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Continue Your Dev Strides, Stakeholders Tell Wike
Stakeholders made up of traditional rulers, elder statesmen, politicians, clergies and youth have urged Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to continue in his developmental strides and not be distracted over the recent election tribunal judgement.
The stakeholders bared their mind shortly after Wike intimated them of current political developments in the state and his quest to continue delivering on his electoral promises.
Senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, Thompson George Sekibo commended the governor for his doggedness.
“This is the first time when a governor will come out on behalf of those elected and defend them with the best lawyers”, he said.
Sekibo while quoting some scriptures to back his views, observed, “we are on the side of God, this battle is for God, and because we have God, victory will surely come.”
He further enjoined the governor not to be distracted as the people are behind him.
On his part, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi Ibani, on behalf of the state lawmakers, thanked the governor for the vigour he displayed in pursuing the election matter at the tribunals.
Ibani stressed that the tribunal judgment will not discourage the Assembly from discharging its duties, while expressing hope that a favourable verdict awaits them at the appeals.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, while calling party faithful to be steadfast, stated that the current political challenges are a ploy by the ruling party to weaken the opposition.
Secondus warned against any action that will divide the party, as he advised members against spreading false information and rumours.
In his words, “We must stand up for our right so that we don’t go back to bondage.”
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandison Douglas Jaja pledged the support of the traditional rulers to ensure peace in their domains.
Jaja said that maintaining peace across the various localities was the responsibility of traditional rulers, and is also a “God given assignment.”
Former minister of transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, lauded Wike for his courage to appeal the judgement, noting that since assuming office, the governor has displayed zeal and focus towards moving the state forward.
Sekibo added, “so far, so good. Your Excellency, you have done well. We as Rivers people need to stand together and protect the interest of the state because the collective interest should supersede the interest of a few.”
While urging the governor not to rest on his oars in getting justice from the appellate courts, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J. Okocha, remarked that, “the elections have come and gone, and we are satisfied that we did not make a wrong choice.”
Okocha further charged the governor not to allow the current political developments to discourage him from governing the state, as according to him, “the Constitution and the Electoral Act give you powers to rule Rivers State until the appeals are exhausted.”
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Barine Wifa, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that the people are ready to defend the mandate given to the governor, while calling for the review of the present federal system, which he said, was lopsided.
The former governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, urged the governor to build on his achievements.
Omehia opined that the interest of the state was paramount, adding that, “what is important is the development of Rivers State, and all of us have a duty to move the state forward.”
Speaking for the clergies in the state, Venerable Richard Opara, harped on the need for peace, saying, “let them allow peace to reign in Rivers State, no matter who is exercising power today, power comes from God.”
The former Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Bright Amaewhule, said Rivers people have put all behind them, and are looking forward to a favourable verdict at the appeals.
Amaewhule enjoined all party faithful not to lose hope but to work hard to consolidate on the mandate of Governor Wike.
Earlier, Chief Nyesom Wike had dissociated himself from all negative statements regarding the recent nullification of his election as governor of Rivers State attributed to him by the media.
“In the past two days, you may have read on the front pages of newspapers where it was said that I used terms like “Judicial terrorism”, and “Judicial gang up” . I never said so. I never authorized anybody to speak on my behalf as far as that issue is concerned. When we had our thanksgiving last Sunday, I did say that we must not cast aspersions. People should control themselves and know that if you believe in God, you have nothing to fear,” Wike admonished.
Wike explained that people may have reacted to court ruling in different ways, adding that if one is dissatisfied with a particular ruling, he or she could go to the Court of Appeal to seek redress.
He stressed that even the All Progressives Party (APC) members had appealed the National Assembly rulings that were not in their favour.
He also explained that the paragraphs on crime and violence, which the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal used as part of its judgement to nullify his election, were finally expunged by the Court of Appeal.
Wike remarked that seeking redress in Election Petitions Tribunal is part of the democratic process, and urged everybody to be calm, law abiding and go about their normal businesses and duties, because there is hope.
The state chief executive charged all traditional rulers to maintain peace in their respective domains.
The governor remarked that the spate of kidnappings and other vices in the state were because the state had received new security chiefs such as the new commissioner of police, director of State Security Services, Army, Navy and Air Force commanders, who are yet to master the terrain of Rivers State.
He said they should be supported with vital information when and where necessary because they cannot achieve it without God’s help.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an official State visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Upon arrival yesterday, Shettima was received at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, and other members of the Ethiopian and Nigerian diplomatic corps.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed yesterday, titled: “VP Shettima arrives in Ethiopia for official state visit.”
During the visit, Vice President Shettima will participate in the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, a flagship environmental initiative.
The programme designed to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over a four-year period.
In line with strengthening bilateral ties in agriculture and industrial development, the Vice President will also embark on a strategic tour of key industrial zones and integrated agricultural facilities across selected regions of Ethiopia.
News
RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers
The Rivers State Government has called on the people of the state especially farmers to access the ?4billion agricultural loans made available by the State and domiciled in the Bank of Industry.
