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Nigerians Won’t Honour Polls’ Riggers, Wike Tells Armed Forces …Says Army Has Lost Its Integrity, Pledges To Sustain Peace, Security …Pledges Not To Impose Anybody On Rivers People In 2023
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that Heaven and Nigerians would never honour members of the Armed Forces engaged in the snatching of ballot boxes and rigging of elections.
Speaking during an inter-denominational church service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom, yesterday, Wike urged them to be professional and apolitical.
The governor said: “We are not honouring those who are unprofessional and carry ballot boxes to influence the electoral process.
“I urge members of the Armed Forces to choose the right path in the interest of the country. It is unfortunate that the military has lost its integrity because of some unprofessional personnel. Nobody is afraid of the military because of their unprofessional conduct.
“Those who come to rig election or kill Rivers people, Heaven will never remember them.”
Wike said that he has been vindicated by the admission by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman that security agencies were responsible for the electoral malpractices that marred the last general election.
He said: “I thank God that the chairman of INEC has owned up that the problem with elections is the security agencies. This confirms all I have said in the past.”
The governor, however, praised the Armed Forces for the roles they have played in preserving the unity of the country.
“But for them, kidnappers, cultists, insurgents and armed robbers would have taken over the country “, he added.
Wike called for the institution of a reward system to encourage soldiers to put in their best for the country.
In a sermon, Ven Samuel Chimele called on soldiers to be professional in the discharge of their duties to the nation.
He said: “As we remember our fallen heroes, be professional. There are temptations to the military to be unprofessional, but strive to be professional.”
He said that soldiers who engage in unprofessional acts would go unrecognised in the long run, even when they enjoy earthly promotion.
The cleric said that the military have no business attempting to enthrone different levels of leadership in the country, and advised them to focus on providing security and defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
In the sermon titled: “Faithfulness in Service: The Hallmark of a True Soldier”, Ven Samuel Chimele warned soldiers against the ruthless use of power against the national interest.
Prayers were said for the fallen heroes and God’s blessing upon their families.
Prayers were also said for the government and people of Rivers State, the Federal Government and the Armed Forces.
The international service marking the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration witnessed praise and worship, with offering to support the Nigerian Legion.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had said that his administration remains committed to working with members of the Armed Forces to promote the security of lives and property in the state.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Mohamed Aribitonye Okiri during a Jumaat Service to mark the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike commended the Armed Forces for their contributions to national unity and security.
He assured that he would continue to invest in security, because security promotes development and inflow of investments.
Wike urged the security agencies to partner with his administration for the sustenance of peace across the state.
The governor added that the Rivers State Government would continue to support ex-servicemen and the families of war heroes who paid the supreme price defending the country.
In his remarks, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Cline Diepriye, thanked the Rivers State governor for his commitment to peace and the development of Rivers State.
In a message, the Deputy Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Soliu Sai’d Olowo Okere, commended members of the Armed Forces for courageously fighting insurgents.
While praising the military for their role in preserving the unity of Nigeria, he said that the fight against insurgency was in line with the will of God.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
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.