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I’ll Resign If Anyone Can Prove I Promised He’ll Be My Successor -Wike …Says I’ll Campaign With Infrastructure Award

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has vowed to resign from office if anyone could prove he promised to make him his successor.
The governor said by virtue of his character, it was inconceivable that he would make a promise to help someone to succeed him, and then, renege on it.
He gave the clarification, last Monday night, during a state banquet held in Government House, Port Harcourt, to celebrate the recent conferment of “Distinguished Award InInfrastructure Delivery” on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike explained that it had become pertinent to correct erroneous lies peddled by some persons that he reneged on his promise to make them his successor.
“God gives power. There is never any day I had ever sat with anybody, I challenge whoever will say he sat with me, and I made a promise to him that, look the way things are going, you will be the (next) governor. If anybody can come out and challenge me, I will resign as governor of Rivers State.”
The governor noted that during every political transition, it was natural for politicians to be ambitious, even when they know that their dream and aspiration were unrealisable.
According to him, he never at any time since assumption of office promised anyone the seat of the governor of Rivers State.
“I never, because if I did, my conscience won’t allow me to sleep. Anything I tell you I will do, I will do it, it doesn’t matter what it is.”
He remarked that a resounding defeat awaits the opposition in the state as the award bestowed on him by the Buhari-led Federal Government had already sealed their fate.
“If the ruling party (All Progressives Congress APC) can say ‘you have done well’, who is that person, let them come and campaign here. Bring your report card; I will bring the award and the certificate. President Buhari said, ‘you (Wike) have done well’.”
The governor, who dedicated the award to God Almighty and the people of Rivers State, said but for God’s divine benevolence and the support of Rivers people, it would have been almost impossible for his administration to achieve much since 2015.
He thanked the Legislature and Judiciary for working in synergy with the Executive for the interest and benefit of the state.
The governor commended all the service chiefs, the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their steadfastness in ensuring that Rivers State remains one of the safest states in the country.
“Today, we won’t be talking about peace in Rivers if the service commanders and the police are not doing their best. They are putting in their best, and for the first time in Rivers State, we are not having problem.
“Today, they say we are the best in infrastructure delivery, assuming there is no peace: can contractors work?”
Wike disclosed that he had authorised the Accountant General of State to pay a total of N60billion to contractors working on various projects in the 23 local government areas of the state to enable them conclude the projects on time.
The governor said he was elated that his administration was able to award contracts for 12 flyover bridges between 2019 and 2022.
“From 2019 to 2022, in three years, we have done 10 flyovers. By 2023, which is four years, we would have done 12 flyovers”, Wike said.
The Rivers State governor reiterated that he would not abandon any project started by his administration for the incoming government.
In his goodwill message, the former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, said the award bestowed on Wike by Buhariwas the best honourthat Rivers State has received since its creation.
“For Mr President, who is President on another platform to confer that honour on a governor, who is on a different opposition platform, is not an easy business. It is unique, it is historic.May Almighty God bless you for bringing that honour to the state”.
The former governor noted that whenever people talk about the achievements of Wike, what comes to mind are the flyover bridges, roads, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure.
He stressed that people often don’t see the governor’s huge investments in human resource development.
“One investment that you have made which people are not seeing now, but will see in future, is your investment in human resource development. As we speak, you have positioned Rivers State to become the greatest producer of human resource in the medical and legal profession for the future.
“From next year, which is the year you’re going to terminate your tenure as governor, you would have laid the foundation for Rivers State to produce not less than a 100 medical doctors of Rivers State origin.”
On his part, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice ChibuzorAmadi, commended the governor for identifying and tackling infrastructure needs of the state.
Similarly, the Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council andAmanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja; Chairman, Rivers PDP Elders’ Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; and former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J. Okocha, SAN; commended the governor for making the state proud.

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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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