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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • PDP convention will be hitch-free – Wike

    PDP convention will be hitch-free – Wike

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) leadership will not accept anything likely to disrupt its Saturday’s National Convention.

    Wike gave the assurance when he received a national chairmanship aspirant of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

    Wike said that whatever anybody might be saying, the convention would be fair and hitch-free.

    The governor pledged to support the party to provide a level playing ground at the convention.

    “If you believe and love this party, there is nothing you cannot do, everybody can make sacrifice for this party except you don’t believe in this party.

    “What I am saying is that whoever emerges we should come out as members of the same party to support him.”

    Wike also condemned a statement credited to a former state governor in which stakeholders of PDP in the north micro zoned the party chairmanship position to the South West.

    He described the statement as a slap on the South South, saying it was wrong for anybody not from the region to do micro-zoning against the decision of the party.

    “The chairmanship was zoned to the south and presidency to the north. You cannot in your own place micro zone our own position.

    “We cannot seat here and micro zone the presidency. It is not possible. It is what they tell us to do that we will do.

    “PDP is not in power, it is in opposition. We need a Chairman that will drive the party to make PDP to win election,” Wike said.

    He commended the peaceful campaigns by Dokpesi and his campaigning round the country to seek delegates’ support.

    “What you are doing has popularised the party. This is the first time when PDP Chairman is being elected and the aspirants are going from one state to the other.

    “The main fact that you are doing that is a mobilisation for the party.”

    Earlier, Dokpesi said he was in the state to solicit for the blessing and support of the governor and the state delegates on his ambition.

    He said as an opposition party, it was important for the PDP to allow its best materials to emerge as Chairman and presidential candidates.

    Dokpesi commended the roles and support of Gov. Wike and government of Rivers towards the development of PDP and success of its forthcoming convention.

    Meeting with PDP Rivers State Executive members and delegates at the party secretariat, Dokpesi said though there were eight aspirants vying for the chairmanship, including Prince Uche Secondus, his own personality had more capacity to re-brand PDP.

    The Chairman of PDP Rivers, Felix Obuah, also condemned the statement on micro zoning of chairmanship position to the South West.

    Obuah said that the state chapter of the party would continue to support anything that would help it to regain the mandate in 2019.

    NAN

  • Governors urge FG to increase allocation to states

    Governors urge FG to increase allocation to states

    The South-East and South-South Governors’ Forum on Monday called on the Federal Government to increase allocation to the states from the Federation Account.

    The governors made the call in a communiqué at the end of the forum’s meeting in Uyo.

    In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, the forum expressed concern that in spite of increase in oil price and production level, revenue accruing to states had not reflected such realities.

    “The forum therefore urges the Federal Government to ensure improved revenue allocation to the states to reflect the current realities to enable the states meet the yearnings and expectations of their people.

    “The forum also proposed that the Federal Government should relinquish all federal roads to states, where such roads are located, facilitate legislation that would ease concession of the roads,” the communiqué said.

    The governors appealed to the Federal Government to intervene urgently to improve the current state of some critical infrastructure located in the South-South and South-East.

    According to the communiqué, the forum mentioned some of the infrastructural facilities to include airports in Calabar, Enugu, Imo and Port Harcourt as well as roads located in the zones.

    The forum expressed concern over alleged shoddy approach to infrastructural development by some intervention agencies of the Federal Government operating in the regions.

    It, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to direct the agencies to liaise with state governments in the identification and execution of projects.

    It expressed belief that the approach would ensure that projects carried out by intervention agencies were in synergy with the developmental agenda of the states.

    The meeting was attended by Udom Emmanuel, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

    Others were Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ivara Esu and Dr Nkem Okeke, both Deputy Governors of Cross River and Anambra.

    NAN

  • Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

    The maiden edition of Gov. Nyesom Wike National Wrestling Championships started on Sunday with 22 states participating.

    The states are Jigawa, Kano, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Niger, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Ogun, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi.

    Other participants includes the Nigeria Army, Mountain of Fire Ministries Wresting club and the Federal Capital Territory.

    All the participants at the Wike National Wrestling Championships converged on the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt the venue of the five-day competition.

    Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), told our correspondent that exciting dimension would be introduced in this tournament.

    “Every weight category event in a day will end at the quarter finals so that the remaining semi and final matches will be done the next day.

    “We are no longer finishing all weight categories in a day. I get a lot of questions from people on how all is been done in a day.

    “The essence of this is to make it more interesting and allow spectators to enjoy the games very well,” he said.

    The 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist, however, urged wrestling enthusiasts not to miss this one of a kind competition.

    “This competition is entirely different from what we used to have and it’s unique,” said Igali.

    The wranglers at the venue wore determined faces and ready to fight for spaces in the national team ahead of next years African Championships.

    NAN

  • Rivers commences construction of hostels, quarters at NYSC camp

    Rivers commences construction of hostels, quarters at NYSC camp

    The Rivers Government has commenced the construction of new facilities for the welfare of corps members and officials at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area.

    Mr Sunday Aroni, Rivers Coordinator of NYSC, disclosed this on Thursday during the swearing-in-ceremony of the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream corps members at the orientation camp.

    Aroni said the facilities included four blocks of hostel for corps members and three units of four-bedroom apartments for camp officials, a new kitchen and a multipurpose hall being expanded.

    ‘‘All these are meant to improve on the welfare of corps members and camp officials on camp, and interestingly, these projects which started two weeks ago, are already at advanced stages,’’ he said.

