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How Amaechi Embezzled Proceeds From Sales Of Rivers Aircraft, Power Projects -Wike

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5 years ago

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, of embezzlement of proceeds from the sales of the state aircraft and power stations.
He has, meanwhile, offered to resign from office, if Amaechi can mention any federal project he has attracted to Rivers State as a minister since 2015.
Wike stated these at the formal defection of two former chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Davies Ikanya, and Hon. Igo Aguma, as well as other chieftains of the opposition to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The governor explained that Amaechi, who was his predecessor, had claimed that he sold a Dash 8 aircraft purchased by former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili administration to Government of Cross River at the cost of $6million, but has failed to account for the proceeds of the transaction till date.
Similarly, the governor disclosed that through intelligence, the state government was able to trace a second aircraft belonging to the state government that was also purchased by the Odili-led administration to Germany, where Amaechi had clandestinely diverted it to in 2012.
Wike said Amaechi’s reign in office as governor was characterised by financial malfeasance.
To buttress this, the governor maintained that the $308million paid by Sahara Energy to acquire the state independent power projects was diverted by the minister.
In addition, he said that Amaechi had spent $39.9million of state funds on non-existent, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The governor, who cited several projects he attracted to Rivers State while he was minister of state for education under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, challenged Amaechi to emulate him by reviving the moribund Port Harcourt seaports in order to create employment opportunities for Rivers’ youths.
Wike explained that but for his intervention, the former commissioner for urban and rural planning, Dr. Reason Onya, who recently defected to the APC, would have been charged for murder following his indictment by a judicial panel of inquiry that investigated a multi-storey building that collapsed in Port Harcourt, and claimed several lives in 2018.
In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, said that the defection of Dr. Davies Ikanya, Hon Igo Aguma, and others marked the formal interment of the opposition party in Rivers State.
Narrating his reason for leaving the APC, which he founded in Rivers State, Dr. Davies Ikanya, explained that he could not, with good conscience, remain in a political party that was built on deception.
According to him, all the expectation that the APC would provide security, create employment opportunities and better life for Nigerians have turned out to be a mere mirage.
Ikanya, who remains the only elected chairman of the APC in Rivers State, said it was regrettable that the party has been hijacked by persons who place their personal interests far above the party.
He used the occasion to apologise to the governor and the people of Rivers State for introducing the APC to the state, which has been peacefully governed by the PDP since 1999.
On his part, the immediate past caretaker committee chairman of APC, Hon. Igo Aguma, accused Amaechi of brainwashing him and others to join the APC.
He called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to immediately investigate the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2016 and 2019.
Aguma called for the prosecution of Amaechi for the mismanagement of over $317million allegedly spent on 1.5-kilometre now abandoned monorail.
APC chieftains who defected to PDP, along with the duo include Chief Ogbogbo Nnamdi; Hon. Isobo Jack (former caretaker chairman, APC); Barrister Paul Nwankwoala (former APC legal adviser); Hon. Faaye Franklin; Chief Andy Nweye (pioneer spokesperson of APC); Hon. Alamese Martins-Yellow; Hon. Ilamabo Mirila; Dr. Moore Oja-Chinda; Hon. Benibo Anabraba (former minority leader, Rivers State House of Assembly); Hon. Alphine Whyte; and Hon. Wisdom Wakama (former minority leader, Rivers State House of Assembly).

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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