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Your Antics’ll Fail, Wike Assures Enemies Of RSG …Don’t Take God’s Grace For Granted, Cleric Tells CJ

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2021

Governor Nyesom Wike has asserted that all those who engaged in one clandestine activity or the other to pull the Rivers State Government down, have experienced utter disappointment.
The governor maintained that part of the recent crises that were stirred within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was spearheaded by people who, in secret meetings, plotted to bring him down.
He said no one of such persons have survived achieving their plots.
Wike made the revelation at the Special Thanksgiving Service organised to celebrate the appointment of Hon. Justice Simeon Amadi as the chief judge of Rivers State, at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Elibrada Parish, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday.
He stated that nobody can tamper with who God has ordained, because but for God, he would not have become the governor of the state.
“Recently, you heard there was some crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Everybody who was involved, that plotted everything for my downfall, all are out. Everyone, that slept, that went to a meeting, planning how they’re going to bring me down, not one survived.”
The governor also alluded that similar plot was contrived when the former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra was to be appointed, but they also failed no matter how hard they tried.
He wondered why somebody would render services for the interest of Rivers State, and when it was time for appointment, people would start conspiring and even plotting against his government.
“When your predecessor, (Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra) was appointed, you have said here that people came to you to say she’s not from Rivers State. Such people are enemies of the state. That is why this country cannot move forward.
“Somebody who has put his or her life serving the state all through her career, making sure that the state moves forward, and at the time of benefits, you now say the person is not from your state. But all the services rendered were for the interest of your state.
“When your predecessor was appointed, people started to conspire, people started to plot against my government. Your colleagues, some of them started conspiring. I said, well, what will be, will be. I do know that it is God that made me to become governor. Nobody will survive to plot the downfall of my government. Nobody will survive it.”
The governor explained that when Justice Iche Ndu retired as the chief judge of the state, the Judiciary was plunged into crisis, resulting in the shutting down of the courts for some years. According to him, even when the state did not have a substantive chief judge, billions of Naira were signed off steadily in the state Judiciary.
According to him, “reports of the committee that was set up by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) indicted some principal judicial staff, some of who were eventually promised to be shielded by somebody who had hoped to become a chief judge.
“And so, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has to set up a committee to investigate it because there was no chief judge, but look at the record, billions are being spent. Who is responsible of this expenditure?
“You can’t believe it; some registrars were using that opportunity to make money. You can’t believe the kind of houses people at that level could build within that period, and they were found guilty.
“Someone who believes that he or she will be the next chief judge had to interfere with that investigation and security picked it up. And simply because some of them are from the same community, and she said, when I become chief judge, I will set aside that indictment by the Judicial Service Commission, security picked it up. That was how you (Justice Amadi) became the chief judge.”
Speaking further, Wike acknowledged the role played by the former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, who appointed Justice Amadi to be a judge of the state High Court, and also ensured that Ikwerre produced governor of Rivers State.
The governor said it was not out of place for the Ikwerres to stand always with the Odilis because of his love for them and consider what affects them to affect the Ikwerres since one good turn deserves another.
Wike enjoined the chief judge to be diligent in his duties, assertive in achieving results, utilise money meant for the Judiciary judiciously, and desist from being vindictive.
Earlier in his address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi acknowledged that only God deserves all the thanks for his benevolence over his life, and his appointment as chief judge.
He noted that God uses men to accomplish His will, adding that Wike was God’s instrument to make that appointment possible.
“Today is a remarkable day in my life and that of my family. We give gratitude to God over His favour upon me and my family”.
Justice Amadi said he decided to do the thanksgiving in his home town so that people can know where he came from, saying that “irrespective of where you are coming from, God’s grace cannot be limited because of localities”.
He thanked God for using the former chief judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu, in whose chambers he began his career in legal practice, and Dr Peter Odili, in whose administration he was sworn in as a judge, to prepare him for his present role as chief judge of the state.
He recalled that Justice Iche Ndu’s chambers has produced two chief judges in the state, and thanked God for making it possible at His own time.
In his sermon at the service, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah tasked the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi not to take the grace of God for granted.
He charged him to deliver his responsibilities and mandate without fear or favour so that God and mankind would be happy for his appointment, saying that he was called for ‘legal service’ for the betterment of mankind and the society at large.
Enyindah gave the advice while delivering his sermon, titled: “Thanking God for His Mercies” at a Special Church Thanksgiving Service by the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to thank God for his elevation as number one Judiciary officer in the state.
The service was held at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Elibarada in Emohua Local Government Area of the state, over the weekend.
The clergy, who took his Bible reading from the book of 1 Chronicles 29:10 – 18, said God requires daily appreciation and thanks for all living creatures, adding that His grace and mercy endures forever.
According to him, “Everything about God is good and beneficial to mankind”, saying that “mercy and grace is an act of God’s special enablement for man to get what we do not deserve and merit.
“God blesses us more when we reciprocate and thank Him and acknowledge Him,” he stated.
The bishop, while congratulating the chief judge over his appointment, thanked the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for being the instrument which God used to actualise the appointment.
Enyindah said it is only God who can raise any person from obscurity to prominence.
He stressed that God expects those who have so enjoyed His grace and mercies in areas of good health, business successes and promotion to gladly acknowledge it by returning to thank him.
Enyindah enjoined the Justice Amadi who God has raised among other judges to become the chief judge of Rivers State, to not only thank God in the church as he has returned to do but be determined to continually discharge his duties conscientiously and give justice to the people.
The Tide reports that the occasion was attended by a litany of distinguished stakeholders across all sectors in the state.

By: Beemene Taneh & Akujobi Amadi

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Tinubu committed to unlocking Nigeria’s potential – Shettima

Published

7 hours ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

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.

Featured

FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

Published

7 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.

Featured

FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

Published

7 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.