News
Wike Lauds Abia Gov’s Show Of Friendship Over Uncle’s Demise
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has lauded the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for his show of friendship and brotherhood at a time his family was grieving over the loss of their uncle.
The governor spoke, yesterday, during a condolence visit by the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the passage of his uncle, late Chief Charles Wike.
He said: “Indeed, what you have done today shows friendship and brotherhood. It shows that what affects us, affects you. I will never forget this, and I will continue to reciprocate.”
Wike noted that the condolence visit by the Abia State governor has strengthened and encouraged his family to bear the irreparable loss.
He said: “Having died, we believe that he has gone to be with his Creator. With your coming, we are strengthened to continue with life and his own principles.
“The way he lived and kept our community is very key. I thank you on behalf of my family for coming to commiserate with us at this point.”
While thanking the Abia State governor for the visit, Wike noted that his uncle played very positive roles in the development of his community.
“My uncle was the immediate younger brother to my father. He was the traditional ruler of my community.
“He was the one most of us relied on for the history of our area. We know that one day; there will be an end to life. Nobody will live forever. But we didn’t expect him to go at this time.
“For those of us who are Christians, what has happened has happened. What is important is that you go to meet your Creator. Most of us relied on my uncle in terms of education. He was a historian. He did his own best, but as it pleased God, this happened. There is nothing anyone can do,” he said.
In his remarks, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that he was at the Government House, Port Harcourt to commiserate with Governor Wike over the passage of his uncle.
He said: “I have brought warm felicitation and greetings from the good people of Abia State. On behalf of the people of Abia State, we have come this morning to commiserate with our brother and friend, who lost a very close person to him.
“It is traditional and cultural for our people to reach out to one of our own whenever events like this occur.”
He said that the late uncle of Governor Wike lived a good life and has gone to be with his Creator.
“It happens. He lived a good life and he has gone the way of his forefathers. When it happens like this, it brings a lot of pain to us, but it is harvest time for God.
“In the first place, God gave him to us. Now that he is no more, we are confident that he has gone to be with his Maker. I ask his household to bear the loss with fortitude, and pray that God will grant the immediate family and friends, the energy to fill this vacuum,” he said.
Similarly, the Rivers State leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with Governor Nyesom Wike over the death of his uncle, Chief Charles Wike, saying it was saddened at the news of his demise.
The state PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, in a statement issued by his media aide, Jerry Needam, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the party was aggrieved the more, knowing the close relationship that existed between the governor and his late uncle.
The party said it was, however, consoled because Governor Wike did all within his ability to give meaning to the strong bond between him and his uncle while he lived.
Obuah expressed the hope that Wike, being a strong believer in God, will see his uncle’s death as the will of his Creator, and would continue to carry out his official duties with the usual composure and emotional stability which he is known for.
The statement reads, “While we whole-heartedly identify with His Excellency in his moment of grief as our leader and big brother, we also make bold to say that his well-cherished uncle did not die in vain, having contributed in raising one of the most courageous leaders and defender of democracy Nigeria has ever had in the person of Governor Nyesom Wike.”
The state PDP also condoled with the entire Wike family, government and entire Rivers people, enjoining all to take solace in the good works and worthy legacies left behind by late Chief Charles Wike.
“May the good Lord grant the soul of the deceased peaceful rest and to his numerous relations, the fortitude to bear the huge loss”, the statement added.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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