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I’m Prepared To Be President For Better Nigeria -Wike …As Friends Present Nomination Form To Rivers Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that he was fully prepared for the assignment of being the president of Nigeria because he has the capacity to address lingering issues of insecurity and poor national economy.
Wike maintained that Nigerians can no longer resign to fate, suffer the pains of harsh economy and wanton killings under the watch of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
He made these remarks when a group, the Northern Progressive Elements and Friends of Wike, in Abuja, presented the purchased Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to the Rivers State governor, yesterday, to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor stated that it was time to save the country from the intractable lies of the APC-led Federal Government that was completely bereft of governance.
Wike emphasised that both Nigerians and the PDP do not need persons that would chicken out when intimidated by the APC in the build up to the 2023 general election.
“They have tried it with me. They know that they can never succeed. They did it in Rivers State; we said no, it will never work. And it didn’t work. If you give us the ticket, go home and sleep.”
Wike pointed to how the APC has failed woefully on a continuous basis in addressing economic concerns of Nigerians.
According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) boasts of how much it was spending to boost agriculture without visible impact and availability of food.
“Where is the food? Because if you have invested in agriculture, we should be seeing the result. Instead of people to eat, people are dying every day. Who are they deceiving?
“We took oath of office to protect lives and property. If we cannot protect lives and property, there is no governance. You’re talking about food; agriculture.”
“How can you talk about agriculture when people cannot go to farm? How can you talk of improving the economy when investors have lost confidence in the country?”
The Rivers State governor said God has given him the wisdom, good health and it was time to utilise them to wrest power from the APC and tackle the numerous challenges facing the country.
“But it is a task that is surmountable with commitment and passion. By the special grace of God, with your support, we shall surmount the problems facing Nigeria.
“Let me tell PDP people, just like the former deputy national chairman said, we cannot just stay at home and be praying to God to give us power, no. God has given us the capacity. We must use that capacity and take over the power.”
Wike thanked the Northern Progressive Elements and Friends of Wike for presenting him with the forms and calling on him to contribute his quota to salvaging the country.
He assured that with their help, he would do his best possible in salvaging Nigeria under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Senator Sulieman Nazif, who presented the forms to Wike on behalf of the Northern Progressive Elements, explained that they decided to pool their resources together to purchase the forms because of their belief in the governor’s love for the country.
“Nigerians are in dire need of a leader that can show courage, a leader that can take them to the promise land, and that leader is no other person other than Governor Nyesom Wike. As we present to you this form, we will be by you, stand with you. Wherever you stand, you will find all of us around you, so that you can seize and collect that power, and bring that power back to the PDP.”
Also speaking, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, thanked all who contributed their resources to purchase the forms for the Rivers State governor.
He maintained that Nigeria at this point needs a leader that was energetic and not people that are tired and lack the direction to salvage the country.
“If you look at places around the world, energy and drive is something that you cannot wish away. He is also of the right age and in terms of intellect and commitment to a united, progressive Nigeria, he is also there. So, we are moving in the right direction.
“Well, I will say to others that may also want to purchase their own forms, they are free to collect their forms. They are free to tell us who they are, what they have achieved, and their plans for Nigeria.
“You may not like his (Wike’s) style but there are certain things that are very clear. Is he committed to a united Nigeria?Does he have the intellectual capacity for this job?Does he have the drive? So, you can collect your form if you wish. But for us, we are desirous of a new Nigeria.”
On his part, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, commended the group and friends of Wike for their kind gesture, and declared that, “Nigeria is at the verge of return to new Nigeria.”
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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.
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.
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.