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Tag: Emma Okah

  • ‘Wike never offered AAC’s guber candidate N3b to drop ambition’

    The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, on Tuesday, stated that Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) never offered the governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara, N3 billion or any sum to drop his governorship ambition.

    Okah, who doubles as the Director of Information and Communications of PDP Campaign Council in Rivers, alleged that AAC’s standard-bearer had mastered the art of telling lies, since the All Progressives Congress (APC) adopted his party in the state.

    The 40-year-old Awara, an engineer, who hails from Kula-Kalabari in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers, while addressing reporters in Abuja, disclosed that he earlier turned down N3 billion that Wike offered him “some days ago,” through the governor’s associates, but he maintained that his running mate, Akpo Yeeh, 67, an Ogoni, resigned on Monday and defected to PDP, after he collected Wike’s N200 million bribe.

    Rivers information commissioner said: “The allegation is childish and ridiculous. Does he know the weight of N3 billion? Where will the governor get such money to give anybody as bribe to win an election that he has already won? What did Awara do or will do that will make the governor offer him such money? Is it for the lies he tells or the election he contested and failed? Even though lying is part of the APC, Awara is running faster than his masters in learning the art of falsehood.

    “Awara stands before history to elect between darkness and light and whichever course he chooses will have political implication for the rest of his life. Awara is advised to toe the line of honour mapped by his deputy, Elder Akpo Bomba Yeeh, and free himself from the yoke of standing before history to answer questions which his inordinate ambition has inflicted on the state.

    Read also: Ignore vituperations of defecting Yeeh in Rivers – Tonye Cole

    “How will Awara explain to God and men of goodwill that he does not care about those that died during the governorship and House of Assembly elections; robbing Rivers people their right to choose the governor they like and indeed, the huge economic toll the state has to bear as a result of his recklessness in wanting to serve the wrong master at the wrong time and at all costs?”

    Okah also assured AAC’s governorship candidate that unless he responds in full to the weighty issues raised during Monday’s news conference by his defecting running mate, a huge burden would contiue to hover over his (Awara’s) head.

  • Gov. Wike chairs task force on illegal road trading

    The Rivers State Executive Council has set up a Special Task Force chaired by the State Governor Nyesom Wike to clear illegal traders from major roads and streets  in Port Harcourt and its environs.

    In a press statement issued today after the State Exco meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications Mr Emma Okah said the decision to set up a high powered task force and chaired by the Governor   is to demonstrate the irreversible determination of Govt to rid major roads in the State of the environmental hazards and sanitary embarrassment and nuisance which the activities of illegal traders are inflicting on the State and her people.

    The Government notes with sadness the recalcitrance of these street traders who have continuously dared the efforts of government to keep our roads and environment clean. Sadly, they mess up the environment, litter the roads, cause disorder and contribute nothing by way of tax or otherwise to clean their mess.

    “As a government, we owe a duty to those we serve to protect the environment, enhance sanitation and promote order in our state, Okah said, noting that illegal traders in our major roads are on the wrong side of the law and will face the right music.

    Consequently, from Thursday 12th April, 2018 the Governor of Rivers State will lead members of the Special Task Force,  in the first phase of their mandate, to flush illegal traders from the roads and affected streets and restore nomalcy. The exercise will be a continuing one until the ugly situation is reversed.

    However, it is necessary to warn that in the course of this exercise, traders caught by the special task force may lose their goods, suffer arrest, face prosecution and possible jail term upon conviction.  If this happens the consequences may be unpleasant and unattractive for anyone to test the will of the special task force.

    Major roads and spots to be cleared by the task force in the first phase of this exercise include Bishop Okoye Street in Diobu, Garrison, Nitel near Garrison, GRA 2 junction,  other parts of GRA Phase 2 where illegal tradings are going on, Old GRA, Ikwerre Road, Wimpey Junction, Trans Amadi, etc.

  • Rivers approves revolving loan for civil servants

    The Rivers Government has approved a special revolving loan scheme for civil servants in the state without collateral

    The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Emma Okah, made this known to newsmen on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that the loan would be interest-free.

    The commissioner said it would be provided to civil servants who were in need of financial assistance.

    Okah said that civil servants were not expected to provide any collateral before accessing the loan.

    He also said that the State Executive Council had declared a state of emergency on trading on major roads.

    Read Also: Over 32,000 unclaimed driver’s license in Rivers says FRSC

    The commissioner said that street trading had negatively affected the environmental sanitation of Port Harcourt.

