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Repent, Renounce Crime Or… Wike Warns Criminals, Cultists …Promises Changed Cultists Amnesty
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has announced that the state will grant amnesty to criminals and cultists who lay down their arms and embrace peace.
He gave the hint when members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) paid him a courtesy visit yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike also said the state government was working with relevant security agencies to ensure that Rivers State remained safe for investors. He noted that strategies have been put in place to root out criminals from the state.
Consequently, Wike advised labour unions to use strike only as the last option in trade disputes to stem the tide of development challenges witnessed as a result of the frequency of strikes.
Speaking against the backdrop of the suspended NUPENG strike, the governor emphasised that workers should be allowed to unionise so that companies and organisations will be encouraged to always consider their welfare.
He said: “I believe that strikes should serve as a last option for unions during trade disputes. The strikes in Nigeria are getting too many and efforts should be targeted at reducing them.”
The governor further declared that the state government will collaborate with NUPENG as it develops a Tankers Village in Eleme with a view to taking tankers off the highways and generating revenue.
He commended the leaders of NUPENG for calling off their strike following government intervention, noting that the state government has already called on oil companies to reciprocate by recalling the sacked workers.
The governor urged unions to always work towards the development of money spinning ventures, to reduce their dependence on check off dues for survival.
While expressing happiness that NUPENG is developing a tankers village/Tank farm in Rivers State, he directed the State Commissioner for Energy and the Special Adviser on Lands to work with the union to bring the project to fruition and ensure the release of certificate of occupancy for the project site.
Earlier, President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese commended the governor for his development strides in the areas of infrastructure and welfare of workers.
He thanked the governor for intervening in the conflict between the unions and oil companies in the state over the sack of their members.
Achese informed the governor of the tank farm being constructed by NUPENG in Eleme. He appealed to the Governor to facilitate the release of the certificate of occupancy for the project site.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says the State Government is not relenting in its effort to crush criminal elements as it has mandated security agencies to rout cultists and other miscreants in their hideouts.
Speaking while playing host to the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Institute of Architects(NIA) in Government House, yesterday, Wike assured that the state is safe to host international events, citing the successful hosting of the Africa Movies Academy Award (AMAA) Awards and other international football events.
He said, “We are taking the war to the criminals who thought it’s difficult to totally eliminate them”.
Describing insecurity as a global phenomenon Wike added, “ the world today is not safe but we must do everything to protect our people.”
The governor noted that most of the negative media reports about the state were mere propaganda, as he called on the institute to use the visit to confirm the hospitality and peaceful nature of the state.
On the planned West Africa Architects Festival billed for September, the governor assured of the state support to the event and commended NIA for selecting Rivers State as its host.
He reiterated that the state is safe to host international events, disclosing that in the past months, Rivers State has become an investors haven, citing the new Indorama mega fertilizer plant worth over $5billion as a testament of a booming economy.
Wike congratulated National President of NIA, Architect Tonye Oliver Braide, who is the first Rivers indigene to occupy the seat in the 56 years old institute.
On his part, Architect Braide commended Chief Wike for his visionary leadership, noting that the planned West Africa Architect Festival, “ is our statement of support to your enigmatic administration.”
Braide says the festival would help showcase potentials of the state as building professionals from different parts of Africa would attend.
He hinted of plans to partner with the state government to establish a new manufacturing hub for building materials and a new industrial estate to boost the construction industry.
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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