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Wike Gets Accolades Over Pension Approval For 2,673 Retirees
Retirees of the Rivers State Civil Service have commended Governor Nyesom Wike for approving monthly pension for a fresh batch of 2, 673 retirees.
The President, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi made the commendation during the association’s 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Amadi said, “We must also thank God because presently in Rivers State, we are being taken care of by the State Government in terms of monthly pension payment. We hear or know what happens in other places within the country.
“Although we are being paid as at when due, yet there are areas concerning pension payment that we may intervene at an appropriate time,” he said.
According to him, the association comprises of seasoned administrators who have worked in various sectors, hence government of the day stand to benefit from its wealth of knowledge and experiences.
The Director General, Rivers State Pension Board, Ijeoma E.O Samuel, had in a statement made available to The Tide, yesterday, said the latest approval is in addition to the15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the State government.
The statement reads, “The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has graciously approved payment of monthly pension for another batch of 2,673 retirees from the Rivers State public service. This is in addition to the over 15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the Rivers State Government.”
Samuel emphasized that the approval could not have come at a better time, noting that this further confirms that the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to the wellbeing of public servants in the state.
The statement further said the board’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department will soon commence biometric verification exercise for the next batch of public servants retiring between August and December, 2019.
The Director General of the State Pension Board thanked the Governor for fulfilling his promises to pensioners, describing the gesture as a Christmas and New Year gift.
“Finally the Director General congratulated the pensioners and wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the State Government has restated its commitment to the welfare of retirees of the Civil Service, assuring that all outstanding issues of pensions and gratuities would be addressed as many of them were already receiving their monthly allowances.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo gave the assurance while speaking during the 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State yesterday.
Represented by Ben Roberts in the office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Harry- Banigo called on those who were yet to receive their allowance to exercise patients, while charging them to undergo their biometrics in order to be absorbed accordingly.
“It is a good thing to be in the midst of retired Permanent Secretaries of which you all know that Her Excellency is one of you. She has come with a message for you to keep hope alive. To be focused and ensure that you take paramount care of your life, which is of essence. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to see that all the backlog of retirees in the State are paid.
“A Committee was just set-up and the committee has submitted its report. What is going on now is that some of them are still doing their biometrics and many of them are already receiving their monthly pensions.
“Though the payment of some has not been effected, but many of them have been enrolled and they have started receiving their monthly pensions. What most of them are complaining about is the backlog of pension and gratuity. I assure you that very soon it will be addressed and all the issues would be resolved.”
Earlier, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi, said one of the dreams of the body is to organize seminars for retired permanent secretaries to help them live a stress-free life in retirement.
Rev. Amadi further said the association was formed in 2016 during which it set up few issues to address, including enhancing the welfare of its members and relate with the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies.
“The association is also aimed at getting to know one another intimately and to offer assistance or companionship where necessary,” he said.
He continued that the body has done well within the short period of its existence and that there was much to be achieved going forward, noting that the body had engaged in health walk and health screening aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of members as well as ensure their health status.
By: Dennis Naku, Charity Opara & Favour Ekeke
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
