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Rivers PDP Hails Pioneer LG Party Bosses For Building Foundation For Growth

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The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor, has hailed pioneer PDP Local Government Chairmen for laying solid foundation for the growth and development of the party in the state.
He made the commendation when he hosted a delegation of Forum of Former PDP LGA Party Chairmen (1998 to 2021) in his office at the party Secretariat, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Akawor commended the pioneer PDP local government chairmen for effective management of the party at that time.
He said as foundation chairmen, they were able to build the party on a foundation that stood the test of time, noting that their love and patriotism for the party were unprecedented.
“For you to have been the foundation of this party when nobody gave them opportunity of surviving, and you are still here to witness what is happening in the party, I think that this is a very important group. Assuming you people did not package what we are witnessing today, and there were crises and it collapsed, of course, nobody would have been talking about PDP today.”
Speaking on the quality of persons that made up the group, Akawor referred to them as men who have distinguished themselves in politics.
“Your forum can boast of former ministers, former secretary to state governments, former commissioners, etc, what other qualities do you expect and how else would you expect the public to rate this foundation”?
Akawor, who told the forum that the time has come for them to come out and join in strengthening the party, urged them to continue to encourage the people not to be deceived by anyone, assuring them of a special place in the party in the state.
He revealed that when the party at the national level was in crisis, it was the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who came out as the Gideon in the Bible to recover the party but regretted that those who walked out of the party at the Eagles Square, Abuja, were now saying that they cannot work with him.
Akawor announced that the former party chairmen would be made to participate actively in the activities of the party, noting that though campaigns have not started, Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) would commence sensitisation programme across the LGAs beginning with Ikwerre Local Government Area on Sunday.
“By INEC timetable, we have not started campaigning till September. What we have done now through our NGO – GDI – is to start some sensitisation programme. By Sunday, we are starting with the Ikwerre LGA, and every week, we are in one LGA to sensitise our people so that we can conclude every LGA before September when the campaign team will take over”.
While thanking them for the visit, which he said, had helped in bringing out the group, Akawor told them that they would be included in the campaign team for the 2023 elections.
Earlier, the leader of the forum and former PDP Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Mela Oforibika, had said their visit was to introduce themselves to the leadership of the party, and also to pledge their readiness to work for the party.
“We have to put ourselves to work with you to ensure that in this transition, which God has placed you with your wealth of experience as former ambassador, you have been consistent in the way you handle things with a lot of energy, a lot of experience and the forthright way which you do your things that you have been known for all through the years.I have been a very keen watcher of your activities”.
Oforibika also announced that the forum was in support of every candidate produced by the party during the various primaries, especially the Gubernatorial candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, saying that they were prepared to work with him and the party.
He praised Governor Nyesom Wike for fighting a good battle for which every Rivers man stood behind him, noting that through Wike, the country now knows that there were people in Rivers State that can move the country to a new level of growth.
On the delegation were a one-time minister of industries; former Secretary to the State Government, and one-time Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Kobani, who was the pioneer PDP chairman in Gokana; Prince Roland Nziidee; and Doctor Kaananwi Luke; both party chairmen of Khana between 1998 And 1999.
Others were Hon Abiye Davies; Chief Dandison Gbupo, pioneer PDP chairman of Opobo/Nkpro; and Chief Blessing Nwafor.

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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

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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.

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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

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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

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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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