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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Wike Gives Business Grant To Widows …Says Youth’ll Have 60 Per cent Space In 2nd Term
Rivers State Governor,Chief Nyesom Wike has announced a N30million business grant to the widows and wives of fallen heroes and war veterans of the Nigerian Legion in the state.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the courtyard of the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday. Governor Wike said that the grant will help the women expand their businesses and cater for their families.
The governor also announced a donation of N20million to the Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Legion. He noted that the two donations will be effective after the legion make peace amongst them The Armed Forces Remembrance Day was held at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt where Governor Wike inspected a guard of honour and released pigeons of peace.
The governor, leaders of the state and service commanders laid wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier, while there was a 21-gun salute for the fallen heroes.
He said: “When you settle your differences, N30m business grant for the widows and wives of the fallen heroes and war veterans will be released . There will be a donation of N20m for the Legion. In all, we are donating N50m to the Legion”.
He noted that the State Government has redeemed its pledge of N100million to the Legion.
“We have since redeemed our pledge to support the State Veterans Trust Fund with the sum of N100, 000,000.00 (one hundred million naira) to cater to the socio-economic needs of members of the State Chapter of the Nigerian Legion.
“We have also delivered the 32-seater coaster bus to ease the communication challenges legionnaires have been facing to commute their members to functions and events in the State and beyond”, he said.
The governor said the state government is honouring the legacy of both the past and present members of the nation’s armed forces who have either served or still serving for their contributions to the course of peace and national cohesion.
He said Nigeria deserves the total defeat of Boko Haram instead of the technical defeat being paraded by the APC Federal Government.
He said: “The Federal Government therefore needs to do something more pragmatic to boost the moral of our troupes, reverse the embarrassing setbacks and defeat Boko Haram. Nigerians demand a definitive, not the so-called ‘technical’ defeat of the terrorists.
“Furthermore, we must also admit that being assailed by so many economic, social and political challenges the future of our nation is clearly entangled in a dark cloud of uncertainty”.
He regretted that the Federal Government is destroying the key institutions of state and therefore endangering the country.
“Instead of strengthening, the Federal we have spent enormous time, energy and resources in the last three and half years to undermine and destroy the basic institutions that we need to guarantee our democracy, advance our progress and secure our future.
“And so, as someone rightly captured; when institutions are ruined, that’s when a nation is ruined and even wars do not destroy nations the way the breakdown of institutions do. We must therefore resolve to confront and defeat those evil forces seeking and working hard to destroy our institutions and thwart our collective aspiration for a truly united, peaceful and prosperous country”, he said.
Representative of the Nigerian Legion, Borah Thompson thanked the Rivers State Governor for his commitment to the welfare of fallen heroes and war veterans.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Sixty (60) percent of appointments during his second term would be reserved for the youths.
Speaking during a meeting with youth leaders from all the wards of Rivers State at the Rivers State PDP Campaign Office, Governor Wike said that his second term would be used to groom youths for leadership positions.
He said: “When we return for our second term in office, the youths will take 60 percent of appointments. The elders have had their day during the first term. The second term will be for the youths.
“We will groom youths who will take our state to a higher level”.
The governor added that youths will play a key role in ensuring the victory of the PDP in the forthcoming general election. He said Rivers youths should stand up to defend their votes every step of the way.
He noted that the PDP Campaign will focus on reaching everybody at the grassroots, hence the declaration that every politician must deliver his/her polling unit.
“I have said no more leader at the Local Government and ward level because we are taking power to the units. Everyone should take responsibility for his/her unit”, he said.
The governor urged the youths to protect their permanent voters cards as the APC has set up a committee to steal the PVCs.
He added that during his second term, his administration will expand women and youth empowerment opportunities across the State
Governor Wike called on the youths to work for the victory of Atiku Abubakar at the polls, saying that the state stands to benefit nothing from the Buhari administration.
He noted that the key position of the Minister of Transportation in the Buhari administration has been of no benefit to Rivers State.
The governor said the marginalization of Rivers State would worsen should Buhari get a second term.
He reminded them that as a Minister during the Jonathan administration, he attracted key projects to Rivers State, despite having issues with the Amaechi administration at the time. He said that Amaechi has no reason not to attract projects to the state.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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