    Okah said that street traders had been given an ultimatum of seven days to quit the roads, adding that failure to comply would lead to enforcement by the government.

    He announced the inauguration of a National Festival Committee to organise the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2018) scheduled to take place in the state later in the year.

    The commissioner said that the State Executive Council had also approved the inauguration of a Water Board Committee.

    NAN

  • 2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    The Rivers state Government (RSG),  yesterday accused the All Progressives congress ( APC ), led Federal Government (FG),  of concluded plan to grant amnesty and pardon to the 32 cultisted who were declared wanted by the state security council last week. 
    The State commissioner for Information,  Emma Okah,  a Lawyer made the allegation a news statement in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday. 
    Okah quoted security intelligent report at their disposal as saying that the essence of the amnesty was to woo the people into the APC party with the view of using them to format trouble at 2019 general elections. 
    Okah said, “The Rivers state government had earlier accuses All Progressives Congress ( APC ), in the state of has approached the 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the state security command for the purpose of ensuring their membership and in return grant them protection and liberty. 
    “The Rivers state government today in receipt of credible intelligence to the effect that the the Federal Government has concludes plans to grant amnesty to these 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the security in council of Rivers state. 
    “Details of this intelligence which we gathered indicates that the Fedetal Giveenmentbis granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.”
    He accused the FG of continuous efforts to undermining the efforts of the state government in exterminating violent crimes in the state but maintained that the plots would not deter the government in restoring peace into the state. 
     “In our view,  this action is not a surprise to us,  because we have repeatedly said it that some of these excesses of the Federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crime and criminality in our state.” he said. 
    “In particular, We have accused the Federal Special Anti robbery squad (F-SARS),  of not just being involved directly in perpetrating violent crimes in Rivers state but also are aiding and abating such crimes in the state.
    “The activities of SARS in this regard have not ceased. This share development coming at the time they stated is winning the war against culrism and kidnapping therefore become a major set back and a ploy to undermine security in Rivers state, and bring to not,  the enormous financial resources we have committed to the issue of security in the State. 
    “Sadly, each time we recorded success in the promotion of security in the state,  the Federal Government and her agent take deliberate steps to sabortage the security of the state at the instigation of some unpatriotic sons of Rivers state who are serving at the centre.” 
    He called on various bodies and groups to save the soul of the state from the antics of APC, insisting that the 32 persons will not be delayed from the crimson list until they have answered to their crimes. 
    “We therefore call on the international community,  civil society organizations and well meaning Nigerians to ….act to compromise the security of Rivers state for ungodly political gain by the APC -led Federal Government. 
    “For the avoidance of doubt,  the Rivers state government will continue to work closely with the security agencies in the state”
    In the swift reactions,  the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone said, “The simple truth is that since federal security forces killed Don Waney, Gov. Wike’s personal security architecture has suffered irredeemable damage. 
    “He is making very desperate attempts at changing the well known narrative that Don Waney and the PDP worked for the other. Those of you in the media know better. Gov. Wike and his officials are making desperate attempts at misleading ongoing investigations concerning those who sponsored, funded and protected Don Waney all these years. 
    “They know those the investigations will lead to, hence the desperate attempt to divert attention, but it is too late. Calling APC or the Federal Government simply confirms that the Rivers State governor and his men are at their wit’s end. 
    “We have said it over and over that Gov. Nyesom Wike cares little about giving good governance to the people of Rivers State and that is why he is perpetually in election mode. 
    “Instead of condemning Governor Wike, we empathise with him, because we believe that he needs help desperately. Gov. Wike is a victim of a flawed political leadership recruitment system, but unfortunately, Rivers people are the losers for it. It is sad.”he concluded. 
  • Wike’s love, interest to develop sports is unparalleled – Commissioner

    Wike’s love, interest to develop sports is unparalleled – Commissioner

    Boma Iyaye, Rivers Commissioner for Sports, said on Monday that Governor Nyesom Wike’s love and interest to develop sports in the state was unparalleled.

    Iyaye made the assertion at  a one day retreat on “Understanding The New Laws of Wrestling and Gov. Nyesom Wike’s Sports Development Programme” in Port Harcourt.

    He said that Wike’s love for sports was not limited to only human capital development but had  carefully touched other aspects of important infrastructure.

    “In 2016, the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre built over 30 years ago, was given a major face-lift and renovated to meet international standard; and it  is the venue of the African Wrestling Championship.

    “Recently, the government has concluded the  process of establishing a football academy in the state in partnership with Real Madrid Football Club of Spain,” he said.

