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Amaechi, Other Mentally Challenged -Wike …As Rivers SEC Approves 2018 Budget
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that national development has been stunted because of the cluelessness and incompetence of ‘mentally challenged’ ministers such as the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The governor said the recent ranting of Amaechi confirms that his mental status was degenerating very fast.
He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, when the management of Silverbird Group presented his nomination letter as the Silverbird Man of the Year, 2017.
According to him, “Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has a serious mental case. This is what makes it difficult for him to appreciate the seriousness of security issues.
“That is the kind of people that we have in the federal cabinet. With such people, it is impossible for the country to make progress. He needs urgent medical attention”, Wike argued.
Wike said based on Amaechi’s logic, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to resign because of the nationwide breakdown of security, insisting that national security was the direct responsibility of the President.
He described as ridiculous the false allegation by the former Rivers State governor that he armed the perpetrators of the Omoku killings.
The governor wondered why the minister would prefer to blame him for the killings in Omoku, while refusing to blame the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors of Lagos, Benue, Kwara and Kaduna states for killings in their states.
He stated that all the heads of security agencies in Rivers State were nominated by the minister, explaining that if there was any security infraction in Rivers State, the minister should seek information from his nominees who serve as heads of security agencies.
Wike said that Amaechi has deep-rooted connections with cultists, having sponsored a cultist rusticated from the state university as the Rivers APC Governorship Candidate in 2015.
He said: “Amaechi is the one who manipulates the posting of security heads to Rivers State using the Federal Government. They know what they are doing. If they are planning anything against Rivers State, they will not succeed”.
On the nomination for the Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 award, Wike dedicated the award to God and the people of the state.
He assured that the New Rivers Vision team will continue to work hard to move the state forward.
Earlier, the General Manager of Silverbird Group, Mr Jacob Akinyemi Johnson, had said that Wike emerged as the Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 after he garnered the highest number of votes online.
He said Wike has been excellent by all standards, stressing that the works of the governor were visible across the state.
The general manager of Silverbird Group said that the governor was nominated following the visit to project sites by the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Executive Council has approved the 2018 Budget for presentation to the state House of Assembly.
Addressing journalists after the first State Executive Council meeting for 2018, last Wednesday, in Government House, Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said that the council extensively discussed the drafts of the 2018 Budget from all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said that modalities have been concluded for the formal presentation by Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the floor of the Assembly.
Speaking further, he said that council frowned at the situation where some communities fail to protect public infrastructure.
He said communities that allow government infrastructure to be destroyed will face the consequences.
Okah also informed that communities that fail to protect contractors executing projects will lose such projects.
He said Wike assured that the administration will continue to deliver quality projects and programmes that will improve the lives of Rivers people.
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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.
John Bibor & King Onunwor
