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2019: Dictatorial Tendencies ’ll End In Rivers -Wike …Urges Electorate To Back Promise-Keeping Govt

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that 2019 general elections will be used by Rivers people to put an end to the dictatorial tendencies of political godfathers.
Governor Wike also stated that Rivers politics cannot be controlled by any single politician, because it is not a State in the South-West where a political godfather has usurped the mandate of the people.
Speaking during the dedication of the 2019 PDP Campaigns at the Cathedral Church of Saint, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said if Rivers people allow political godfathers to succeed in planting their godsons, they will suffer the consequences.
“If you allow Rivers State to be like one of the states in the South-West, we will all suffer for it.
“Luckily for us, we don’t speak one language. Therefore, it is very difficult for any leader from an ethnic nationality to control the entire state. In that South-West state, a political godfather says something against a sitting governor and it happened.
“2019 will be the end of dictatorial tendencies in our politics”, he said.
Wike prayed God to grant INEC and the Police the courage to act in line with their constituonal roles during the 2019 General elections.
He said: “The Police should not be professionals in the rigging of elections. We will resist any attempt to rig the elections and the votes of the people must count”.
The governor urged Rivers people to be courageous as they work in unity towards the victory of the PDP in the state.
He said that the APC Federal Government can deploy soldiers to manipulate the 2019 elections, but they will fail as they did in 2015 and 2016 rerun elections.
Wike said that the Rivers PDP Campaign will be issue based, relying on the achievements of the administration to convince the people for another mandate.
He said for every Local Government Area, his administration has planted key projects in line with the New Rivers Development Blueprint.
He said that the PDP decided to dedicate the campaign to God, because it is a tradition that has worked for the good of the party.
The governor called for three days of prayers by Christian Faithful for peaceful and credible polls. He warned politicians against promoting violence during the elections .
Dedicating the campaign to God, Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev Sunday Agwu said that one good term deserves another, adding that Governor Wike has performed credibly with the people’s mandate.
Archbishop Agwu said that people have come forward to thank God, so that he can give Rivers PDP the enablement to do more for Rivers people.
He said: “God has used Governor Wike and the PDP to touch the lives of the people and change their fortunes for the better. Governor Wike and his team have improved the infrastructural sector, health and educational facilities and also empowered the people”.
The Cleric added that God has used Governor Wike to put smiles on the faces of Rivers people. He noted that God has chosen Governor Wike for the leadership of the state .
Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo prayed for safety and victory during the campaign.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on Rivers people to sustain their support for his administration in the forthcoming elections because he has fulfilled his campaign promises.
Addressing journalists after inspecting projects last Saturday, Governor Wike said that it is important for Rivers State to continue with his administration that has executed life changing projects in different parts of the state.
He said that Rivers people don’t need to be deceived by politicians who are from political parties that make promises without fulfilling such pledges.
He said: “This year will still be a year of projects. For us, the goal is to deliver projects and fulfil our promises to the people of Rivers State.
“We will not allow politicking to detract us from the goal of projects delivery and improving the lives of the people.
“Therefore, Rivers people should keep faith with our administration. They should re-validate the mandate they gave us, because we have used our first term to fulfil our promises to them.
Speaking further, Wike said: “They shouldn’t believe in people who will come to tell them what they will do. They should believe in people who are already doing the work.
“Instead of somebody coming to tell them if you vote for me, I will do this. Somebody is already doing the work, they should vote for him. They should stand with the person already delivering the projects”.
Wike stated that he is satisfied with the quality of work at the project sites inspected.
The governor who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Chinedu Tasie and Director General, Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement, Mr Igonibo Emmanuel Thompson visited Judges Quarters, Mile One Market and Fruit Garden Market.

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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

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The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.

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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

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The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.

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NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.

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