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End Killings Of Nigerians, NULGE Tells FG, Security Operatives …Woos Rivers Electorate For Fubara-Ordu Ticket
A seasoned labour leader in Rivers State and Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, Engr. Dandison Diri, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and security operatives to wake from their slumber and deliver on their legitimate responsibilities by putting a halt to terrorist attacks and other criminal activities in the country.
Speaking with journalists recently in Port Harcourt on the state of the nation, Diri described the handling of the security situation in Nigeria by the Federal Government as tantamount to ceding Nigeria to terrorists.
He described the recent confession by the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that a terrorist deceived the government into releasing the wife and family of the leader of pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, without releasing the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers as unfortunate, and an admission of security failure.
According to him, “In view of the fact that the government is expected to possess superior power in virtually everything in Nigeria, considering the fact that the major responsibilities of the government are the provision of security and welfare for the masses, especially in the present dispensation under President Buhari, one may be tempted to state that Mr. President’s government greatly lost the confidence, trust and hope that were invested in it at inception. It is regrettable.
“We are pleading with President Buhari to quickly put a halt to the needless sacrifice of the lives of Nigerians by terrorists.
“President Buhari, among others, should call the terrorists’ bluff, equip the security agencies materially, logistically, and in terms of morale-boosting, and be genuinely committed to Nigeria and the people,” Diri admonished.
The NULGE boss said, “States that are willing to set up state police should be allowed to do so. These things are the minimum that President Buhari government can do, and they are not difficult to be done at all. It only takes the desired political and moral will on the part of the President to actualise this.”
The group leader said that there was also a constitutional reason for the President to take the steps because Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it imperative for the government to provide security for its citizens and other residents.
He also restated NULGE’s position on the restructuring of Nigeria, saying, “If he (Buhari) could allow the restructuring of the country right now, history would be kinder to him.
“The president should, without delay, get these things done as suggested above. And in so doing, he could also delegate more powers so that the engine of the country could run faster and more efficiently,” he said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Dandison Diri has urged Rivers State electorate and Nigerians to support with their votes the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election in the state, Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara, and his running mate, Prof Ngozi Ordu, among other PDP candidates.
Diri described the emergence of Fubara and Ordu as better thing coming to the people of the state in order to reposition the ailing economic status of the people which has been undermined over the years.
He warned the masses against the temptation of voting against the PDP which would bring suffering, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and death, describing the duo of Fubara and Ordu as seasoned technocrats and experienced administrators.
He assured them of NULGE’s 100percent support in the 2023 polls for victory.
By: Bethel Toby
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
John Bibor & King Onunwor
