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Demise Of A Legend: Emmanuel C Aguma (SAN)
Last Friday, the Rivers State Government broke the sad news of the death of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN.
In an emotion-laden statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, the state government said, “It is with very deep pain but gratitude to the Almighty God that the Rivers State Government wishes to announce the demise of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, today, Friday 10th August, 2018 in a London hospital.
Until his death, Emmanuel Chiwenwo Aguma, SAN served the State with amazing sense of responsibility, commitment, passion, competence and courage. At all times, even in his sick bed, his exemplary zeal to serve Rivers State never waned.
Consequently, the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike, directed that flags fly at half-mast for two days, beginning from last Saturday as a mark of honour to mourn the departed legend.
“Needless to say that Rivers State and indeed the nation will miss his versatility and invaluable contributions to the development of our state and Nigeria, this loss is monumental but we urge all people of goodwill to remember his wife, children, mother and the entire Late Chief Emmanuel W. Aguma’s family of Port Harcourt as well as the State in prayers”, the government said.
Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was a Rivers State lawyer and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politician.
He was, until his demise, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.
Between 2000 and 2002, Aguma worked as Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, and also chaired the Bar from 2006 to 2008.
On 10 July, 2015, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on him alongside 20 others, and were sworn in on 21 September, 2015.
Lamenting the death of the legal luminary, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that the late Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) gave his best to the state, serving it with unparalleled commitment and loyalty.
Speaking during a condolence visit by the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Wike said: “Aguma believed in everything we are doing in the state. He gave his all. He gave his best.
“I could call on him at anytime. He delivered on his assignments without excuses”.
Wike said that the late Attorney General showed intelligence, commitment and loyalty in his service to the state.
“His passage is most unfortunate. God gives and God takes. He was one of the closest to me on the cabinet. He died at a most critical time.
“You can have people who are intelligent, but are they loyal and committed? He had a combination of all. It is difficult to find a replacement for him. This is a loss for the cabinet and the entire state”, he said.
Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja said that the traditional rulers received the news of the death of the Attorney General of Rivers State with shock.
He said that his death is a loss of monumental proportions.
Jaja said after visiting the family, the traditional rulers resolved to visit the Rivers State Governor.
Other prominent indigenes of the state have been expressing their condolences via the condolence register at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
In her condolence message, the House of Representatives member for Abua-Odual-Ahoada East Federal Constituency, Hon. Betty Apiafi described the demise of the late Attorney General as “a difficult goodbye”, noting that God knows why it happened.
Another House of Representatives member representing Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency, Hon. Jerome Eke, said the news of the death of the late Attorney General, Hon. Emmanuel Aguma was unbelievable.
“He was one of my major friends and brothers. I can’t believe this story”, he wrote.
The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Marshall Stanley Uwom said he was perplexed, pained and in deep grief because of the death of the Attorney General of Rivers State.
“I am perplexed, pained and in deep grief. Your eloquent banters will continually play in my head. In all things, we shall give glory to God because you stood as a colossus and bestrode the legal landscape like a giant you truly are”, Uwom wrote.
In his condolence message , the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule noted with shock the death of the late Attorney General.
“It is really shocking, how can one believe that this kind of thing would be happening now? May your gentle soul rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he stated.
Also, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Gobo Bob Manuel stated that with the death of late Emmanuel Aguma, the Lord has called him for higher duties.
However, following the sad passage of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), flags at the Government House, Port Harcourt and other government offices flew at half-mast last Saturday.
On Friday, Wike, who received the news of the death of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) with shock and sadness, led some leaders of the state and members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to the Aguma Family House in Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt.
After commiserating with the Aguma family, Wike ordered that flags fly at half-mast for two days.
A condolence register has been opened in honour of the late Attorney General of Rivers State at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Prominent leaders of Rivers State and members of the State Executive Council have been expressing their condolences via the condolence register.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said that the sudden death of the Attorney General of Rivers State is a loss to humanity.
He wrote: “Yet again, the human landscape has been desecrated and further reduced by the sudden and unplanned departure of the Rivers State Attorney-General.
You will forever be remembered.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.