Featured
Wike’s Zero Tolerance For Administrative Flops
Beyond his serial admonitions to government officials to step up their game with respect to fostering good governance, the Executive Governor of the Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike has demonstrated with action, his commitment to zero tolerance for administrative flops in governance. A key feature of his agenda in that respect is his promptness to respond to public service challenges as and when due. Throughout his first tenure, this trait was clearly manifest in virtually all his engagements, be such in policy articulation, programme implementation as well as project execution. The unmistakable dividends of such a disposition are there for all to see in the quality of service delivery recorded in the harvest of projects and programmes to his credit. Against the determined enterprise of an opposition lobby that was intent to run his administration out of town, Wike prevailed in writing his name in gold as a focused leader that was made of sterner stuff.
In a development that is progressively defining his first term as a learning season, the second term has commenced with tell-tale signs that he intends to run it on a high gear and transform the culture of public service delivery in the Rivers State. This disposition has dawned on some state officials in an uncommon manner, complete with the attendant reverberations. Among the topical instances was the ultimatum given to government operatives were the Andoni Local Government officials and chiefs in June to ensure the release of three kidnapped expatriates working on a development project in the area or face appropriate sanctions. By the same token, he warned other communities in the state that similar response from the government would follow in any instance of administrative incongruences, that put the state in bad light.
Closely following the Andoni case was that of Ogbakiri where a long standing land dispute between the Rumuoro and Okporowo communities was seeding to start another round of inter-communal hostilities between them. Even in this case, Wike read the riot act and left no one in doubt over his disposition towards any flashpoint of crisis across the state. Needless to state that his deft approach to resolution of such avoidable crises in these two cases has rubbed off on many communities that faced similarly incipient tendencies.
However, Wike’s deft and prompt response to public service contingencies manifested in the mainstream public bureaucracy with the recent removal from office of a serving Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Transport, Samuel Eguma, as well as both the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Didia and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Magnus Oruwari, over developments that put the Rivers State in bad light. The circumstances of the recently disengaged officers draw strong connection with the theme of the ongoing campaign to reposition the state as launched by the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, with the hashtag “#OurStateOurResponsibiity”, ably driven by the Permanent Secretary, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim.
In its essence, Wike’s actions so far point to his inclination to redirect government business along the state to the proper setting of responsible service delivery. Public service delivery should rightly be seen by responsible officials and operatives in line with the prompt discharge of stated actions and relevant procedures that would promote public good. Hence, whichever government official in Rivers State that does not share this perspective, is technically misreading the governor’s agenda, and has himself or herself to blame in the circumstance of any adverse consequence of such indiscretion.
With due respect to the public officers at various levels across the Rivers State and even the entire country, every position in the country’s public office has extant rules covering the discharge of the associated duties. Failure in service delivery occurs when officers abdicate their legitimate responsibilities and allow public business to suffer. This is the message of Wike’s agenda for his administration as demonstrated during his first tenure and is in continuum with the second term.
It has been severally advocated that much of the seemingly intractable challenges – particularly that of insecurity facing the country today, are simply latter-day manifestations of issues that were left untreated in the past, and have mutated into more odious forms with time. Had decisive action been carried out as and when due in the past, some of these present day challenges would not be around.
In the same vein, present day pubic officers need to appreciate the need for discretion in their service delivery actions, as such will affect society tomorrow. Ensuring rectitude in the conduct of public business today remains the central message of Wike’s agenda for governance. And he could not have been more justified.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News4 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
News1 day ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics1 day agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers1 day agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics4 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics4 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR