The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Witness claims Fayose lavished FG’s N1.2bn on property, others

    Witness claims Fayose lavished FG’s N1.2bn on property, others

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has heard how a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, allegedly gave N1,219,000,000 cash belonging to the Federal Government to a former Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    A former operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, told Justice Chukujekwu Aneke that Fayose lavished the money on property, among other things.

    Fayose and his firm Spotless Investment Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an 11-count charge of alleged laundering of N6.9 billion.

    The Nation recalls that Obanikoro had, in the course of the proceedings, narrated how the N1.2bn was allegedly taken to Fayose on an aircraft.

    In continuation of his evidence on Thursday, Madaki, the 13th prosecution witness, told the judge that from the money, Fayose bought property worth N270 million from one Rabiu Kundili in Abuja and also deposited N100 million in a fixed account.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the EFCC operative stated that between June 17 and 27, 2014, a total cash deposit of N150 million was lodged into the bank account of the 2nd Defendant (Spotless Investment Limited), by one Biodun Agbele, an aide to Fayose.

    Another sum of N168 million was further deposited into Spotless Investment Limited’s bank account on August 24, he added.

    He maintained that the money was released from the impress accounts in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    The witness explained that the impress accounts were under the control of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    He further stated that the claim by the first defendant (Fayose) that the N1,219,000,000 was the campaign funds from his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was investigated, and found to be false.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    He said: “In our investigation, we contacted the People’s Democratic Party secretariat in Abuja. The party denied receiving any money from the National Security Adviser or the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “The party also said it did not give any campaign money to Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to give to the first defendant.

    “So the funds moved from Diamond Bank to Zenith Bank were clearly the funds that came from the impress account which is under the control of the office of the National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.”

    He said an opportunity was given to the first Defendant and his associate, Abiodun Agbele, to explain the source of the money deposited into the account of the 2nd Defendant but they could not give any convincing reason.

    Justice Chukujekwu Aneke adjourned till November 24 for continuation of trial.

    The defendants were arraigned on October 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    Following the judge’s retirement, Fayose and his firm were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke for alleged money laundering and non-declaration of his assets.

    In the amended charge, Fayose and Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences before another division of the court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion to fund Fayose’s 2014 governorship campaign in Ekiti State.

    They were accused of committing criminal breach of trust, theft and stealing of public funds.

    They were also alleged to have on the same June 17, 2014, without going through financial institutions, received $5 million from Obanikoro.

    The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened sections 15 (2)(d); 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended, and punishable under Section 15 (3) (4); 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.

    Fayose denied the allegations.

    He pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts.

  • AFDB, others vote additional $1b to fund SAPZS in 24 states

    AFDB, others vote additional $1b to fund SAPZS in 24 states

     It was yet another bountiful harvest for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in its investment drive, as the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),  have voted $1 billion to further deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 states of Nigeria.

    A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, explained that this initiative is in addition to an initial $520 million voted by the development partners for the development of eight special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria.

    President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is attending the event in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, had on Wednesday delivered his keynote address at the ongoing dialogue.

    Delivering his speech titled, “From Dakar to Des Moines,” Dr. Adesina noted that the decision to pump such huge funds into Nigeria’s agribusiness was part of the resolve to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 13 countries.

    Explaining that it was the core of the food and agriculture delivery compacts from the Dakar 2 Summit held earlier this year in Dakar, Senegal, the AfDB President said, “We are investing heavily in the development of  SAPZs to support the development of agricultural value chains, food processing and value addition, enabling infrastructure and logistics to promote local, regional, and international trade in food.

    “The African Development Bank Group is investing $853 million in the development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, and it has mobilized additional co-financing of $661 million, for a total commitment of $1.5 billion. We are deploying effective partnerships at scale. We are currently implementing 25 Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones in 13 countries.

    “For example, the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development provided $520 million for the development of 8 special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria. The second phase of the program aims to mobilize an additional $1 billion to deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 states of Nigeria”.

    Dr. Adesina regretted that while much progress had “been made in African agriculture, 283 million people still go to bed hungry in Africa, about a third of the 828 million people that suffer hunger globally.”

    He, however, described the  Norman Borlaug International Dialogue World Food Prize 2023, as a “journey and narrative  of how we are combining the power of science, technology,  policies, and politics to ensure that Africa fully unlocks its agricultural potential, and feeds itself, with pride.”

