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Wike, Others Pay Tributes To Late Fidelis Odili
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has described late Sir Fidelis Obi Odili as a man who lived an enviable life of humility, and related with everybody mutually, no matter their social status.
Wike, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, made the observation while giving his tribute at the liturgy of songs and evening of tributes, organised in honour of Fidelis Obi Odili at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The deceased, who was the elder brother of former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, was also the Nzeobi of Ndoni, and had died at the age of 82.
Wike narrated how he secured an instant goodwill of Sir Fidelis Obi Odili in 1999, while he was waiting to be cleared to see Dr Peter Odili, who was then governor-elect.
According to him, the moment he introduced himself as the Obio/Akpor chairmanship candidate, Sir Fidelis Odili directed the security personnel at the gate to let him in.
“He told the security, open the gate for him. I was shocked because it was our first time of meeting.”
Wike also noted the strength of faith that Fidelis Obi Odili exercised in God when his wife experienced delay in having children for him.
The governor said because God eventually gave him children, the former governor’s elder brother decided to devote his life serving God without relenting, and giving to humanity and the church generously.
According to Wike, the life of giving and philanthropy is ingrained in the Odili’s family because the former governor also demonstrates such virtue effortlessly.
The governor announced the donation of N50million to the Corpus Christi Cathedral in recognition of the selfless, godly service that Sir Fidelis Obi Odili had rendered, and also to support the church.
Speaking, the former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili said he had just been hit with the reality of the fact that his elder brother had passed on to eternity, owing to the several good things that have been said about him.
Such reality, he noted, has enveloped him with the feeling of loneliness, but his confidence lies in the fact that God was with him and the family his brother had left behind.
Earlier, while giving the homily, the former Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Kabari exhorted on the reality of the Christian hope that is pivoted on forgiveness of sin, resurrection of the dead in Christ and life everlasting.
According to him, it was such hope that assures Christians that they can live right with God while on earthly sojourn.
He advised Christian parents to continually teach their children the beauty of such godly living so that they can hold to the virtue of faith in God and look to the beautiful future of life on earth and eternity with God.
In his tribute, former governor of the state, Sir Celestine Omehia said Sir Fidelis Obi Odili was a quiet-natured gentleman, who lived a refined life with dignity.
Omehia recalled that when he left office as governor, he put a call to Dr Peter Odili, and was connected to the deceased who eventually provided his family accommodation.
According to him, the former governor’s brother prayed with his entire family daily and inculcated Catholicism in his home.
Speaking on the contributions of the deceased to the Catholic Church, Justice Peter Agumagu remarked that the deceased was instrumental to the building of the Corpus Christi Cathedral, and the only chapel located inside the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre (prison).
According to him, Fidelis Obi Odili was a patron to all the associations in the Cathedral and provided his house always as venue to all end-of-year fellowships.
In his remarks, the first son of the deceased, Ogechukwu Joel Odili spoke of his father as a dear friend who lit up the life of people around him, not only of the family and immediate community, but across tribes.
He boasted of choosing no other than his late father over and again, because of the many valuable lessons of life he had learned from him, which included prudence, perseverance and hard work.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.