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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.
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.