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Again, Diri Advocates Better Deal For Serving Military Officers
Serving officers and men of the Nigerian Armed forces have been described as the bastion of national unity that deserve more from government while in active service to their fatherland.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, made this assertion while speaking at a special thanksgiving service held in honour of ex-service men at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
The Tide reports that the service was held as part of activities lined up for the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Underscoring the vital role played by the Armed forces to secure and keep the nation together, governor Diri said government could not gratify military officers in commensurate measure considering the sacrifices they had made and have continued to make for the country.
Diri who spoke through the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that Nigeria was standing as one indivisible nation because of the sacrifices made in the past and still being made by military men, despite the pockets of separatist agitations across the country,
He said over 80 percent of serving military officers were not living together with their families, leaving the mentorship of their children in the hands of others.
Recalling the most recent killing of about eight soldiers in a battle in Zamfara State earlier, the Bayelsa helmsman pointed out that the nation would be doing itself a great disservice if its love for the living and fallen military heroes is limited to just a ‘one-day, yearly remembrance celebration.’
The governor reiterated his earlier call on the National Assembly to come up with a legislation to adequately provide for the care and educational training of children of officers who die in the line of duty, restating the need for the eight local government chairmen to put modalities in place to celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in their various council headquarters of the state.
“I really want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, that we need to do more than we are doing currently for the service men in uniform.
“The sacrifices they make are unquantifiable and inestimable. Nigeria is united today because people risked their lives to keep Nigeria united. Even as I speak to you, there are various frontiers of discontentment and agitations, whereby some people are trying to pull the nation apart because they want to go their way.
“About 80 percent of the serving officers seated here do not have their families by them here. So what happens is that their families are at the mercy of other persons to mentor. Your mentoring is a key facility for you to bring up children like you.
“Only yesterday we heard that we lost eight soldiers in Zamfara State. Every other day we hear our men in arms giving up their lives for the nation,” Governor Diri said.
In a sermon entitled, ‘Honouring A Life of Sacrifice’, a clergy, Senior Apostle Michael Makpah, urged people to emulate the life of the biblical Abraham, stressing that anywhere sacrifice is offered, there is the need for honour to be given.
Makpah noted that members of the Nigerian Armed forces were driven by love for the country to put their lives on the line for the maintenance of peace, security and territorial integrity of the nation, and therefore must be better appreciated.
Dignitaries at the thanksgiving service were, the state First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Diri, the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, service commanders, commissioners, other top government functionaries as well as the State Executive of the Nigerian Legion led by its Chairman, Mr Ogele Okubokeme.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene