and armed robbery gang of eight persons, alleging that the arrested policemen have already confessed to their crime.
He disclosed that the state government was in possession of the statements made by the arrested operatives who kidnapped one Mrs Eva.
On the thanksgiving service, the governor thanked God for preserving the life of Chief Azubuike Nmerukini.
Earlier, the Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, said that he was in church with his family to thank God for surviving a major surgery.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the embattled All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has started inviting contractors executing projects in the state to inquire if the projects were real.
This is even as the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe has said that Rivers State was lucky to have a governor who was committed to transforming the state through the execution of pro-people projects.
Speaking during the commissioning of Sani Abacha Road in GRA, Phase 3, Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike regretted that the EFCC and the failed APC-led Federal Government were working desperately to distract the Rivers State Government.
Wike said: “EFCC are now inviting our contractors to inquire if the projects we are executing are fake or real.
“Instead of encouraging us to continue with our good works, they are working desperately to distract us. EFCC should go to non-performing states.
“I want to tell our contractors that we are not afraid because we are doing the right thing for the people of Rivers State”, the governor said.
He explained that Rivers State was witnessing real development; hence the government was confident to invite prominent Nigerians with pedigree to inspect and commission key projects.
The governor urged the people to protect projects in their areas, warning that the state government would not tolerate street trading on newly constructed roads.
Wike said that the reconstructed Sani Abacha Road has created the right environment for businesses to thrive, and commended business owners along the route for supporting the contractor by supplying their workers food.
He urged workers in the state to continue to pay their taxes for the administration to deliver more projects for the people.
Commissioning the project, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe stated that he was happy that the state where he grew up was being transformed through prudent management of resources.
Achebe said: “This is home-coming for me. I am a stakeholder in this city. I have businesses here. I grew up in Abonnema as a young child.
“Rivers State is very lucky to have Governor Wike. In three years, the Rivers State governor has achieved a great deal of projects.”
He described Wike as a man who makes a promise and works assiduously to keep his promise, adding that the governor was also a man of passion and commitment.
The traditional ruler prayed God to keep the Rivers State governor so that he could leave distinct legacies for the people.
“Port Harcourt is so new. Port Harcourt has been renewed. This particular area was so swampy. I was offered a plot of land here for N1million, and I rejected it. Today, everything has changed around here”, Achebe said.
Also speaking, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Noble Amadi said the road was impassable until Wike intervened with his magic touch.

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.