    The AfDB President thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, for participating in the global event, saying their presence is an indication “that Africa has the political will and is fully ready to tackle food insecurity and make hunger history” on the continent.

    Also speaking during the fire-side chat with the AfDB President, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Vice President Kashim Shettima who spoke on the Tinubu administration’s initiatives for food security said the quality of present leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa will drive transformation in agriculture and other sectors.

    According to him, “a nation falls or rises fundamentally due to the quality of its leadership. Right now Africa is blessed with quite a handful of quality leaders that have the drive, passion and skills set to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

    “Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my boss, is a good example, Macky Sall of Senegal and of course, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt are doing wonderfully well,  just to mention a few of the African leaders that are distinguishing themselves in leadership.

    “I want to assure this gathering of investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector that my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a quintessential 21st century modern African leader who is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

    “Be rest assured that there will be a sea change in the fortunes of the Nigerian nation and by extension the African continent in the next couple of years because Nigeria is an anchor nation,” the VP added.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    On wheat production, Sen. Shettima said “our target towards wheat production in Nigeria is to achieve 50% self-sufficiency in the next 3 cycles. It is inconceivable that we are the second largest wheat importer in the world.

    “Luckily, we have already procured the heat tolerant variety of wheat seeds and we are going to drive that process by supporting the farmers with the heat tolerant variety, agricultural extension services, fertilizer and also hope to increase the irrigation areas to 1 million hectares in the next cropping cycle.

    “We need to produce about 2.4 million tonnes of wheat grains in Nigeria. We are going to reach out to our farmers through small irrigation schemes and through digitalisation. All the actors in the value chain will be sufficiently taken care of through innovative finance, partial credit guarantees and crop insurance,” the VP emphasized.

    For rice production, the VP said the major challenge for Nigeria is the insufficiency of paddy rice. He noted that Nigeria has adequate milling capacity but “we need to produce 3 to 4 million tonnes of paddy rice to meet our requirement of about 2.5 million tonnes per annum. We have 75 million hectares of arable land and most of it suited for rice cultivation.”

    He added that “we will provide our farmers with certified seeds, fertilzer, extension services, the digitlization of services, inputs, finance and market information. Our target is to achieve self-sufficiency in rice latest by 2027.”

    The VP also spoke about the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), reiterating the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors in the zones.

    He said the government would create an SAPZ development authority that will operate like a one-stop shop where regulatory and associated issues will be addressed.

  • Senate urges FG to curb flooding in Lagos, Ogun

    Senate urges FG to curb flooding in Lagos, Ogun

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to convene stakeholders’ meeting to assess the recurring flooding incidence  in some communities in Lagos and Ogun states with a view to finding a lasting solution to flood disasters.

    The Senate’s resolution was sequel to a point of order moved by Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.

    The motion was titled:”Flood Disaster in Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu and several other communities in Lagos and Ogun.”

    The Red Chamber also commiserated with the victims of the flood disaster and commended the government of Lagos and Ogun for their handling of the crisis occasioned by the flood disaster.

    It also directed the relevant committees of the Senate to provide adequate funding for NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    Abiru in his lead debate said that a number of communities close to the coast lines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos and other communities in Ogun State had always experienced flooding whenever the Oyan River Dam was opened.

    “The recent release of water from the dam caused unimaginable havoc  to residents’ property and livelihoods, particularly on Tuesday, Oct.24.

    “The  residents of the areas have fled their homes and businesses, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities,” Abiru said.

    The lawmaker further said that there was an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as “those who were sacked by the flood were hanging around with family members and friends.”

    He, however, said that in response to the threatening humanitarian crisis,  the governors of Lagos and Ogun and the Minister of Water Resources have all intervened in their respective capacities.

  • Tinubu appoints  Olaopa, 11 others into Federal Civil Service Commission

    Tinubu appoints  Olaopa, 11 others into Federal Civil Service Commission

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed one-time Federal Permanent Secretary, Professor Tunji Olaopa, as the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), along with eleven other members.

    According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the appointment of the new FCSC Chairman and members is subject to Senate’s confirmation.

    The statement explained that the appointment was in exercise of President Tinubu’s powers as prescribed by the Constitutional provision, which instructs him to appoint chairmen and members for fourteen federal executive bodies.