    According to Iyaye, Wike on assumption of office, paid all outstanding contract fees and allowances and allowances owed to sports men and women who represented the state in 2012 National Sports Festiva.l

    Read also: How Sports Minister Dalung spurred Eagles to victory

    “Gov. Wike graciously paid all outstanding benefits to the teams, including the 2014/2015 sign-on fees which were just paid a few days ago by this administration, and there is consistent funding of the teams.

    “Only last year 2017, Rivers United participated in the most prestigious competition in Africa being the most glamorous CAF Champions League.

    “Still in 2017, Gov. Wike accepted to host the National Wrestling Championship tagged Governor Wike National Wrestling Championship; and also the African Wrestling Championship in February 2018 for Cadet, Junior and Senior Categories,” Iyaye said.

    He said that the all the sports events were coming at huge cost to the state but the governor`s love and interest to develop sports in the state was unmatched.

    The Rivers Commissioner said the singular fact that sports as a major employer of labour and also a panacea for curbing youth restiveness and criminality in society.

    “To ensure that this statement is fully achieved, only a few days ago, the government budgeted over N2.5b for sports development in the state for 2018.

    Emma Okah, Rivers Commissioner for Information and Chairman Media/Publicity Sub-Committee of the African Wrestling Championship (Port Harcourt 2018), thanked the  editors for the tremendous coverage of the Governor Wike National Wrestling Championship.

    Okah stated that the huge coverage of the event contributed in putting Rivers in positive light.

    He said that wrestling was dynamic like other sports, so news rules were designed to meet emerging reality or changing circumstances of the game.

    “I believe that the interactions today will be beneficial to you all in developing wrestling in the Nigeria,” he said.

    The one day retreat was organised by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the African Wrestling Championship, Port Harcourt 2018 for sports editors and reporters in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • APC accuses commissioner of propaganda

    APC accuses commissioner of propaganda

    •’Govt has uncovered plot by opposition party, police to kill students’

    Rivers State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Information and Communications Commissioner  Emma Okah of infantile propaganda.

    Okah fired the first salvo in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt when he alleged that Rivers State government uncovered a plot by APC and the police to kill protesting students.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, described Okah’s   allegations as infantile, a no-brainer and pedestrian propaganda unbefitting of a  government.

    The party said: “It is a lame attempt to blackmail  students, who have been owed bursaries since Governor Nyesom Wike came into office. Instead of doing the right thing to avert students embarking on protest over their endless neglect by the Wike government, Okah appears to have resorted to base tactics to blackmail students, police and  APC.

    “The news for Okah is that his attempt is dead on arrival. Wike must abandon his hatred and disdain for students and education and do the right thing. No amount of spin by his information and communications commissioner will fool the students and Rivers people.

    “It is unfortunate that the first outing on the perfidious road of propaganda by the  commissioner is an unmitigated disaster and a disgrace. Actually, it appears everything in Rivers State is continuing on a free fall.

    “It is possible Okah decided to start from where he once stopped as information commissioner years ago (when Sir Celestine Omehia was governor between May and October, 2007), but he desperately needs to upgrade in all ramifications, if he hopes to shore up Wike’s fledgling image in the public eye of Nigerians.”

    APC said everything in Rivers was on a steady decline, including  management of information and communications for the government.

    It said reading the latest  statement by Okah, his predecessor, Dr. Austin Tam-George, would be grinning from ear to ear, following  how bad things had gone since he abandoned Wike.

    The opposition party said  what the commissioner exhibited was nothing more than pitiable infantilism in propaganda.

    Okah said: “Rivers State government has uncovered plot by APC and evil-minded police officers to instigate students to embark on protest against non-payment of bursary. In the process, a few will be shot by the police to give the government a bad name and label the state as unsafe.

    “This plot is part of the orchestrated plan by the opposition and police officers to continue to create crisis in the state, create fear in the minds of the people, discourage inflow of investments and give the impression that the governor is not competent.”

    The commissioner warned the students to stay away from any planned protest, saying the government would not be held responsible if any harm befell them in the course of any such enterprise.

    He said: “While we recognise the right of any citizen to assemble and carry out peaceful protests within the law, the present planned protest by the students is politically-motivated and laced with huge danger, as nobody knows who may be killed in the process.

    “The protest is premature. There are unexplored avenues for students’ grievances to be addressed and resolved.”

    Okah said students who defied the warning would be doing so at their own risk, adding that the government will have no hand in inviting policemen to quell the protest or in killing any of them.