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Akawor, AKULGA Boss Extol Virtues Of New Rivers Commissioners
The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has congratulated the three newly sworn-in commissioners as members of the State Executive Council, saying that their appointment could not have come without consideration of their loyalty to the party as men of honour, courage, integrity and commitment to the state.
Akawor said this while reacting to the swearing-in of the new commissioners by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
A statement personally signed by the chairman, said, “It is my utmost pleasure to witness the swearing in of the commissioners, carried out today (Friday) by our hardworking Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, of notable personalities such as; Barrister Zacchaeus Adangor, who was returned as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General; as well as Hon. Isaac Kamalu, who was returned as Commissioner for Finance; and Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, who was sworn in as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“Certainly, your willingness to volunteer your time and effort, as well as express your opinions, has contributed to your being selected for the positions.
“Governor Nyesom Wike is known to bring in consummate professionals with unparalleled expertise, to head ministries that will drive the state to excellent heights. It is on that premise that you were sworn in, to join in driving the NEW Rivers Vision to success.
“We trust that you will continue to work for improved Rivers State and consolidate on the dynamic strides of our project delivering governor who has outworked his contemporaries.
“On behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, I congratulate you all. Please, be aware that you have our full support. We wish you all the best as you represent the state and do it exceptionally.
“In the words of Patrick Suskind, ‘Talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything’.
“You all are not just known to be talented which is borne out of visible experience that has transformed the state in your various field vested in you, but you do so with so much humility and hard work that has distinguished you and made you all deserving of such recognition, just as the governor said in his speech today. You have worked with unalloyed loyalty and keen dedication to the state and our governor, you deserve the honour of being returned to continue from where you stopped.
“Once more, I congratulate you all as you assume your offices”, Akawor said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, described “the appointment of Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George-Kelly as deserving of a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman”, saying that “with his wealth of technical knowledge on project delivery and construction management, Rivers State is on the verge of experiencing yet another phase of infrastructural boom”.
George said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, John Paul Braide, in Buguma City, last Saturday, to congratulate Dr. Dax George-Kelly on his appointment as Rivers State Commissioner for Works and Special Projects by Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ASALGA council boss said, “On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, I congratulate a gentleman of honour, courage, integrity and committed statesman, a leading light of this generation, a core professional and an illustrious ASALGAN, Dr. Dax George-Kelly on your appointment as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects”.
According to George, “the sterling contributions of Dr. George-Kelly to the infrastructural development of the state while serving as Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects and Head, Bureau of Special Projects, was legendary and worthy of commendation”.
He, however, noted that Dr. George-Kelly’s doggedness, commitment, steadfastness and strong skills on project delivery, earned him this laudable and milestone achievement as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.
“The birth of great men is heralded by great events and is usually for a mission. Your coming to manage the entire construction spectrum in Rivers State at this time is, indeed, for a purpose, adding that Rivers people can attest to your doggedness, commitment and steadfastness in managing the infrastructural development masterpiece in the state as reflected in the monumental achievements recorded under your leadership as Head, Bureau of Special Projects.
“Our shoulders are high knowing that a worthy son of ASALGA is strategically appointed by our dear governor to contribute technical expertise towards revamping the infrastructural architecture of the New Rivers State”, the statement said.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.