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COVID-19: Rivers Palliative C’ttee Debunks Alleged Hijack Of Foodstuffs …Urges Journalists To Be Objective In Reportage …As Police Investigate Alleged Extortion Of Food Truck Drivers

Published

5 years ago

April 17, 2020

The Rivers State COVID-19 Palliative Distribution Committee has debunked allegations from some quarters of foodstuffs meant for the less privileged being hijacked by those who are supposed to distribute them to the targeted people.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who cleared the air in a live television broadcast, Stewardship, yesterday, at the Rivers State Television, stated that such allegations were not true.
Nsirim, who serves as the secretary of the committee, explained that the chances of anyone hijacking of the foodstuffs were not even there as alleged, based on the constitution of the committee and its modus operandi.
According to him, towards ensuring that the palliatives get to the less privileged in the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state that it is meant for, conscious and strategic measures have been put in place.
“We (the committee) have ensured that monitoring is effective. So, we challenge anybody who has evidence that these materials (foodstuffs) were hijacked to get it to us. We’ll investigate and take appropriate action.
“Right now, what we’re dealing with is hearsay, and, of course, you know that hearsays are neither here nor there”, he said.
Part of the measures taken to forestall any attempt to hijack the foodstuffs, and for it to get to those there were meant for, he said, is the fact that beside the 24-man Palliative Committee that was appointed by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the committee hands over the foodstuffs to notable persons at the ward levels of each LGA.
The commissioner explained that, “when the issue of palliatives came up, the committee he (Governor Wike) set up was drawn from critical stakeholder groups: you have members of the State Executive Council, LG Council chairmen, members of the Armed Forces, and religious groups that made up the 24-man committee set up for food distribution.
“At the inauguration of the committee, because it’s a grassroots committee, he set out the criteria: he said thsee palliatives will be for the vulnerable, and that has to do with the aged, widows, those who cannot afford anything within this period. He also said this is not for partisan interest, it’s not for tribal interest. The criteria for this (committee) was clearly spelt out”, he said.
This criteria, he continued, was carried to the letter by the Chairman of the committee, Amb Desmond Akawor, in order to ensure that the governor’s directive was strictly adhered to.
“When we had the inaugural meeting, he (Akawor) ensured that the committee set up a kind of community-based approach to the distribution of the palliatives. The way it is run, for every ward, those who receive the palliatives from the committee include a traditional ruler, a religious leader, a woman leader, a youth leader, chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC), and the councillor of the ward”, he said.
Beyond this, the commissioner stated further that when the palliatives get to the ward, “a member of the Central Working Committee supervised by Amb Akawor, supervises the distribution of the food items”, adding that “the supervisory role of the Central Committee also happens at the ward level”.
The commissioner, who also used the opportunity to assure Rivers people and those living and doing business in the state of the determination of the state governor to make life easier for all by being proactive and strategic in governance, particularly as it relates to prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, also urged journalists to be objective in their reportage.
“What I say to people is that posterity will judge every action or inaction. Journalists can make or mar. Journalists are Agenda-Setters.
“So, my advise to Journalists, even at this critical time, is to please be objective in your reportage. We’re setting the agenda for other states to follow. Try and see the positive things that Rivers State Government is doing under Governor Nyesom Wike.
“We’re open to collaboration, we’re open to criticism. When I appear on programmes like this, I take it as a channel of feedback for governance”, he stated.
Meanwhile, following allegations of extortion to the tune of N80,000 on the police by food truck drivers being what they allegedly pay to the security agents at the state’s borders to be allowed entry into the state, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the state Police Command was currently investigating the matter.
This, he said, also includes allegation of bribery of lower amount from N1,000 and above paid to security agents at the state’s borders by people in order to gain entry into the state.
Omoni, who spoke via telephone on the television programme to respond to the allegations, said, “as far as I’m concerned, we’ve received pockets of complaints. … As we speak now, we’re at Oyigbo border post where we’re going to inspect the activities of our men”.
Responding to further questions, the state police spokesperson explained that the command currently has about nine of its men in custody over such allegations, and that investigation would be carried out on complaints received so far.

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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2025

The Tide

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.