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Unity Road: Andoni Monarchs Pass Confidence Vote On Wike …As Gov’s Approval Of Allowances Excites NYSC
The Andoni Area Traditional Council of Chiefs has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Chief Nyesom Wike for the continuation of work on the Andoni section of the unity road despite the recent kidnapping and released of expatriates working on the road.
Chairman of the council, His Majesty, King Aaron Miller Ikuru who said this at a thanksgiving service at the St. Simon’s Anglican Church Ikuru Town said that the traditional rulers are grateful to Governor Wike that despite the kidnapping incident, work was not stopped at the Andoni section of the road.
King Ikuru who is also the Okan-Ama of Ikuru Town said that the gesture was indication of Governor Wike’s love for the Andonis and the entire Obolo nation.
The monarch also thanked some prominent Andoni sons among who are; the National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus, the Speaker, Rivers State of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi- Owaji Ibani, the State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Zacheus Adango and the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Paul Lawrence Paul for playing crucial roles in the timely released of the expatriates.
Meanwhile, King Ikuru has appealed to cultists in Andoni to either lay down their arms or leave the area.
He said that the security agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute any youth who is involved in cultism.
According to him, the thanksgiving service was to appreciate God for ensuring the timely released of the expatriates
In his sermon, the Vicar, St Simon’s Anglican Church Ikuru Town, Venerable Wisdom Edighotu urged parents to live up to their responsibilities of bringing up their children in the ways of the Lord.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has approved the immediate payment of monthly allowances to Corps members serving in the state with effect from July, 2019.
It would be recalled that the immediate past All Progressives Congress-led administration in Rivers State had stopped the payment of allowances to corps members serving in the state.
But speaking, last Saturday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area during an interaction with corps members, Wike directed immediate payment of the allowances from this month.
Wike said: “As from July, 2019, the state government will begin the payment of allowances to corps members. The state coordinator should send the list and account numbers of corps members to the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“Recall that the allowances were stopped by the immediate past administration. If I had started payment before the elections, they would have said I was playing politics. Now, I am no longer seeking another term”, he said.
Wike also directed the resumption of the posting of some professionals to ministries with shortage of manpower.
The governor donated an official Prado Jeep to the state coordinator of NYSC, a transformer to power the camp, and ordered the furnishing of the hostels constructed by the Rivers State Government, just as he further directed the immediate reconstruction of the road to the camp.
Wike inspected the 5,000-capacity auditorium being constructed at the Permanent Orientation Camp by his administration.
At the ongoing construction site, the governor directed the immediate cessation of the illegal levies being imposed on the contractors by youth groups in the area.
He charged the host community to support the contractor to deliver on the project, while the contractor should engage the youth in the supply of materials for the project.
In his remarks, NYSC Rivers State Coordinator, Mr Chinwendu Chukwu, congratulated Wike on his victory at the polls, adding that his victory was a testimony that Rivers people appreciate his outstanding projects’ delivery.
Chukwu appealed to the Rivers State governor to continue to promote the welfare of corps members in the state, and also address some immediate needs at the NYSC Orientation Camp.
Highpoint of the interaction was the celebration of Wike by the corps members who sang with his name.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene