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Wike Swears In Nine Commissioners-Designate, Today … As 17 New Perm Secs Take Oath Of Office
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike will, today, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, swear-in nine commissioners-designate screened and cleared, yesterday, by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who gave this indication in a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, added that the swearing-in ceremony will begin at 11am, and advised those affected and invited guests to be seated by 10.30am.
He noted that those to be sworn-in include, Barrister Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Hon Boma Iyaye, Hon Diamete Herbert-Miller, Tonye Oniyinde and Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.
The rest are, Dr Igbiks Tamuno, Hon Emeka Onowu, Prof Chike Princewill, and Mr Ohia Prince.
When sworn-in today, the nine public officers will join 15 others earlier appointed by the state governor to boost the number of cabinet members to drive the implementation of the NEW Vision Agenda of the Governor Nyesom Wike administration in the state.
Earlier, after grilling the six commissioner-nominees sent to it for screening by the governor, the state House of Assembly, yesterday, finally confirmed them for swearing-in.
Two of the commissioner-nominees: Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja and Hon. Boma Iyaye were asked to take a bow after they introduced themselves as former legislators.
However, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyinde, Hon. Damiete Herbert Miller, Emeka Onowu, Barrister Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Ohia Prince and Dr. Igbiks Tamuno were subjected to some questioning by the legislators.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the screening was in line with Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Oniyinde while responding to questions from Hon. Smart Adoki over her performance as erstwhile commissioner for culture and tourism, noted that during her first tenure, the state hosted NAFEST 2018 with other cultural activities in the state.
Herbert Miller, who was former commissioner for energy, said most of the challenges in the ministry were because energy was in Exclusive List and his ministry only had to enforce safety standards while creating synergy with federal agencies.
Tasie-Amadi, who was former member of the state Task Force on Recovery of Government Property, pledged to serve the state and add value to governance.
Also responding on how he could assist in youth empowerment, Ohia was of the opinion that agriculture and entrepreneurship were key to providing jobs.
He insisted that once government sets the youths up in small business, there was need to monitor them so as to motivate them to improve and utilise the starter-packs for their betterment.
However, Princewill and Tamuno, who are only the two medical experts among the nominees, suggested measures to tackle the Coronavirus scourge.
Princewill, who was the last commissioner for health, opined that there was no need for panic.
He suggested that all that was needed was to beef up monitoring at the entry and exit points of the state.
Princewill also recommended a “State Holding Up Area” so that in case of any contamination, it could be easy to trace contacts.
For Tamuno, preventive medicine remains key.
Tamuno, who is a pharmacologist, said medication and prevention were the way to keeping the virus away from attacking the populace.
Similarly, in a move to re-invigorate the Civil Service of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, yesterday, swore-in 17 new permanent secretaries.
Swearing-in the permanent secretaries at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor urged them to contribute to the rapid development of Rivers State.
He said: “Use this opportunity to contribute to the development of the state. You were appointed under this administration; you owe the state the responsibility to perform”.
Wike said that the new permanent secretaries should be focused on service delivery.
“Your interest should be to serve the state and to support the commissioners, who are political heads to achieve the right developmental goals.
“Don’t give your commissioners problems. Also, do not collude with the commissioners to carry out illegal activities”, he said.
The governor urged the new permanent secretaries to work in line with their oath of office, adding that anyone that violates their oath of office would be sanctioned.
He said: “I advise you to take your work seriously. Don’t take this opportunity as a joke.”
He stated that effort was made to ensure that local government areas without permanent secretaries were accommodated by his administration.
The governor said that the new permanent secretaries were appointed on the basis of merit, and noted that nobody lobbied for their emergence.
Wike announced the posting of Madume Egerton Ndu as the new solicitor-general and permanent secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, and added that other permanent secretaries would be posted shortly by his administration.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.