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Black Soot: Direct Protest To FG, Wike Tells Residents …Inaugurates Neigbhourhood Safety Corps Agency …As Banigo, Obuah Hail Gov On Zik Prize
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on those planning to demonstrate against the presence of soot to channel their protest to the Federal Government.
He said the Federal Government is strictly responsible for the degradation and pollution of the Rivers environment.
Speaking in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, during the inauguration of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency, Governor Wike urged the Stop- the- Soot campaigners to demonstrate against the Federal Government in the interest of justice.
He said that the Rivers State Government has done all that it is suppose to do, including advocacy and enlightenment campaigns, with no action from the Federal Government.
The governor said: “I hear that people want to demonstrate that there is soot in the state. Help us demonstrate against the Federal Government and we will all be happy.
“This is because we have no control over the sources of soot. Do I go to shutdown the Refinery? Will they not say that it is economic sabotage?
“Do I even have the security? Do I control the Police or the Army to go and stop oil production at the refinery?”
Governor Wike added that the State Government cannot stop the Nigerian Navy from destroying illegal refineries in ways that release dangerous substances to pollute the environment. He said all entreaties have fallen on deaf ears.
He said nobody is happy about the presence of soot in the state as its effect is non discriminatory.
The governor said it is necessary to properly situate those with the responsibility of stopping the soot, rather than protesting for the sake of creating social tension.
He assured the people of Rivers State that the administration will continue to prevail on the security agencies and regulatory institutions to take the right step to stop the soot.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has inaugurated the Board of Directors of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency, with a charge to the members to kick-start the process of recruiting quality operatives for the agency.
Performing the inauguration, last Monday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor said there was no going back on the establishment of the agency because it was central to the security of the state.
Wike said: “Use your experiences and capabilities to ensure that the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency takes off effectively.
“Start the recruitment process of the operatives. By September, 2018, I expect that the training of operatives would have been concluded and the agency fully operational”.
He charged members of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency not to be swayed by the antics of opponents of the establishment of the agency because, according to him, their duty was vital to the stability of the state.
The governor alerted the nation that some politicians have approached the police to sabotage the scheme by rejecting operatives recruited by the agency.
He said that the State Executive Council will approach will approach the Rivers State House of Assembly for the amendment of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency law, so that the police will not be required to vet the recruited operatives as is obtainable in Lagos State.
The governor advised the Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency to recruit only persons that have the interest of the state at heart.
He said contrary to criticisms against the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency, they are only to bear light arms subject to the approval of the police.
He said that the light arms to be borne by the agency’s operatives would be for self defence.
“The Chairman of the Board is a retired Brigadier General, while the Director General is a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police. We have appointed credible and experienced retired security chiefs because we want the best for the state.
“Now that we have prevailing peace in the state, all efforts should be geared towards sustaining it”, he said.
Responding, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency, Brigadier General Dick Ironabare assured the government and people of the state that the agency would work to enhance state-wide security.
He commended the Rivers State Governor for deeming it necessary to set up the new security scheme, which is in line with international best practices of securing communities.
The chairman said that the agency would work within the ambit of the law in the discharge of her duties.
He said most of the people opposed to the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency do so because they don’t understand its relevance in modern day security framework.
Ironabare commended Wike for the support rendered to security agencies across the state as well as the promulgation of stringent laws to check kidnapping and cultism.
Those inaugurated as Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency include: Brigadier General Dick Ironabare as chairman, Dr Uche Mike Chukwuma as director general , and Barrister Nma Omereji as secretary/legal adviser.
Other members of the board are Chief Casca Ogosu, Mr Dennis Amachree, Prof Emenike Wami, Anthony Uzo Ozurumba and Mrs Victoria Chikeka.
In another development, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo and the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Bro Felix Obuah have hailed the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike for winning the Zik Prize for Good Governance, and described him as a colossus and natural leader.
The duo made the commendation in separate statements in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
Banigo said in a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, while reacting to the governor’s wining of the Zik Prize in Good Governance, that “For the governor’s detractors who felt his initial awards were a mere fluke, he has continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership capacity which has been noticed within and outside the shores of Nigeria, leaving these detractors dumb founded.”
She congratulated him for his political will and commitment to develop Rivers State, stressing that she and other members of his team are not only proud of him, but are ready to give him all the necessary support for him to continue to excel.
In his statement, Obuah said that one outstanding feature of Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and political orientations, was the ability to identify the crown from the crowd.
He stated this on the heels of the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance awarded to the Governor Nyesom Wike by the Public Policy Research ad Analysis Centre (PPRAC), Lagos.
According to the state PDP boss, “It takes a visionary and courageous leader in the mould of Wike to confront the kind of developmental challenges such as he did on assumption of office and still excelled.
“The joy of it all, Bro Obuah noted, is the avalanche of honours, awards and recognitions on His Excellency by various national and international bodies in appreciation of his giant developmental strides.”
Obuah, therefore, congratulated the governor for proving to the world that in Rivers State, there were still gifted personalities and world class leaders to contrast a few self-acclaimed leaders who revel in blowing their own trumpets that can only deceive impressionable minds.
The state PDP chairman, expressed joy that Wike rather than get distracted, has continued to be spurred to do even more for the state and humanity by all the recognitions.
All that is needed now, Obuah pointed out, is for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the good works of the governor are brought to a complete and logical conclusion by rallying round him for a second term, reassuring that the whole benefit is that of the Rivers people.
Obuah strongly re-emphasized that the voice of the people, being the voice of God, Wike will successfully serve out his two terms according to the wishes and prayers of the Rivers people and no amount of conspiracy will stop him.
It would be recalled that the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), last Sunday, formally recognised the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike with the Zik Prize for Good Governance.
The PPRAC, organisers of the Zik Leadership Prize in Leadership said that Wike was honoured because of his accomplishments in projects delivery, prudent management of scarce resources, human capital development and policy implementation.
Presenting the Zik Prize for Good Governance to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the former minister of education and Chairman of Advisory Board of PPRAC, Prof Jubril Aminu praised the governor for turning the state into a huge construction site.
He commended the Rivers State governor for his commitment to the development of the state, urging him to sustain the pace.
Speaking after receiving the Zik Prize for Good Governance, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said the award was a call to continue to serve the state and Nigeria to the best of his ability
He said: “This is very great because this award was instituted annually to honour the first ceremonial President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
“It is an award that will spur us further to continue to work for the people. It is not an award for us to relax”.
Wike dedicated the award to the good people of Rivers State, saying that their support for his administration made it possible for him to develop the state.
The governor also thanked his wife and children for the sacrifices they make to enable him serve Rivers people.
He said that the state has entrenched good governance through the delivery of projects and programmes that improve the living condition of the people, enthroned transparency and accountability as well as worked within the ambit of the law.
“This award is to remind us that we are required to do more for the people. Zik stood for unity that is why we should work to unite the country”, he said.
This year, the Rivers State governor has won: Silverbird Man of the Year 2017, Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year 2017 and the Independent Newspaper Political Icon of the Year, 2017.
Other award recipients are: Former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande and the Zik Prize in Political Leadership, Chief Audu Ogbeh the Zik Prize winner in Public Service.
The wife of Anambra State Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obaino, the governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello-Masari, wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar Mohammed, and Adedeji Adeleke were also honoured with Zik leadership awards
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.