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Be Professional, Wike Urges Police Officers …Tasks Christians On Prayers For State, Govt
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has charged officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force to be professional in the discharge of their duties to ensure a safe and secured nation.
Wike stated this at the Groundbreaking/Foundation Laying Ceremony of Skills Acquisition Centre by the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Hajia Hajara Usman Baba at the Igwuruta Divisional Police Headquarters in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Friday.
This is as the Rivers State governor, has called on Christians and church leaders to continue in their prayers for the peace, development, and growth of the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, observed that, Nigeria needs men and women of the police and military to display professionalism in the discharge of their duties without regard to politics, ethnicity or creed.
Speaking to the President of POWA, who is also wife of the Inspector General of Police, the governor said, “We thank your husband, the Inspector General of Police through you, so far he has tried to be professional in the discharge of his duties. That is what Nigeria needs.
“I urge you to tell him to continue to strive to do so because it is the right way to go. He should remain steadfast and discharge his duties as a professional police officer. You can see that because he is doing his work professionally, it is robbing off on our police officers in the state.
“Our Commissioner of Police is performing very professionally, and you can see the result in the security of Rivers State. At least, every resident of the state can attest to the good security in the state. Rivers State is one of the most secured states in the country today. That is because the officers headed by the CP are doing their work professionally and cooperating with the governor and the state government to ensure safety of all, round the clock.
“I am very impressed with what you are doing here today, particularly that, you are matching your words with actions. We assure you that Rivers State Government will always support you to ensure that these laudable footprints come to fruition.
“We commend all officers through the CP and of cause all wives of our officers. Am sure if you are not giving your husbands the comfort and support they need, they would not be able to do what they are doing. Nowhere in the world is policing an easy job. When the entire family are supportive of the efforts of the officers, you begin to see the result.
“We thank you dear President of POWA, you have a heart of gold to ensure the wives and children of the officers of the Nigerian Police are catered for.
“They say don’t just give a man a fish, but teach him how to fish. This skill acquisition centre is to teach them how to fish. It is very important that the wives and children take education and skill acquisition very seriously. In the advent of emergencies, they should be able to stand and take care of those left in the family.
“The government of Rivers State has always taken steps to ensure that officers and men of the police force and other security agencies who have any problem in the cause of their service are attended to. The government does so to ensure those securing the state do so with confidence knowing that Rivers State Government will always have their back.
“Thank you for ensuring this effort truly manifests not only in the lives of dead officers but also those who are alive, including their wives and children,” he stressed.
In her remarks, the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and wife of the Inspector General of Police, Hajia Hajara Usman Baba thanked the governor for his continuous support to the officers and their wives in the state.
She noted that the skills acquisition centre was birthed to provide diverse skills for officers, their wives and children to be self-sufficient and proud members of society, and further encouraged wives of officers to continue being good and to keep the police barracks clean.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Friday Eboka said, when completed, the centre would be of immense benefit to all police officers, their wives and children.
The CP noted that he was not surprised that the welfare of officers, especially junior ones has improved with the IGP on board.
The wife of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mrs. Chimelum Eboka noted that when wives and children of officers are trained and empowered, they would be able to assist their husbands and contribute meaningfully to the Police Force and Nigeria.
Similarly, Governor Nyesom Wike has called on Christians and church leaders to continue in their prayers for the peace, development, and growth of the state.
Speaking during the Silver Jubilee Anniversary/Thanksgiving of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion at the St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu, Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Wike acknowledged that the successes of his administration were largely attributable to God and the prayers from Christians.
The governor, who was also represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, further urged Christians not to relent in their prayers, noting that more successes at the end of his administration were very crucial.
According to him: “I call on the clergy and all Christians to continue to support our administration and to pray for us always. Do not rest on your oars. As Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, the end of a thing is better than the beginning thereof. As we move towards 2023, the end of this tenure, your prayers should intensify. Pray that we will end even better.”
The governor thanked the Bishopric for enhancing the educational development of the state through the establishment of the Diocesan Educational Centre to train and retrain clerics and others.
“Every opportunity or position given to you can be a fruit to eat or seed to sow. Governor Wike has used the opportunity to rule the state as a seed. He has sown in the development of our state, the lives of the people and growth of Christendom in the state.
“I thank you for honouring him and admitting him into the Nehemiah Hall of Fame. It is the right thing to do. Even Jesus our Lord, showed us the importance of sowing or investing your seed properly in the Parable of the Talents,” he added.
The Guest Minister and Bishop, Diocese of Enugu North, Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze, while delivering his sermon anchored on Romans 1:8-17 and themed: “I Am A Debtor,” acknowledged that all Christians are debtors to God and their fellow human.
Taking the examples of Joseph and Daniel from the Holy Scriptures, he admonished Christians to develop Christlike-character to be responsible to people and the society.
He maintained that a man who recognises that he was a debtor, understands that the call of God on him was to serve, save and preserve the people.
Eze encouraged Christians to make peace with God, be anointed by the Holy Spirit, study the scriptures always and remain prayerful to grow spiritually.
He further admitted that Wike has carried out drastic infrastructural development as everyone who enters the state was aware of the visible good changes, just as he advised that the next phase of Rivers development should be in the area of industrialisation since the state now has a conducive environment.
The Lord Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo said the investiture of Governor Nyesom Wike into the Nehemiah Hall of Fame was in recognition of his infrastructural and economic reforms being put in place across the 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.