Featured
Wike Gives N60m To Three Slain Policemen’s Families …Launches Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem With N50m
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has announced the donation of N60million by the state government to the families of three slain policemen.
The governor also said that the yearly raising of funds to cater for the welfare of war veterans and families of fallen heroes was not sustainable, and should be discouraged.
Wike suggested that rather, Federal Government should set up a standing fund for that purpose, which would be replenished with yearly budgetary allocation as it was done in countries that truly value the contributions of the security agencies.
He announced the donation when he spoke at the Rivers State Emblem Appeal Fund Launching held at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor emphasised that the day set aside to launch emblem should only be for remembrance purposes, reflecting on the sacrifices made by men and women of the armed forces in keeping Nigerians together and ensuring that peace prevails in the country.
He said: “I think that we are tired in this country with every year meeting to launch emblem to support families of the fallen heroes.
“What I thought, as is done in advance countries, is that the day should be used for remembrance of their (veterans) efforts.
“That means, by now, as a country, we should have a standing fund that will take care of the families of the fallen heroes. That is what serious countries should be talking about.”
Wike noted that when such was done, the call on individuals and corporate entities by legionnaires would not be the norm anymore.
He pointed out that it becomes a mockery when the day is spent in soliciting for financial support as an enduring measure of sustenance of legionnaires.
“When you say, you solicit for support of corporate bodies; they laugh at us, and say: what kind of country is this?
“People who have fought for you? People who have laid down their lives for you to be alive to continue with what you are doing? We are still talking about: how do we support them?”
Wike remarked that it was most likely the reason why officers of the nation’s security agencies were not committed to professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“They know when they die, all they will hear is launching of emblem to help their families. So, they are involved in so many things to take care of their families in case anything happens to them.”
Wike stated that it was the reason why the oil bunkering business seemed to have continued unabated, even if it was an economic sabotage, allegedly aided by the security agencies.
The governor commended the Rivers State Police Command for tracking down the killers of three policemen around Rumuokoro in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Wike announced that the Rivers State Government would give N20million to each of the families of the three slain policemen.
On behalf of the Rivers State Government, Wike also launched the emblem with N50million.
In his speech, Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Legion, Justice Chichi, noted the immeasurable support members of the legion have received from the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Wike.
Chichi declared that no one else across the country has contributed as much to the welfare of the legionnaires as the Rivers State governor.
“In 2018, you (Wike) approved the establishment of a scholarship scheme and the award of scholarship to 55 orphans. In 2019, you gave us a brand new coaster bus to ease our operations.
“In 2022, you further approved the award of scholarship to 50 orphans, having graduated some of the earlier beneficiaries. You have continued to support our widows in great measures.”
On his part, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said the Emblem Appeal Fund Launching signals the commencement of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in the state.
The events, he noted, was organised in acknowledgement of the selfless services rendered by men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces to ensure the civil population enjoyed peace.
“Today, we have gathered to honour and appreciate these wonderful people for the comforts they provided for us and our businesses.
“They served with heart and might and truly their labour‘shall not be in vain’. I urge all of us here to join governor of Rivers State, who since 2015 to date magnanimously provided for thewelfare of the Nigerian Legion as a body, and at the family levels.
“Let us remember that ‘on the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind’. Therefore, as those who benefitted immensely from their service, and shall continue to benefit; let us show by our deeds, today that we will never leave the veterans, their widows and children behind.”
Among others, who launched at the event included Port Harcourt Local Government Chairman, Hon Allwell Ihunda, who launched N23million on behalf of the 23 local government areas.
Elder Ferdinand Alabraba launched N5million on behalf of Rivers Elders, and the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, launched the emblem with N1million on behalf of Rivers traditional rulers.
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.