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Wike Merits Mr Projects’ Title -Jonathan …As Gov Says INEC, Police Responsible For Poll Fraud

Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike merits the title of Mr Projects because of his pro-people projects.
Speaking before commissioning the 22.3 kilometer Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area, yesterday, Jonathan said that the title of Mr Projects was not an exaggeration as facts on ground attest to it.
Jonathan said: “The whole country calling Governor Wike, Mr Projects is not an exaggeration. It is not political. PDP governors don’t just talk about projects, they do projects.”
The former president said that if any opposition politician refuses to see the numerous projects in Rivers State, it was his choice.
Jonathan said that he lived in Rivers State after his secondary school days up to 1998, pointing out that the outstanding transformation of Port Harcourt was obvious.
He commended Wike for reaching the hinterland through the Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road, adding that that the Rivers State governor deserves the support of the people.
“Whenever Governor Wike invites me for a project commissioning, I am happy. The governor is an example of a good leader, a committed leader.
“What Governor Wike has done in three years is quite commendable. The quantum of projects are scattered across the state. Last year, I was here to commission the second Nkpogu Bridge and today I am here to commission a road to the hinterland”, he said.
He said that everyone believes in Governor Wike because of his efforts at projects’ delivery.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said the PDP governors were committed to the development of their states.
He said in Rivers State, his administration has executed projects in urban and rural communities for the benefit of the people.
The governor said that several projects have been lined up for commissioning in different local government areas, while more would be flagged off.
“I am happy that we are delivering projects across the state. This is a continuous process. We started from Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas because majority of our people live there”, he said.
While describing Jonathan as the father of peace and democracy in Nigeria, Wike thanked him for supporting the process of the emergence of New Rivers State.
He said: “We are happy because you stood by us and we have not disappointed you. This is to let you know that those you supported are performing”.
Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia said that Airport—Ipo-Omademe -Ozuoha Road has opened up the area and would improve the agro-based economy.
Rivers State Works Commissioner, Mr Dum Dekor was non-existent, noting that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Wike constructed the important road with the right drainage.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and police were responsible for electoral fraud in the country.
Wike declared that if the two agencies play by the electoral rules, elections would be credible and peaceful.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the new Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Obo Effanga, yesterday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike urged INEC to conduct credible polls in 2019.
The governor said that conflicts arise from elections when INEC fail to do the right and bow to the pressure of politicians from the ruling party.
He charged the resident electoral commissioner to resist any attempt by leaders of the APC-led Federal Government to prevail on him to rig the elections on their behalf.
The governor said: “If you resist it and conduct free and fair elections, every elected officer will have no choice but to perform. If the person does not perform, the person knows that re-election will be difficult.
“You should use this opportunity to avert electoral crisis in Rivers State by conducting credible elections. We are heightening projects delivery because we want to build the confidence of the people that their mandate is not taken for granted. If we are relying on INEC, we will not work for the people”.
He noted that the PDP in Rivers State would not bring any pressure on INEC because of the high performance of his administration.
“We don’t have any pressure to bring to you. We have no business to pressurise you. Our business is on the field; to work for the people.
“Those who are doing nothing, but who believe they are in power and they must rig elections, are those that will bring pressure to you. Resist that pressure and conduct credible polls”, he told the Rivers resident electoral commissioner.
Wike said that the immediate past Rivers INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aniedi Ikiowak, would not know peace because he was used by the APC-led Federal Government to steal the people’s mandate and print fake electoral materials.
“If you rig elections here, anywhere you go, you will not find peace in your life. If you do the right thing, peace will be abundant in your life”, he said.
The governor said that Rivers people, Christians and traditional worshippers, are praying fervently against election riggers ahead of 2019 elections.
He regretted the deceitful nature of INEC and their refusal to place sanctions on Akin Fakorede, despite indicting him for electoral fraud.
Earlier, New Rivers INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Obo Effanga, assured that the commission will conduct credible polls in the state.
He urged politicians and other stakeholders to play by the rules and support the process for credible polls.
“We are 248 days to the 2019. INEC is committed to credible polls. But credible elections depend on so many fact factors including the stakeholders. We expect the stakeholders to play by the rules”, he said.
The Rivers State INEC resident electoral commissioner said that the state has more than three million registered voters, while 2.172, 467 voters have collected their permanent voters’ cards.
Featured
FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
Featured
NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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