    “As one of fourteen Federal Executive Bodies into which Section 154 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, Amended) empowers the President to appoint its Chairman and members, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following Nigerians to serve in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate,” it said.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    The other eleven newly appointed Commissioner include “Dr. Daudu Ibrahim Jalo – Member (Representing Adamawa | Gombe | Taraba); Ms. Gekpe Grace Isu – Member (Representing Akwa Ibom | Cross River); Dr. Chamberlain Nwele – Member (Representing Anambra | Ebonyi | Enugu); Mr. Rufus N. Godwins – Member (Representing Rivers | Delta | Bayelsa); and Dr. Adamu Hussein – Member (Representing Niger | FCT).

    “Mr. Aminu Nabegu – Member (Representing Jigawa | Kano); Ms. Hindatu Abdullahi – Member (Representing Kaduna | Katsina); Mr. Shehu Aliyu – Member (Representing Kebbi | Sokoto | Zamfara); Ms. Odekunle Rukiyat Aduke – Member (Representing Kogi | Kwara); Mr. Jide Jimoh – Member (Representing Lagos | Ogun) and Dr. Festus Oyebade – Member (Representing Osun | Oyo).

    “Upon confirmation, the new FCSC leadership is expected to commence work with effect from November 30, 2023, following the expiration of tenure of the current Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman and membership on November 29, 2023.

    “The President anticipates that the new FCSC leadership will competently facilitate the transformation, reorientation, and digitization of the Federal Bureaucracy to enable, and not stifle, growth and enhanced private sector participation in the development of the Nigerian economy, in full adherence to the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration,” the statement said.

  • Tinubu felicitates Justice Ayoola at 90

    Tinubu felicitates Justice Ayoola at 90

    President Bola Tinubu has celebrated renowned jurist and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola,  on his 90th birthday.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu described the foremost retired justice as a trailblazer and a fine example of integrity and honour in Nigeria’s judiciary.

    “Justice Ayoola is among the pace-setters of the Nigerian judiciary. He is renowned for his discipline, diligence, honour, and unwavering integrity.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    “He is one of those distinguished jurists whose hard work, brilliance, fortitude, and patriotism built and strengthened the Nigerian judiciary,” the President said.

    He wished the foremost justice many more years in good health.

    Justice Ayoola retired from the Supreme Court in 2003. He had served as the Chief Justice of the Gambia from 1983 to 1992 and was Vice President of the World Judges Association in 1991.

  • Bayelsa: Appeal Court reserves judgment in Sylva, APC’s appeals

    Bayelsa: Appeal Court reserves judgment in Sylva, APC’s appeals

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgments to a date to be communicated to parties in the appeals filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva and the party.

    The appeals are against the October 9 judgment given by Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja nullifying Sylva’s candidacy in the election scheduled for November 11.

    A three member panel of the court, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani announced the judgments were reserved in both appeals after lawyers to parties made their final submissions and adopted their written briefs.

    Lawyer to Sylva, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN) and counsel to the APC, K. O. Balogun, urged the court to allow the appeals and set aside the October 9 judgment and affirm Sylva’s candidacy.

    The judgment by Justice Okorowo was on the suit marked:FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023 filed on June 3 by a member of the APC,  Demesuoyefa Kolomo, who described himself as a registered voter.

    Balogun argued that it was wrong for the trial court to have entertained the suit by Kolomo because he lacked the locus to have approached the trial court.

    He faulted the decision of Justice Okorowo to the effect that Sylva took oath of office twice as governor of Bayelsa State.

    Balogun said: “In 2007 he (Sylva)  was elected the Governor of Bayelsa State, but within eight  months, the Court of Appeal (which was then the final court for governorship election petition) sacked him.

    “He contested again in 2008 and won. The eight months that he earlier spent in office   was nullified, so he could not have said to have spent that with months because it was voided by the court.

    “What he (Kolomo) is doing is fighting a proxy war. He cannot be a member of the APC and be fighting to destroy its candidate and chances at the election.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    “What the 1st respondent (Kolomo)  is asking this court to do is to deem the nullified eight  months as 4 years,” Balogun said.

    Members of the court’s panel also wondered why Kolomo, who claimed to be a member of the APC and described himself solely as a registered voter, but not an aspirant, who participated in the party’s primary, would want to destroy his party’s chance in an election instead of simply voting for another candidate in the election if he was not comfortable with his party’s candidate.

