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God Won’t Give Power To Wicked, Treacherous People, Wike Blasts Critics …Says Projects’ Abandonment Alien To My Administration
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that he and his allies of the G5 were never playing God to determine who becomes the next president of Nigeria.
Wike stated this in reaction to a statement in the media that indicated that God would determine the next president of Nigeria, not G5 governors.
The Rivers State governor, speaking at the flag-off of Ogbo-Ihugbodo Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area, last Saturday, said, those behind the statement should have known that even if God gives power, He does not give it to the wicked.
“Don’t be treacherous in life because you want power. God will never give power to the wicked. Our hands are clean. We have not done anything wrong.
“All we are saying is: do things in a way that all of us will have sense of belonging, that all of us will believe that we are together.
“That is all we are saying. If saying so is wrong, then let it be to God. But we know it is good that as right takes, let left take also.”
Wike explained that members of the G5 believed in the omnipotence of God, and always aligned their various affairs to such, which was why they keep getting stronger by the day.
The Rivers State governor pointed out that the person who said that it was only God, and not G5 governors, who can decide who would be president, seemed not to understand the background of members of the group.
“We are alive today; we are where we are because of God. Nobody can even breathe air if not for God, not to talk of holding position. So, nobody can tell us that it is only God; we know that it is only God that gives power.
“But our prayer is that: God, don’t allow those who will sell off Nigeria in the next one second to be in power. Our prayer is: God, don’t allow anybody that you (people) will have an agreement with and in the next two minutes, the person will change.
“Our prayer is that almighty God will not allow those who will betray their brothers when they have agreed with their brothers to do something. God, may you never allow such people.”
Wike also noted that the person said that there would be division among the G5, an expectation that had long been frustrated since May/June, 2022.
“It has never worked, and it will never work in Jesus name. By sitting down to say there will be division, I send back that prayer to you.
“I don’t want to discuss them. I have told people; allow the sleeping dog lie. If you don’t allow the sleeping dog lie, you too will not sleep.”
The Rivers State governor also pointed to another person, who said that they would handle members of the G5 when they have decided where to throw their support.
“These are the things that annoy us. Who is this person saying this? I heard them say that PDP is a responsible party; I agree. But when they left PDP in 2014 against 2015; when they left and made PDP to lose our election. Today, we are struggling to take over power from APC. Who are those who made us to lose this power?”
Commenting on the project, Wike the Ogbo-Ihugbodo road was one of the many projects his administration had continued to deliver to restore Ahoada Town and the surrounding communities to what it used to be when it was a divisional headquarters.
The governor emphasised that it was already established that he was creating an unbeatable record as an administration in Nigeria that would continue to deliver democratic dividends until the last day of his tenure.
Wike stated that the jealousy expressed by some detractors was because of the capacity he had continued to demonstrate in governance, combining delivery of projects and attending to issues of governance with none suffering.
He threw a challenge to those who feel jealous to also show capacity and combine projects’ flag-off, inauguration and governance simultaneously, if they can.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dakorinima Alabo George-Kelly said the Ogbo-Ihugbodo road was 6.1kilometre-long, with about 4.1kilometre cutting through fresh vegetation.
He stated that the road was 7.3meters wide, had 4kilometre length of drains, on both sides and should be delivered within five months.
He said, “This road comprises 2kilometres in the built up area, and 4.1kilometres fresh road. So, we will have a total of 6.1kilometres. The width is going to be 7.3metres. We are going to have a lot of soil replacement done, average 350 to 600millimetres depth”.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.