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Amaechi Expresses Shock Over Frank Eke, Rosebery Briggs Demise …Says Both Were Dedicated Leaders

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Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce on Environment, ASP Bayo Sulaiman (2nd left), Governor Babatunde Fashola  of Lagos State (2nd right) and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef  Ibirogba, (right), during an  inspection of Mosafejo Market in Lagos by Governor Fashola recently.

Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce on Environment, ASP Bayo Sulaiman (2nd left), Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (2nd right) and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, (right), during an inspection of Mosafejo Market in Lagos by Governor Fashola recently.

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described as shocking the recent deaths of two elder statesmen in the state, late Dr. Frank Eke, Eze Gbaka Gbaka of Ikwerre land and Rt. Hon. Rosebery Briggs.

The former was aged 83 and served as Deputy Governor of the state, while the latter was 88 and was a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1979 -1983.

Governor Amaechi spoke when he paid condolence visits to both families on Monday. He described late King Eke, who served as deputy governor of the state from 1979 to 1983, as an astute leader who contributed to the state’s development.

He also said the late politician and monarch showed exemplary leadership qualities during his lifetime and was reliable and trustworthy.

Amaechi recalled that the deceased stood by the state and his government at all times.

“When I heard of his death, I was in Abuja, and I was taken aback. I heard of him when he was a deputy governor. I heard of him (King Dr. Frank Eke) when he was working in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) as a medical doctor. My dad was then working in RSUST as a dispensing pharmacist.

“I met him in politics. I think then he had retired from politics and had become the king of Evo kingdom, and I saw in him a man of great qualities, a wonderful character, a character that very few persons actually have in the country, a character that you see that is full of honesty. You know him as a man that when he tells you ‘I’m with you’, he’s with you”, Amaechi said.

He recalled that the late politician and monarch fought against oppression and injustice and was the voice of the state.

He also recalled the roles the late Dr. Eke played in the Ogbakor Ikwerre, a socio-cultural organization for all Ikwerre people, stressing that his roles were worthy of emulation.

“He fights for his rights. He abhors oppression and injustice. When he became the Eze Gbaka Gbaka, the role he played in Ogbakor Ikwerre Kingdom is worthy of emulation by all of us and his children. He was the voice of the Ikwerre man and he was also the voice of the Rivers man. I don’t know how he managed to be able to speak for Ikwerre and speak for the state”, he said.

Amaechi further recalled the political contributions made by the deceased towards the enthronement of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the country’s President in the 2011 elections.

“He was in the team of the traditional rulers that travelled round the country, soliciting for support for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, and President Goodluck Jonathan won that election. He went to the North despite the fear of Boko Haram. He went to the South-East, and he went to the South-West. I’m sure that if you check his archives, you will see numerous photographs of very important Nigerians that he had met”.

The Governor said the late King Dr. Eke lived a fulfilled life and promised that his administration would contribute to give the deceased a befitting burial.

Responding, the son of the deceased, Dr. Leslie Eke thanked Governor Amaechi for coming and said they were strengthened in their bereavement by the governor’s presence.

Also, Governor Amaechi paid another condolence visit to the family of the late former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rosebery Briggs.

Amaechi said the late former speaker offered good leadership to the state, and lived a very honest life, and pledged that the state would take part in his burial activities.

“You and I, and I’m sure the country will be surprised to know that your husband didn’t die a rich man (addressing the widow). Very few persons go through public office and die poor. It showed you the kind of person that he was, not like now when everybody is carting away money and going. He came out clean and the prayer I have is that God should introduce more of that kind of leadership for us so that the country will grow, not what we are practising now”.

Responding, Barr. Rosebary Briggs Jnr thanked the governor for coming to sympathize with them in their moment of grief despite his tight schedule.

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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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