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Riverine Endorsement: Andoni Youth Declare Support For Wike …As Northern Elders Condole Wike Over Aguma
Thousands of Andoni youths have declared their support for the re-election of Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying that they would not be intimidated by the plot of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to illegally use security agencies to rig.
The youths, who marched through the streets of Ngo, the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area, stated that they would vote for Wike and stand at different collation centres to defend their votes.
Speaking during the sensitization tour of One Million Youths for New Rivers State, last Saturday, the youths stated that as a riverine council, Andoni people have experienced the good works of Wike.
The PDP Youth Leader of Andoni Local Government Area, Mr McDonald Simeon noted that Andoni was purely a PDP area where the governor has touched the people through projects.
The Coordinator of One Million Youths for New Rivers State, Hon Ehie Edison said the group stormed Andoni Local Government Area to confirm the support base of Wike.
He said the massive turnout of youths shows the willingness of the people to re-elect the governor.
He said: “We have tested their strength and zeal to re-elect Governor Wike. They have proven to us that they are ready to work for the victory of Governor Wike. The youths in this number will stand up and vote Governor Wike again”.
He stated that the plot by the APC Federal Government to use security agencies to rig would fail as youths are prepared to work within the law to resist them and ensure their votes count.
He said that the APC would be put to shame by the outcome of the 2019 general elections where the PDP would win overwhelmingly in Rivers State.
Member of the House of Representatives representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon Owaji Abiante said by the massive turnout of youths, the people have shown that they appreciate the investments of Wike in the area.
“We only expressed our support for the man we trust. The man that we know is Governor Wike. The man whom the world has given several beautiful names due to his performance. This is a man who has been working assiduously to guarantee hope and a new Rivers State”, he said
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said that the name of Wike was linked to performance in the riverine communities of Andoni, hence their decision to support his re-election.
He said that the governor has recorded several achievements in Andoni Local Government Area that have endeared him to the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Mr Paul Lawrence said in 2019, Andoni people would show appreciation by voting Wike.
Meanwhile, Northern elders have commiserated with the government and people of Rivers State over the death of the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof Ango Abdulahi, conveyed the condolences of the Northern Elders during a visit to Governor Nyesom Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He urged Rivers people to be consoled by the fact that the late Attorney-General left worthy legacies that would stand the test of time.
The former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University stated that death was a necessary end for every human being, pointing out that everyone should work towards improving the society.
He prayed God to grant the people of Rivers State the strength to bear the great loss.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike thanked the Northern Elders for their condolence visit during the state’s moment of grief.
He said that Rivers people are coming to terms with the fact that their Attorney-General is no more.
The governor noted that the government and people of Rivers State would give the Late Attorney-General a befitting burial between September 12 and 15, 2018.
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.