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Tag: Nyesom Ezenwo Wike

  • Evil forces will never triumph over Rivers State – Wike 

    Evil forces will never triumph over Rivers State – Wike 

    The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that evil forces will never triumph  over the state because the state is connected to God.
    Speaking  during the Deeper Life Christian Ministry November Crusade in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike  said that the prayers for Rivers State by the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry has been beneficial to the state.
    In a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Wike noted that since the beginning of the monthly crusades in September, the state has been enjoying greater peace.
    He said: “I commend our father, Pastor William Kumuyi for allowing  Rivers State to connect and reconnect to God who is the Chief Security Officer  of the world and the Chief Security officer of Nigeria and this state.
    “This connection to God has been very beneficial to Rivers State. We appreciate God for this gift of peace  and we pray that it will continue to flourish.
    “He said  that the people of  Rivers State will continue to work with for the development of the state.
    The governor prayed God to continue to grant the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry the sound health to serve humanity.
    In his sermon, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi said that Rivers State will remain connected with God.
    He noted that the state will enjoy greater  peace because God is diligently working on the state.
    Sevetal thousands of Christian faithful and officials of the Rivers State Government attended the November Crusade of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry.
  • Wike berates Police for being partisan

    Wike berates Police for being partisan

    • Calls on NBA to serve as the conscience of the nation

    The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has berated the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for being partisan and taking sides in an internal party squabble by deciding to execute an interim injunction on the PDP National Convention when there was a judgment directing the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to provide security for the August 17, PDP National Convention.

    The Governor made this known at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference on Sunday Night, observing that there was no reason for the police to have resolved to execute the interim order of Justice Okon Abang in a suit where it was not a party, neither was it served with the order delivered late in the evening of Tuesday, 16th August, 2016.

    He described the action of the police as scandalous and undemocratic, saying that there is no explanation for what they did to the PDP because they were allegedly obeying orders from above.

    In a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, the governor said:  “The Honorable Justice Okon Abang sat until about 1700 hours, took a short break, and delivered his controversial judgment at about 1800 hours. At which time the Convention venue had already been sealed by a large contingent of security personnel personally led by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) and the State Director of the Department of State Security (SDDSS).  The question is: when was the enrolled order prepared, vetted, signed, served and or transmitted to the Police in Port Harcourt for enforcement in a matter in which they were never sued or joined as parties?

    “And because a PDP convention must be prevented from holding, the lives and property of Rivers people became inconsequential in the reckoning of the CP and the SDDSS.

    “That was why in their desperation to enforce an insidious “order from above” they threw caution to the wind, and against every sense of rationality, mobilized the entire fleet of Armored Personnel Carriers and other operational vehicles from other parts of the State to the Port Harcourt Civic Centre just to prevent a harmless party meeting from holding, and in the process left an entire State literally exposed and vulnerable to the mercy of criminals. For us, there is nothing surprising about the treacherous actions of the CP, the SDDSS and their collaborators.”

    Governor Wike said that as far as Rivers State is concerned, the Federal authorities only consider partisan interests when issues of security are on the table. He said that as such, Federal Security Agencies regularly transfer senior security officers with partisan consideration in mind.

    According to Governor Wike, “in Rivers State, politics and partisan considerations now determine the posting of senior security officers to the State. In particular, having signed-in onto the unholy conspiracy to undermine our administration, the Security High Command in Abuja prefers to make deployments that are intended to shore up the political fortunes of a degraded political opposition at the expense of providing effective security cover to the State and its people.”

  • Rivers demolish cultists’ hideouts

    Rivers demolish cultists’ hideouts

    • To build police stations, barracks on lands recovered from the cultists

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed the immediate demolition of property acquired through the crimes in line with the state anti-kidnapping and cultism law.

    The Governor reiterated his offer of amnesty to cultists and kidnappers who submit their arms to the state security agencies and commit themselves to honest living.

    Speaking in a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, the Governor in a company of soldiers and policemen supervised the demolition of the home and hide out of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area notorious suspected cultist and kidnapper, Munachim Ihunwo in Rumuolumini community.

    The governor stated that his administration has zero tolerance for cultism and kidnapping. He said any suspect arrested will face the full weight of the law.

    He informed that the arrested suspect and his boys have terrorised Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, creating insecurity in the commercial zone of the state.

    He said: “The Rivers State Government has taken over the criminal hideout of these arrested cultists. After the ongoing demolition of their hideout, we will build a police station and mini barrack in this location. We have also taken over the home of the kingpin that we have also demolished.

    Wike demolishes“This is to let members of the public know that this administration is serious. We will not allow anyone to cause insecurity in this state. We will chase criminals to their hideout and recover crime.”

    Speaking further, Wike said: “Let them submit their arms and we will give them amnesty.”

    The governor declared that the state government will continue to demolish the homes and hideouts of confirmed cultists and kidnappers to serve as a deterrent to would-be cultists and kidnappers.

