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‘RSG Not Indepted To Any Bank’
The Rivers State Government, last Monday, dismissed claims in some quarters that it was owing some local and external banks, insisting that it was “not indebted to any bank in Nigeria”.
The state government was reacting to media reports credited to the Federal Government-run agency, the Debt Management Office, to the effect that Lagos, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom were states currently topping domestic debt list with N1.18trillion.
But the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who shrugged off the claims as a figment of the imagination of their purveyors, while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, described the Debt Management Office’s position as another attempt at maligning the integrity of the current administration in the state.
Nsirim maintained that the state government had been frugal in its management of state resources, adding that the statistics were incorrect and a ploy to de-market Rivers State.
Putting Rivers monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at around N8billion, the permanent secretary added that the state had never resorted to reckless borrowing that would make her run into debts.
He said: “That with a healthy monthly Internally Generated Revenue profile of, at least, N8billion, the state does not resort to reckless borrowing that will make her run into debts.
“That as a matter of deliberate policy, the present administration in Rivers State, desirous to leave behind a worthy legacy, does not embark on a white elephant project that will require bogus financial obligations.”
Nsirim explained that Rivers State Government operated accounts with only Zenith and Access Banks, clarifying that it had since repaid all loans obtained.
“The state government inherited a commercial bank loan of N15,845,118,108.44 in 2015, which had been liquidated.
“The issues of debts owed to contractors, pension arrears, etc, which the Debt Management Office used to stigmatise the state are recurrent and capital expenditures, which payments are ongoing.
“The Federal Government’s intervention loan approved for every state of the federation has a repayment plan that is spread over many years. Rivers State Government has not defaulted on the repayment plan.
“The Wike administration has been prudent in the management of scarce state resources backed by healthy monthly internally generated revenue.
“Unlike previous administrations that left behind huge debt profiles, the present administration will not mortgage the future of the state in any way,” Nsirim said.
He added that all loans taken by the current administration for infrastructural development of the state from Zenith and Access Banks had been cleared.
The Rivers State Government said: “That since 2015 till now, His Excellency through a well-articulated fiduciary template has made governance better than how he met it.
“That unlike previous administrations that left behind huge debt profiles, the present administration will not mortgage the future of the state in any way.
“That journalists and media houses should adhere to the dictum, ‘Facts Are Sacred’ by always cross-checking their facts before publication. That the Rivers State Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency will not be distracted by any form of yellow journalism but will remain focused to fulfill the social contract with the people.
“This appears to be another orchestrated plan to de-market the state through unconfirmed statistics since other forms of negative propaganda had failed”.
The Rivers State Government urged well meaning Nigerians to disregard the falsehood being peddled by anti-Rivers political forces.
Chris Oluoh
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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