Rivers
HOS Warns Against Falsification Of Records
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike (right), in a handshake with Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, during the Prelate’s visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, recently. With them is Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo.
The Rivers State Head of Ser
vice, Barr Rufus Godwins, has warned civil servants in the state against falsification of records of service.
Godwins stated this at Vintage Farm Resorts, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area during a seminar organised by the state Civil Service Commission with the theme ‘‘Repositioning of the Rivers State Civil Service’’.
He noted that falsification of records of service contradicts Rule 020108 (i) (ii) of the Public Service Rules, adding that it is a serious misconduct which could lead to dismissal from service.
Godwins added that pursuant to rule 030402(a) to (w) of the extant public service rule ban civil servants from inexcusable absenteeism, engaging in partisan politics, unauthorised disclosure of official information, violation of oaths of secrecy, divided loyalty and sabotage.
He further explained that the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike is determined to reform and reposition the civil service through training, value re-orientation and meaningful motivation, noting that the caliber and pedigree of persons appointed into the Civil Service Commission clearly show a new hope of exemplary leadership.
In her keynote address, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Roseline Konya, said members and staff of the commission must find ways of improving the service through prompt processing of documents and computerisation of all documents for easy policy implementation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Barr. Oris Onyiri said the Rivers State Civil Service is the first platform with which Wike will achieve the set goals and objectives of repositioning, refocusing and re-energising the state in the march towards human capacity building, wealth creation, infrastructural development, institutional development, safety, security and prosperity for all Rivers people, investors and residents in the state.
He reiterated that the state governor is posited to re-invent the State Civil Service through innovative initiation that will enable the civil servants to create vale and deliver optimum performance at all levels.
Oyiri said this can only be achieved by tackling the dysfunctional system and make Rivers State Civil Service a career hub for Rivers professionals.
‘‘The situation seems hopeless, but what is required of us is to transform this situation and create an environment of trust, competence, sincerity of purpose, accountability and due process’’
Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