This is as the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), a World Bank project, took its sensitization campaign to Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
The campaign was aimed at enlightening community dwellers and other stakeholders in the various local government areas on the RAAMP project implementation and programme activities.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Maurice Ogolo, said this at Opobo town, Ngo, Port Harcourt City and Rumuodumanya, headquarters of the four local government areas respectively, during the sensitization campaign.
Ogolo said apart from the ?4billion, the government has also made available fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers in the various local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary who is the Chairman, State Steering Committee for the project, said RAAMP will construct roads that will connect farms to markets to enable farmers and fishermen sell their farms produce and fishes.
He also said rural roads would be constructed to farms and fishing settlements, and warned against any act that will lead to the cancellation of the projects in the four local government areas.
According to him, the World Bank and Federal Government which are the financiers of the programme will not condone such acts like kidnapping, marching ground and other acts inimical to the successful implementation of the projects in their respective areas.
At PHALGA, Ogolo asserted that the city will benefit in the areas of roads and bridge construction.
He noted that RAAMP was thriving in both the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Lagos and other states in the country, stressing that the project should also be given the seriousness it deserves in Rivers State.
Speaking at Opobo town, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, the project coordinator, RAAMP, Mr.Joshua Kpakol, said the programme would reduce poverty in the state.
According to him, both fishermen and farmers will maximally benefit from the programme.
At Ngo which is the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, Kpakol said roads will be constructed to all remote fishing settlements.
He said Rivers State is lucky to be among the states implementing the project, and stressed the need for the people to embrace it.
Meanwhile, Kpakol said at PHALGA that RAAMP is a project that will transform the lives of farmers, traders and other stakeholders in the area.
He urged the stakeholders to spread the information to their various communities.
However, some of the stakeholders at Opobo town complained about the destruction of their farms by bulls allegedly owed by traditional rulers in the area, as well as incessant stealing of their canoes at waterfronts.
At Ngo, Archbishop Elkanah Hanson, founder of El-Shaddai Church, commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for bringing the projects to Andoni.
He stressed the need for the construction of roads to fishing settlements in the area.
Also, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state and Okan Ama of Ekede, HRH King Gad Harry, noted that storage facilities have become necessary for a successful agricultural programme.
Harry also stressed the need for the programme to be made sustainable.
In their separate speeches, the administrators of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, pledged their readiness to support the programme.
At Port Harcourt City, the Administrator, Dr Arthur Kalagbor, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City, Mr Clifford Paul, said the city would support the implementation of the programme in the area.
Also, the administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter, represented by Mr Michael Elenwo, pledged to support the programme in his local government area.
Among dignitaries at the Obio/Akpor stakeholders engagement is the chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM Eze Chike Wodo, amongst others.
John Bibor
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the commencement of personnel audit and skill gap analysis across all cadres of federal civil servants.
The president gave this directive in Abuja, yesterday, while speaking at the International Civil Service Conference, reaffirming his resolve to achieve efficiency and professional service delivery in the civil service.
“I have authorized the comprehensive personnel audit and skill gap analysis across the federal civil service to deepen capacity. I urge all responsible stakeholders to prioritize timely completion of this critical exercise, to begin implementing targeted reforms, to realize the full benefit of a more agile, competent and responsive civil service,” the president announced.
Tinubu further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to prioritise data integrity and sovereignty in national interest.
He called for the capture, protection and strategic publication of public sector data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
“We must let our data speak for us. We must publish verified data assets within Nigeria and share them internationally recognized as fruitful. This will allow global benchmarking organisation to track our progress in real time and help us strengthen our position on the world stage. This will preserve privacy and uphold data sovereignty,” Tinubu added.
President Tinubu hailed the federal civil service as the “engine” driving his Renewed Hope Agenda, and the vehicle for delivering sustainable national development.
He submitted that the roles of civil servants remain indispensable in modern governance, declaring that in the face of a fast-evolving digital and economic landscape, the civil service must remain agile, future-ready, and results-driven.
“This maiden conference is a bold step toward redefining governance in an era of rapid transformation. An innovative Civil Service ensures we meet today’s needs and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.
“It captures our collective ambition to reimagine and reposition the civil service. In today’s rapid, evolving world of technology, innovation remains critical in ensuring that the civil service is dynamic, digital” the President said.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack in her welcome address told the President that his presence and strong words of commendation at the conference has renewed the morale and mandate of public servants across the country.
Walson-Jack described Tinubu as the backbone of driving transformation in the Nigerian civil service, and noted that the takeaways from past study tours undertaken to understudy the civil service in Singapore, the UK and US under her leadership, is already yielding multiplier effects.
Walson-Jack assured Tinubu that her office, in collaboration with reform-minded stakeholders, will not relent in accelerating the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, FCSSIP 25.
She affirmed that digitalisation, performance management, and continuous learning remain key pillars in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery across MDAs.
Walson-Jack reaffirmed that the civil service is determined to exceed expectations by embedding a culture of innovation, ethical leadership, and citizen-centred governance in the heart of public administration.