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Join Fubara To Move Rivers Forward, Wike Tells Opposition …Says He’ll Bow Out A Fulfilled Man

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has enjoined opposition parties that lost in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the State to join the governor-elect, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to consolidate the State’s current development trajectory.
The governor said with the elections over, all political actors genuinely interested in moving the State forward should embrace reconciliation that will guarantee peaceful coexistence in the State.
Wike extended the olive branch to the opposition yesterday during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thanksgiving service held at All Saints Cathedral (Anglican Communion), Rumuokwurusi, in honour of the governor-elect, his deputy, and other elected representatives of Rivers State at the National and State House of Assembly.
He urged opposition parties in the State that wish to seek legal redress in the election petition tribunal to reconsider their stance and prioritise the development of the State above personal ambition.
“I urge those who are going to tribunal that they should leave it, let Rivers State move forward. Support the governor-elect to move Rivers State forward”, he said.
Wike noted that some of those who are bent on seeking legal redress at the election petition tribunal, knew that Rivers people rejected them at the poll for allegedly defrauding the State Government of $50M.
According to him, they are going to the tribunal is aimed at distracting the governor-elect just as they did to his administration.
“If we were not focused, we would have been distracted and that is what they want to do now, by making sure the governor-elect is distracted. I want to urge you (Fubara), don’t be afraid. God who gave you the mantle will never disappoint you. Be focused, and do the work you have been elected for. Leave the tribunal for your lawyers to do their work. Focus in your work. God will lead you through”, Wike prayed.
Citing the tremendous developmental achievements recorded by his administration in all the 23 local government areas of the State since 2015, Wike said it is disingenuous for any political party to accuse the PDP of rigging the 2023 election in the State.
He said, “We are proud and that is why we are able to sell ourselves. When people say there was fraud, I ask fraud committed by who? You mean with all we have done, with what PDP has showcased about the performance of the administration in this state, that we will bother ourselves on how to rig election. Certainly not possible.”
The governor implored the church to consistently intercede and make supplication for the governor-elect and his incoming administration to succeed, saying Rivers is a very strategic State where lots of persons within and outside the State have vested interest.
He advised his successor to be firm and resolute in defending the interest of the State irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He said, “As I am going, I am going very satisfied. My shoulders are high that I am finishing well because that has been my dream.”
Wike charged those elected to represent the State in the National Assembly to prioritise the interest of the State and cautioned them not to go to Abuja and form a cartel in a bid to undermine the governor-elect, saying those who embark on such futile adventure always live to regret it.
He thanked God for His benevolence, noting that the PDP campaign team never recorded any accident, death throughout the campaign and even election in all the 23 local government areas of the State.
According to him, “No one gunshot throughout our campaign. We thank God Almighty that we were able to campaign throughout the 23 LGAs and then went in for the elections as members of the Peoples Democratic Party. I have not heard of any report that we lost any of our persons during the election.”
In his sermon, Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, Rt. Reverend Innocent Ordu, stated that Rivers peoples voted for PDP candidates owing to the sterling performance of Governor Wike in office with the hope that they will continue in his footsteps.
He declared that God demands from every government the kind of responsiveness that offers good governance with servant leaders attitude.
The Bishop charged the PDP to not only sustain the culture of thanksgiving but serve as potent link between the people and the government so that the new administration does not become isolated from the people.
He urged the governor-elect to assemble a formidable team of experts in his bid to serve the state while also bracing up to be a transformer with strategic leadership drive in order to perform more excellently.
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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

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

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

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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