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RSG Clears Air On Arrest Of Caverton Pilots …Accuses FG Of Politicising Efforts To Prevent COVID-19 Spread …As Nsirim Affirms Wike’s Commitment To Care Of Underprivileged

The Rivers State Government has stated that the story being carried in some media that the two pilots and 10 passengers of Caverton Helicopters who were arrested by the state government because they acted to the directives of the Ministry of Aviation, is misleading.
Stating this in a press briefing, last Saturday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said that on the contrarily, the arrest was made because the pilots repeatedly disobeyed the Executive Order of the governor to the effect that everyone coming into the state must present themselves for health checks to determine their Coronavirus status.
According to Nsirim, “Contrary to the view being peddled by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the two pilots of Caverton Helicopters and their 10 passengers were not arrested because they operated a permit granted them by the Ministry of Aviation.
“They were arrested because they constantly contravened the Executive Order issued by the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, which requires that everyone coming into the state for essential duties subject themselves to mandatory health checks to ascertain their Coronavirus status”.
He stated that before their arrests, the Rivers State Government had issued several warnings to Caverton and other operators to ensure that their pilots and passengers are tested by Rivers State Health Authorities, but that Caverton Helicopters had disregarded the warnings.
“At the last count, Caverton Helicopters ferried over 220 passengers into the state without allowing health professionals of the Rivers State Government ascertain their Coronavirus status. They also refused to avail the state government their contacts, so they can be traced and tested”, he said.
While stating that the state government was more committed to the protection of the lives of over six million Rivers people, rather than issue landing permits to airlines, or contending for the control of the airspace, Nsirim said, “The issue on ground has nothing to do with the Exclusive List.
“The focus of the Rivers State Government is to ensure that nobody under the guise of transporting workers on essential services, ferry in persons who will compromise our health system. Therefore, these pilots and passengers must be subjected to health checks before they carry out their responsibilities. That is standard practice”.
It is for the same reason, Nsirim noted, that the Federal Government has isolated Chinese doctors they invited into the country to assist in the fight against the Coronavirus.
“The Federal Government, as we speak, has quarantined Chinese doctors who are in the country on invitation of the operators of the Exclusive List. These Chinese doctors will be isolated for 14 days as a precaution before they mix with Nigerians. If the Federal Government has done that in Abuja for Chinese officials that they invited, why do they insist that persons coming into Rivers State must enter the state without health checks?”, Nsirim asked.
He noted that, given the foregoing, the aviation minister’s claim that the arrest was effected because Caverton Helicopters’ operations were based on permit granted them by the Ministry of Aviation amounts to an “indecent and reckless politicisation of the fight to check the spread of Coronavirus by agents of the Federal Government, especially as it relates to Rivers State”.
The information boss added that, “From all indications, it is clear that there is a plot to compromise the health of Rivers people. Otherwise, what is the motive for the grandstanding and the sponsorship of false editorials to mislead Nigerians by agents of the Federal Government?
“The Rivers State Government urges the Federal Government to direct all their business associates to subject themselves to health checks to ascertain their Coronavirus status. On this premise, the Rivers State Government is not prepared to compromise.
“The safety of Rivers people is beyond any other consideration. No amount of yellow journalism will diminish the leading role Governor Nyesom Wike has provided the entire country since the outbreak of Coronavirus.
“Governor Wike, through the various prevention strategies he had initiated, has demonstrated to the entire world that he is prepared for leadership. The truth is that it is in time of crisis like the whole world is facing now, that you know genuine leaders.
“The Rivers State Government respects the rule of law and has acted within the ambit of the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, as the lockdown on markets alongside the stay-at-home order by the Rivers State Government continues, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, has assured that the underprivileged people living and doing business in the state would be catered for.
Making this known, last Saturday, during the distribution of food items to the people of Ward 18, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, as part of palliative measures by the state government, the commissioner stated that it was part of the governor’s commitment towards alleviating the suffering of the downtrodden in the state.
“The governor of Rivers State said that he has seen the hardships the people of Rivers State are facing, because of COVID-19, and as a man, who has sworn an oath to protect lives and properties of Rivers people; he would do all within his powers to ensure that nobody suffers from hunger in this period. This is what a visionary leader would do”, he said.
It is in pursuant to this stance, Nsirim explained that the governor has taken various steps in not only checking Coronavirus infection in the state since it came to the fore in Nigeria, and food items are made available to the downtrodden.
“You will recall that since this Coronavirus broke out in Nigeria, the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has played a leading role in showing leadership in terms of strategies for prevention and other things. Right now, he is also showing leadership in terms of catering for the downtrodden and less privileged in the state”, the commissioner stated.
He noted further that for this purpose, the governor had set aside the sum of N2billion to ensure that “no matter where you are in Rivers State, as long as you live and do business in Rivers State, you’ll not die of hunger. There’s a committee that he (governor) has set up again to purchase all the foodstuffs that are produced in Rivers State: yam, garri, plantain, fish, etc. All those things that are edible that Rivers people like to eat, that committee is going round now in all the LGAs in Rivers State to buy them”.
While expressing appreciation over the leadership style of the governor, Nsirim also noted that Rivers people in Diaspora, in countries such as the United States and United Kingdom, have at various times, expressed the same appreciation since news of COVID-19 broke out in Nigeria.
Receiving the food items on behalf of the ward, a religious leader, Prophet Michael Ichemati, expressed gratitude to the governor, and promised that they would ensure the food items get to the needy in the ward.
Ichemati said: “I want to use this opportunity given to me to express our gratitude to our governor, who has been so much forthcoming to reach out to the people. We want to also thank the committee for their time, and, having seen what they have presented to the ward, we want to say God will reward you all.
“We’re promising that what you have given to us today will get to those that need it most. We sincerely appreciate what you people have given to us. God bless you”, he added.
In his response, the state Commissioner for Transport, Sunny Ejeku, who is a member of the ward, said “This is my community, this is my ward, and I know the impact of what HE has done will create in the lives of the people here. When you give a man food, you’re preserving his life. The COVID-19 pandemic has come with all other side effects, most of which have to do with complaint of hunger. Social distancing has to be maintained.
“Thank God that His Excellency has the drive and the leadership style, which he has employed to save the lives of Rivers people”.
On his part, the traditional head of the ward, Eze Omunakwe Innocent Ejekwuaka, also thanked the governor for the food items, praying that God should grant him more ideas to cater for the needy.
Also present at the presentation were the Councillor of the ward, Henry Ichemati, and the Women Leader of Oro-Obaziolu Community, Madam Mercy Orlu.
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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.
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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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