    Balogun later informed the court that his client filed a motion to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse its decision to remove Sylvia’s name from the list of candidates for the election.

    Justice Tsammani said since the court has chosen to hear the main appeals, it was unnecessary to hear any interlocutory motions.

    Lawyer to Kolomo, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanike (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the trial court.

    INEC’s lawyer, Ahmed Mohamed also prayed the court to dismiss both appeals.

  • Getting Igbo presidency is by negotiation – MASSOB Leader Uwazuruike

    Getting Igbo presidency is by negotiation – MASSOB Leader Uwazuruike

    • Says Peter Obi thinks it’s by motivational speech

    The leader and founder of Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB),  Chief Ralph Uwazuruike  has come down heavily on Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi saying he has failed to apply wisdom in his quest to become the president of Nigeria.

    Uwazuruike said yesterday  that Peter Obi thought that  to become the president of Nigeria was through motivational speeches and by making noise on social media.

    He said that the Labour Party candidate had forgotten how he became the governor of Anambra State to know that it could not have been by motivational speech.

    “You don’t become the president through social media. Was that how he became the governor for eight years?

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    They thought to become the president is by fight and war and making  noise on social media. I said no problem, let me see how you can be president of Nigeria. Even when he completed the election and Peter Obi was declared number three I remained silent because I knew he would go to court and I know it will get to the Supreme Court. Now that the Supreme Court had spoken, I want to ask him how far? Has he become the president? I know what I have told them that no Igboman will be president by force or fight. It must be by negotiation,” he said.

    He said further: “Peter Obi who I call Okute(Stone) knows it is not done that way and he has forgotten that without Ojukwu he couldn’t have become the governor of Anambra State. Without Peter, Willie Obiano would not have become the governor and without Obiano today Prof Soludo would not have become governor. It is simply African politics. So, it baffles me how Peter Obi just came out and wants to become the president and I said let me see how that can materialise.

     “That is not the way. If you ask Peter how he became the governor he will tell you it is court but it went beyond that. It is not true. It was a concession given to Ojukwu in 2003. Peter Obi did not know about it. He has limited knowledge, he believes the court gave him the verdict.

  • Obaseki’s ex-commissioners, PDP, LP chieftains defect to APC

    Obaseki’s ex-commissioners, PDP, LP chieftains defect to APC

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s two former Commissioners for Communication and Orientation, Efe Stewart and Andrew Emwanta, were among thousands of chieftains of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the opposition Labour Party (LP), who yesterday in Benin defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The carnival-like defection took place at Edo APC’s political conference, tagged: “Edo 2024: A Must Win for APC,” which was powered by Pius Alile Coalition Initiative (PACI).

    The defectors were received by a former National Chairman of APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by a former Deputy Governor of Edo state, Dr. Pius Odubu, while the conference was also attended by the National Women Leader of APC, Dr. Mary Alile; Edo Chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd.); and many other leaders of APC across Nigeria.

    Papers were presented at the conference by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Edoba Omoregie, and a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives (2007-2015), Dr. Samson Osagie.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    Oshiomhole, an ex-governor of Edo state, in his speech, declared that there was no categorisation of members of APC as old or new, while assuring that on September 21, 2024, the party (APC) would produce the successor of PDP’s Obaseki, and to be inaugurated on November 12 next year.

    The President/Founder of PACI, Pius Alile, a chieftain of APC, said: “The celebrated administration of Comrade Oshiomhole provided the party (APC) a benchmark to be proud of. Since the exit of Comrade Oshiomhole, with his ‘Red Roof Revolution,’ public school renovation and maintenance have been abandoned by the PDP government of Obaseki, which came up with the grand delusion of Edo Best in education. Sadly, Obaseki’s best is the worst that we have had in this state.

    “The roads in Edo State, particularly in Benin City, the state capital, are in very bad condition. It is disheartening to note that the ambitious Comrade Oshiomhole’s erosion control project for Benin City, named the Benin Storm Water Project, has been abandoned in the last seven years.

    “Obaseki has signed countless MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) with supposed investors, but there is nothing to show for it. Edo residents are presently under the yoke of broken promises from Obaseki and his PDP’s government. The people are in dire need of help. APC must come to their rescue by winning the governorship election and providing purposeful governance.

    “APC must get the governorship primary election right, while the leadership must be transparent in the interpretation of the laid-down procedures for the nomination, and then, implementing to the letter. The process must not be compromised to produce a candidate who lacks the capacity and the aura to inspire members of the party and the support of the electorate.”