    He commended the combined team of soldiers and policemen for effectively fighting criminals in the state, while Wike appealed to the people of the state to continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing relevant information that will lead to the arrest of hardened criminals.

    Briefing Governor Wike on the operation that led the operation that led to the capture of the suspected notorious cult kingpin, Lieutenant Colonel AC Unaogu informed that Munachim Ihunwo runs a camp with 200 armed criminals. He noted that the security agencies are working round the clock to locate the camp.

    The Lieutenant Colonel said that the cult kingpin and his boys were captured in their hideouts, which has a shrine with human skulls. It was learnt that the demolished home of the cult kingpin also has a tunnel and shrine with human skulls.

    Wike directed the Special Adviser on Lands, Anugbum Onuoha to initiate the process for the government to acquire the lands hitherto owned by the suspected cultists.

  • Children’s Day: Wike assures children of ‘brighter’ future

    Children’s Day: Wike assures children of ‘brighter’ future

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has  assured children in the state that his administration  would  continue  to  make investments in education  and  social services  with the aim of giving  them a bright future.

    In a message to mark this year’s Children’s Day, Governor Wike said  his administration  remains committed to the provision  of  a secure environment  for children  to develop  under an atmosphere  of  love, peace and hope across  the  state.

    He noted that in line with his commitment  to  quality  education  for the children  and  youths, his administration  has commenced  the phased rehabilitation  of  prominent  secondary  schools  in  all the  three senatorial  districts  of  the  state  with a view to introducing boarding  school system  of education.

    The governor added that  his administration  flagged off the construction  of  the  Port Harcourt Pleasure Park to create a facility  for recreation  for Rivers children and the entire family,  the first of its kind in the history  of  the state.

    He called on  children in the state to look forward to  a brighter  future  as his administration  is committed to their welfare,  security  and right upbringing.

    While wishing the children  a happy Children’s  Day,  the governor  assured them of his love and friendship at all times.

     

  • Wike dissolves Local Govt Caretaker Committees

    Wike dissolves Local Govt Caretaker Committees

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has dissolved all the  23 Local Government  Caretaker Committees with immediate effect.

    A statement  issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media,  directed the Caretaker Committee Chairmen  to hand over to their respective Heads of Personnel Management, HPM.

    The governor  also directed  the  HPMs   to immediately  compile list of staff being owed  salaries. He directed that the  list,  including  the number of  months owed to  the  workers  by the  respective councils   be  submitted  to  the  office  of  the  Governor  with immediate  effect.

     

  • Wike to implement New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint  

    Wike to implement New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint  

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state government will diligently  implement  the  New Rivers Vision  Development  Blueprint  to ensure  that  the people  of  the  state  feel the impact of  good  governance.

    Addressing the  closing  session  of the two-day  retreat  for top government  officials  at Onne Multi-Purpose Centre on Friday,  Governor  Wike  said  that  government  functionaries  have been  equipped  with  the  relevant  strategies  to contribute  meaningfully  to governance.

    He noted that having surmounted  the  initial  challenges  posed by the failures of  the  immediate  past  administration, his administration  has already started the implementation  of  projects and programmes  aimed at empowering  the people.

    He said: “This retreat has been helpful to top government officials.  In six months,  we shall return  to  evaluate  the  progress made as a result  of  renewed knowledge  based implementation  of  programmes.

    “This administration is centred on the pursuit of the best for the people of Rivers State.  All programmes and projects are targeted at improving the living condition of the people.”

    He directed public  officials  in the state  to be transparent in their use of  resources  as they will be  held to account  at the  appropriate  time.

    Former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi in his paper titled: “Understanding the imperatives of Cooperative Relationship in Public Service “urged public officials to always avoid friction in their interaction if they want the state to grow.

    He noted that building areas of cooperation between Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and other political appointees creates room for faster implementation of programmes  and policies.

    A Former Federal Permanent Secretary, Ambassador John Gana urged public servants to work within approved code of conduct to ensure productive governance.

     

  • Enough is enough, Wike tells Amaechi

    Enough is enough, Wike tells Amaechi

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has warned the Minister of Transportation and former Governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi to stop distracting his administration and face his job with the Federal Government.

    Wike gave the warning Thursday while declaring open a two-day retreat for his key officials tagged, “strengthening capacity, efficiency and service delivery for sustainable development” held in the state.

    Wike urged Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC), to accept their defeat in the March 19, Legislative rerun elections in the state and allow the state government focus on the rebuilding of the state.

    He said his administration is currently faced with the responsibility of reviving the state which according to him was wrongly managed by the past administrations of the state.

    According to him, his administration has deployed resources  and  expertise to correct the failures and appealed to Amaechi  to allow him face his(Wike), his job of developing the state.

