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COVID-19: Be Vigilant, Nsirim Tells Hoteliers In Rivers …Says RSG’ll Not Compromise Health Of Citizens

The Rivers State Government has charged hoteliers across the state to be vigilant and not to allow their facilities to be used as hideouts for persons who may have symptoms of the novel Coronavirus, saying it would not compromise the health of her citizens in the course of making money.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, gave the charge during a meeting/training organised by the Rivers State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 with the Nigerian Hoteliers Association in Port Harcourt, yesterday; attended by officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Nsirim also charged hoteliers and those in the hospitality industry to key into the agenda of the Rivers State Government led by Governor Nyesom Wike, saying they have a critical role to play to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.
He reiterated that the governor has said this is a period of sacrifice even as their businesses are also being affected.
The commissioner further said, “We are in very challenging time. Your businesses will be having some impact. That is why if you listen to all the broadcast made by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, he calls this season a time for sacrifice. We will not compromise the health of our people because we want to make money.
“It is a sacrifice that will soon end and our businesses will return to normal. So, it is necessary that all of you who are in the hospitality industry should key into the agenda of the state government. You will see that His Excellency has shown visionary leadership since the outbreak of COVID-19 in terms of prevention strategies.
“We are the first state to close our borders, close all the ports and airports. We are the first to set up an enlightenment committee. We are also the first state to purchase foodstuffs to alleviate the sufferings of the people at this time. So, His Excellency means well, and for us in the state, we only have two cases of Coronavirus because of the prevention strategies that have been put in place here, and of course, with the help of God Almighty.
“So, we are believing that we won’t record more cases. So, controlling the virus is actually everyone’s business. It is our collective business to ensure that everyone is safe. For you in the hospitality industry, don’t allow your hotels to be used as hideouts for people who may have the symptoms.
“So, for every hotel manager here, if somebody comes into your hotel and you notice some of these symptoms, it is your patriotic duty to ensure that you report such things to the Ministry of Health,” he stated, and thanked the state Chairman of Nigeria Hoteliers Association, Eugene Nwauzi, for his initiative in helping to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
He added, “Let me say that those of you in the hospitality industry have a very critical role to play in the prevention of Coronavirus in the state. A lot of people come to your hotels for one transaction or the other. Maybe, sometimes, to lodge as guests, and in this season, nobody knows who is who; and the kind of health status of individuals that will come to your hotels.
“That is why it is important that you understand how to begin to engage your customers to ensure that they don’t come, and then, spread the virus in your hotels. What we are seeing, for example, in Hotel Presidential now (making reference to the social distancing sitting arrangement) is laudable, and I think that that is what all the hotels in Rivers State should be doing now.”
He urged them to put the handbills distributed to them in their hotel rooms and receptions to enable anyone who comes into the hotels to know the dos and don’ts as regards to personal hygiene and social distancing in this period, and also urged them to pass on the information gathered from the meeting to all those in the industry, saying, “Everyone needs to be part of what we are doing. I pray that God using all of you, we won’t record any incident from the hotel industry in Rivers State.
Dennis Naku
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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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