    Alile also hailed Edo APC on the wave of defections blowing its way from the other political parties, which he described as heartwarming.

  • Host communities decry law making them liable for vandalism

    Host communities decry law making them liable for vandalism

    …say they are not in charge of security

    Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM) yesterday decried the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which holds them accountable for any vandalization of oil and gas installation within their domain.

    Section 2 (Subsection 72) of the Act, stipulates that the communities, where oil and gas assets are vandalised or compromised, be held responsible from the 3% they are entitled to.

    But addressing reporters in Abuja at the weekend, the HOSTCOM National President, Highness Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, described the law as obnoxious and unfair for holding the host communities that are not in charge of security accountable for the vandalism of the installations.

    He expressed the HOSTCOM reservations for the section of the law in a press conference tagged:” Re-Host communities kick as proposed PIA review ‘shrinks’ 3% allocation,” in Abuja.

    The National President noted that for the government to hold the communities responsible for the security of the installation, it has to give them the mandate of security over facilities.

    His words: “In section 2 (subsection 72). I see it as very obnoxious because if you ask me to secure this whatever happens I have to pay for it.”

    “Then if I am not securing it, another person is securing it and something is missing here, you don’t have to ask me to pay for it. If I pay that is an unfair law. The law is unfair.”

    “The security job has been sub-rented to other people. The Host Community does not know who and who is securing it.

    “If you want the host community to pay for it, then give the security job to host communities.”

    FLOW BALANCE ONLINE

    Tamaranebi revealed that the HostComply app was created by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

    According to him, the commission is also funding the HostComply that is to checkmate the activities of the settlers and Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) both their annual OPEX.

    He added that it is meant to expose their sharp practices and also everyone could find out what is due for each Development Trust and could calculate at his comfort in any given time without visiting the operators office.

    Read Also: Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections: IGP, CDS read riot act to troublemakers

    Asked who is funding the HostComply, the National President said, “It is created by NUPRC. The funding will be done by NUPRC. It is their own.

    These are the ones funding it not from the 3% we are talking about. Communities are not funding it. It is an app created by NUPRC to checkmate the settlers and host communities by 3%.”

    He noted that the host communities are committed to increased oil and gas production, stressing that higher production earns the communities more money.

    Debunking the media publication that  “Host communities kick as proposed PIA review ‘shrinks’ 3% allocation,” he said over the years, International Oil Companies  (I0Cs), and industry players have pumped millions of naira into the HOSTCOM unlike prior to the 2021 PIA.

    According to him, “We could not see any meaningful projects being initiated by these players and kept our communities in this sorry state we have today.”

    Continuing, the National President said, “It is not a hidden fact that our communities producing oil and gas in the country have been suffering devastation, deprivations and desecration of all sorts due to the activities of some critical stakeholders who short-change and create divide-and-rule systems to flourish.

    “The Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) was deliberately created to address the concerns of the host communities and stop the activities of the Shylocks and their collaborators.”

  • Fubara inaugurates five new commissioners in Rivers

    Fubara inaugurates five new commissioners in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated five new commissioners recently screened and confirmed by the state House of Assembly.

    Persons sworn-in by the governor at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday were Dr. Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Housing;  Austin Ben Chioma, Commissioner for Environment and Prince Isaac Umejuru, Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development.

    Others were Mr. Joseph Johnson, Commissioner for Information & Communication and Mr. Victor Kii, Commissioner for Agriculture.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi charged the commissioners to cultivate the culture of team work by mobilising workers in their ministries to ensure higher productivity.

    Read Also: Lagos APC congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

    Fubara said he was in need of competent people to deliver on his campaign promises and to create a greater Rivers.

    The governor said: “We have in our midst today very capable people, who are going to add value to our system. Some of you might have been nominated from your local government after deliberations but here, you are not representing your local governments, you are working for the State.

    “The task is to deliver for the State. Your loyalty is to the State because if you don’t do that, when you leave, whether you like it or not, the records will be there to show what you did while you served as a commissioner.

    “So, I charge you to leave your local issues and focus on promoting the interest of our State. That is the only way the theme that we all agreed on, consolidation and continuity, can be felt in our State.”

    Fubara advised them against acting as sole administrators in their ministries and encouraged them to embrace team work.