    “I call on the former Governor and leader of the APC in the State to accept the reality that the re-run elections has woefully been lost by his party and that Rivers people have, again, overwhelmingly re-affirm their confidence, trust and preference for the PDP.

    “Therefore, spare us the agony of unnecessary hostility and allow Rivers State to move forward in peace and security. We expect you to use your high office and connections to attract meaningful development projects to the State as I did during my time; not senseless and unpatriotic distractions. Enough is enough.

    “All of us are aware of the sorry state of things in Rivers State before May 29 2015. Between October 25 2007 and May 28 2015 over three trillion naira accrued from all revenue sources to the State. Yet, they did nothing tangible with that money to develop the State. Instead, they squandered and diverted most of this money into private pockets through bogus and ill-fated projects. ”

    The governor alleged that all key projects initiated by the Amaechi administration were either abandoned or not executed at all.

    Wike stated that despite inheriting a badly governed state, his administration has begun the process of developing the state by initiating critical projects and programmes that have revived the economy of the state to the benefit of the people.

     

  • Rivers State to attract private investors – Wike

    Rivers State to attract private investors – Wike

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday  declared  that  the  state will continue  to  attract private investors  who know the true situation.
    Commissioning the Intercontinental Diagnostics Centre in Port Harcourt  built by Dr Tombari Gbeneol,  a prominent  medical  investor, Governor  Wike  said  that investors have confidence  in his administration’s security  measures  which are yielding  positive  fruits.
    He said  that  the State Government  is working  with  security  agencies  to tackle cult wars and kidnapping  in some communities  of the  state.
    “This state is safe for investment. Several investors are coming to the state because  they have  confidence  in  our security  situation.
    “We are happy  that Dr Tombari Gbeneol is investing in  the  state . It shows he has confidence in the prevailing  security  in the state.  The International  Diagnostics Centre will help in reducing  the  number  of  persons  who  will  seek medical help abroad,” he said.
    He said  that  the state government  will continue  to  promote  investment  opportunities  as employment  for the  state
    The governor  particularly  assured Dr Gbeneol of the support  of  the  state  government.
    In his remarks, Gbeneol said the investment  was aimed at developing  quality  medical  facility  for  the region.
    He said with the  existence  of  the  diagnostic centre,  there is no need for  people  to  travel abroad  for medical reasons

  • Rerun: Wike swears in Judicial Commission of Inquiry

    Rivers  State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday  swore in  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence / killings that negatively affected  the March 19 rerun  legislative elections,  with  a charge to the commission  to get to the root of the matter.

     

    The governor  also  on Wednesday  swore in Mr  Ugbana Isaruk  as a Commissioner  in the  Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.  Mr Isaruk replaces a late member  of  the  commission.

     

    Swearing in the members of  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the  chairmanship of  Justice  Monima Wenike Danagogo, Governor  Wike  decried  the  violence witnessed during  the  rerun elections,  saying  that  it  was necessary  to  ascertain the  root causes with a view to checking  a recurrence in the  future.

     

    He charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to  identify  those involved  in the killings,  those killed  and the scope of violence  during  the  elections.

     

     

    The  governor  also  charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify  property  damaged in the course of the violence  and the owners of such  property.

     

     

    He urged the Chairman  of  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry to use his experience  to guide other members  towards making necessary recommendations  that will enhance  political  stability  and  peace in the  state.

     

    He said : “The commission  has one month beginning  today  to submit  its report.  We must know those involved  in the violence  and killings.

     

    “We must get to the root of the violence  and  killings  during  the  March 19 rerun elections.  Since we were not at the location  of  the  violence,  we rely on the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry to  investigate what took place,” Wike concluded.

  • Wike, Mimiko, others bid late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    Wike, Mimiko, others bid late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was among eminent personalities that attended the wake-keep of late Mother-General Margaret Umahi, mother of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi at Agu-Ugwu, Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Other dignitaries at the programme which took place on Thursday 31 March, 2016 include the Governors of Bayelsa, Henry Seriake Dickson, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, Ondo, Olusegun Mimiko and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

    Speaking at the programme, The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi noted that his mother lived a good life while, describing her as a mediator between God and man.

    He lauded his fellow governors and political associates for their sacrifices, love and honor shown him, his family and the people of Ebonyi State by attending the burial programme of his mother to commiserate with them.

    He expressed happiness over the love that exists between the present crop of governors which he noted is beyond party affiliation.

    Governor Umahi particularly thanked the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for accommodating good number of Ebonyi indigenes who lived and do business in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of the Governors at the occasion, Governor Henry Sariake Dickson of Bayelsa State said they were in the state to solidarize with their colleague and the people of Ebonyi state on the death of their mother as well as honor her for a life well lived.

    He noted that the worthy legacies of late Margaret Umahi will always be remembered and assured members of the Umahi’s family of their support.

    Governor Sariake Dickson prayed God to grant members of the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and for the soul of the deceased to rest in peace.