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EFCC Can’t Probe RSG’s Account -Wike …Challenges Commission To Vacate Court Order …Warns Zenith Bank Against Revealing Account Details
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no powers to investigate the financial transactions of the Rivers State Government.
He said that before EFCC can investigate the Rivers State Government, it must first vacate the Federal High Court judgement that declared that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the Rivers State Government.
Wike spoke, yesterday, during a courtesy visit by the Group Managing Director-Designate of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu.
The governor said: “EFCC has no powers to look into our financial transactions. You cannot be giving our financial transactions to the EFCC, because that is illegal.
“Unless the EFCC sets aside the judgement, they have no powers to look into our financial transactions. Not that we are afraid, but due process must be followed”, Wike insisted.
He said that if Zenith Bank refuses to obey the court judgement, Rivers State Government would be compelled to file the necessary processes to ensure the right thing was done.
The governor commended Zenith Bank for supporting projects’ execution in the state through loan facilities, adding that the Rivers State Government would complete the payment of loans acquired by May ending.
“You have supported the state in terms of infrastructure. You have also supported us for our inauguration”, he said.
He, however, urged the management of Zenith Bank to consummate the long relationship with Rivers State Government by ensuring that Rivers people grow in the bank.
Wike congratulated Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu on his appointment as the group managing director-designate of the Zenith Bank, emphasising that his appointment was due to commitment and hardwork.
“Since 1999, this relationship has been there, and it will be there. Try to ensure that Rivers people grow in the bank”, he added.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director-Designate of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu congratulated the Rivers State governor on his re-election.
“Every one of us in Zenith Bank is very pleased over the success you have recorded. We also want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the last election, and wish for a glorious second term”, he said.
Onyeagwu said that Zenith Bank prays for Wike to make greater progress during his second term.
He said that he was in Rivers State to inform the governor that he would take over the leadership of the bank on June 1, 2019.
“Zenith Bank and Rivers State have been in partnership for over 20 years. We want to assure you that in this moment and in this time, our expectation is that this partnership will get even bigger and stronger.
“We want to assure you of our utmost loyalty and support for the ideas and aspirations of your government. It is our pleasure that Zenith Bank is willing to support the various development initiatives of your government.
“At this second half, going by your disposition, going by your perspective that we know, our expectation is that it will even be raised higher. Even as the tempo is raised higher, the support of Zenith Bank will remain consistent”, Onyeagwu assured.
Moreso, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the politicisation of security in the country was responsible for the insecurity across the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Netherlands at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, Wike said when security issues involve opposition states, the authorities play politics.
The governor said: “The problem we have is the politicisation of security. As an opposition state, once we have security challenges, politics is introduced”.
He urged the Government of Netherlands to give Rivers State the support it needs to tackle insecurity in the state.
Wike blamed multinational companies for encouraging insecurity by patronizing cultists for surveillance jobs.
He particularly accused Shell of being part of the major culprits, saying Shell divides communities to make sure that the people do not work together with one voice.
“Shell is part of the major culprits. Shell divides communities to make sure that the people don’t work together. Shell doesn’t want to implement memorandum of understanding signed with communities.
“I sat in a meeting with Shell, Agip and Total. It was Shell only that refused to implement the Memorandum of Understanding. Despite the actions of Shell, we shall continue to protect national assets”, he said.
On the Ogoni clean-up, Wike said that the Federal Government has not shown seriousness and commitment to the project.
He said that they were only interested in the political gain of the project.
Wike said that he remains committed to all his campaign promises, saying that he would work towards fulfilling them during his second term.
He said: “Every promise made, we will try to actualize them. Youths will have 40 per cent in the new cabinet. This 40 per cent will cover men and women. There will be another 20 per cent for women. This means that women will have more than 20 per cent in the next cabinet”.
Wike called on the Netherlands Embassy to attract agricultural investors to the state for the purpose of job creation.
In her remarks, the Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Netherlands, Mrs Marian Van De Cappello congratulated the Rivers State governor on his well-deserved victory during the Governorship Election.
She commended the Rivers State governor for initiating reconciliation between political gladiators in the state, adding that with reconciliation, the state would experience peace and development.
Cappello praised Wike for pledging to increase women and youth participation in his next cabinet.
The diplomat said she was also in the state to participate in the clean-up of Ogoniland.
Similarly, in line with its commitment to improving security across the state, Rivers State Government would henceforth sanction any company that awards surveillance jobs to cultists.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike made this known during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Wike said that before such surveillance jobs are awarded, the companies should inform the state government for proper scrutiny of the beneficiaries.
“Companies encourage cultists by giving them surveillance jobs. We must know those doing these surveillance jobs.
“When you empower them, they have more money to acquire arms. Any company that gives surveillance jobs to cultists will be sanctioned”.
He appealed to the French Ambassador to prevail on the authorities not to politicise the security of the country.
Wike called on the French Embassy to take steps to ensure that Air France returns to Port Harcourt, emphasising that the state government was prepared to support the airline through relevant policies.
He urged the management of Air France to reconsider their action and return to Port Harcourt.
The governor said that his administration would continue to work towards enhancing a fruitful relationship with the French Government.
Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier noted that there is a major French Presence in Rivers State through the operations of Total and other professionals.
He said that the embassy would continue to work towards greater French presence in the state.
Pasquier added that the Embassy was working hard to persuade more French investors to come to Nigeria, especially Rivers State.
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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.