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Wike’s 2nd Term Inauguration: RSG Unveils Activities …Wike Pledges Focus On Security, Agriculture
The Rivers State Government has confirmed that preparations are now in top gear to ensure a befitting second term inauguration of Chief Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State and Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo as Deputy Governor of Rivers State, on May 29, 2019.
It would be recalled that May 29, 2019 would also mark the 4th anniversary in office of the Wike administration.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, yesterday, indicated that the events would start on Thursday, 23rd May, 2019, with a variety night with the governor at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre at 7pm.
“This will be followed Friday, 24th May, 2019 by a novelty football match at Sharks Stadium at 4pm.
“A Thanksgiving Church Service will come up on Saturday, 25th May, 2019 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium (formerly Liberation Stadium), Port Harcourt at 9am,” the statement said.
According to the statement, “A public lecture and book presentation will hold on Monday, 27th May, 2019 at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt at 10am
“On Wednesday 29th May, 2019, the Inauguration will hold at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt at 10am while the Inaugural/4th Anniversary Banquet (restricted to invited guests) will take place later in the evening at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt at 7pm,” Okah added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has advised the numerous beneficiaries of the various Rivers State interest-free loans to be prudent with the money given to them to advance and expand their businesses in order to improve their living conditions.
This advise was given in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
According to Okah, so much was expected of the beneficiaries of the traders and young entrepreneurs loan scheme because the bedrock of any economy was the active participation of small scale players in the economic chain of any society.
The commissioner explained that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike believed that the private sector should be encouraged and given a boost to drive certain sectors of the economy as it was impossible to engage everybody in the public sector of the state.
“It is for this reason that the state government approved the interest-free N500million doctors’ loan; N100million monthly revolving interest-free loan to civil servants; N200million revolving interest-free loan to traders and young entrepreneurs”, Okah said.
“The successful performance of these loans will give the necessary vigour and translate to a positive economic growth for the good of the people and our state”, Okah added.
It would be recalled that the state government had earlier paid the sum of N500million to women petty traders to support their businesses.
Similarly, the governor had also given some N200,000 to N300,000 to each of the traders at the Fruit Garden Market in D/Line area of Port Harcourt, whose shops were razed by fire late last year.
Some of the traders, who were affected by the inferno got higher grant while he government also gave financial support to those who trade along the road and were not affected by the unfortunate fire outbreak.
Meanwhile,the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that his administration would focus on security and agriculture during his second term.
Addressing journalists after projects’ inspection, last Monday, Wike added that his administration would also continue to develop the education and health sectors.
The governor said, “We believe that security is important and we believe that agriculture is key to making sure that we take our youths away from the streets.
“While we are continuing with education and health, security, agriculture and environmental sanitation will be given priority attention.
“Port Harcourt must not continue the way it is. People trading on the streets make Port Harcourt dirty. Cleaning up the city will be a special project. We will not allow Port Harcourt to continue to be dirty.”
Wike said that his administration would be very decisive on stopping street trading in the state capital and its environs.
The governor said during his first term, the administration started from the beginning because it was laying foundation which was absent at the time he took over.
Wike inspected the Real Madrid Football Academy, Judges’ Quarters and the Fruit Garden Market.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the project sites, adding that the projects would be commissioned after his inauguration for the second term.
The governor took out time during the projects’ inspection to interact with school children near the Real Madrid Football Academy and the Fruit Garden Market.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has sacked the Commissioner of Power, Hon Shedrach Chukwu.
The governor directed the sacked commissioner to submit all government documents and property in his possession to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Power.
This was contained in a statement by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, last Monday evening.
It would be recalled that the governor had before now, suspended some commissioners, including those of works, finance, among others, for non-performance.
He had also sacked some for the same reason, warning that his administration would not tolerate appointed officials who were not ready to deliver on their assigned mandates to meet the yearnings of Rivers people.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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