    The coordinator commended Gov. Nyesom Wike and the state government for the kindness and generosity to the scheme.

    He also congratulated the governor on his award of ‘‘Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution’’ in New York, U.S.

    Aroni said that a total of 2,502 corps members had been registered and ready to be sworn-in for national service in the state.

    NAN

    Read Also: NYSC sanctions 15 corps members in Nasarawa

  • Wike pledges support for African beauty queens

    Wike pledges support for African beauty queens

    The Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, has said that his administration will always support the African Beauty Queen Pageant.

    The governor made the pledge when he received 54  contestants of Miss University Africa Pageant in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said the presence of the contestants in Rivers was a positive testimony and endorsement for the state as a peaceful and tourist haven.

    Wike urged the 54 contestants to serve as ambassadors of the state and promote it as a centre of peace, development, unity and sustained growth.

    “We must express our gratitude to you for coming to Rivers State.

    “As you return to your respective countries, we urge you to serve as ambassadors of Rivers State, tell people about the beauty and peace of Rivers State, tell them that the negative propaganda is politically motivated, ” the governor said.

    The governor reiterated the resolve of his administration to support the beauty queens in their venture, adding that he was satisfied with the blend of charity work the pageant executed.

    “Move around and enjoy the beauty of Rivers State, make sure that you anchor at Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, this is a tourism state, with a hospitable population, after now, you will desire to return to Rivers State,” he said.

    In his remarks, Taylor Nazal, the Managing Director of Visions, Innovations and Concepts, organisers of the pageant, thanked the governor for accepting to host the contestants from 54 African countries.

    The managing director said contrary to negative media reports against the state, the contestants and organisers had found Rivers a peaceful place.

    “Since we came to Rivers State, we have witnessed an atmosphere of peace, this event would put Rivers State on the global stage,” he added.

    “This is a non-Bikini event aimed at discouraging indecent dressing, that is why we have both Muslim and Christian countries participating in this beauty pageant,”  Nazal said.

    He said the contestants would engage in charity works,  including visits to hospitals, the old people’s homes and orphanages, in Port Harcourt.

    “They call you Mr Projects and we have seen several projects across the state, this is a project that is empowering women in the continent,” he said.

    In her response, Miss University Africa ( Nigeria ), Miss Opara Ibinabo, a student of University of Port Harcourt, thanked Wike for making provision to accommodate the contestants from 54 African countries to converge on Rivers.

    As a show of respect, each beauty queen presented gifts to the governor, who later took them round to see some completed projects within the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    NAN

  • Ogoni clean-up: Rivers lawmaker calls for patience with FG

    Ogoni clean-up: Rivers lawmaker calls for patience with FG

    Mr Josiah Olu, an APC lawmaker representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers Assembly has enjoined pressure groups agitating against the delayed Ogoni clean-up to be patient with the Federal Government.

    Olu made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that the Ogoni clean-up required extensive planning, scientific analysis, community involvement, and genuine partnership to achieve needed goal.

    Olu urged the people of Ogoni to exercise patience as the federal government strive towards implementing the United Nations Environmental Programme ( UNEP ) report on Ogoniland in accordance with its framework.

    According to him, the framework for the Ogoni clean-up is developed in a manner that embraces an all inclusive remediation of Ogoni land.

    The lawmaker said that although the implementation stage of the program was slow it was still ongoing in line with its original framework and should not be viewed as an abandoned project.

    “The issue of delay in the implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoni began with the past administration that ran for six years without any program of action to support commencement of the exercise.

    “This present administration has within two years shown commitments towards implementation as it has already constituted governing bodies to take charge of the entire process,” he said.

    Olu said that relevant stakeholders had shown clear commitment by creating a Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Restoration Fund in August 2016 to oversee and fund the clean-up.

    In another development, the lawmaker has decried the non payment of arrears of salaries and allowances of some lawmakers in the state since 2015.

    According to him, the state Ministry of Finance attributed the delay to unverified bio-metrics of the affected lawmakers.

    He, however, said that the affected lawmakers had been verified by the ministry but were yet to be paid.

    Olu called on Gov. Nyesom Wike to ensure that arrears of the affected lawmakers were cleared to alleviate their sufferings.

    NAN

  • Wike lauds NAN neutrality, seeks more partnership

    Wike lauds NAN neutrality, seeks more partnership

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has lauded the neutrality of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in reporting activities of his administration and efforts at enhancing developmental journalism.

    Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to NAN, South-South Zonal Office in Port Harcourt.

    Nwakaudu told the Zonal Manager, Mr Dianabasi Effiong, that the governor was appreciative of the agency’s work in the state and in providing credible information on issues affecting the state.

    He said that in spite of being a Federal agency, the agency has not displayed any bias in the coverage of the state including activities of the PDP-led administration.

    He said: “I am here formerly to interface with your esteemed organisation in view of the wonderful contribution of NAN in areas of news coverage in the state.

    “NAN is a strong organ in the dissemination of news. We are aware that developmental journalism premised on facts is critical to the sustenance of development and democracy across the country.

    “We always like to interact with agencies like NAN that promote credible information. Although NAN is a federal agency they have tried very hard to be neutral in the dissemination of information.

    “We are in opposition party in Rivers but you are still giving us good coverage. We already have a partnership with NAN.

    “We assure you we are going to extend it based on discussions we are currently having.

    “We want you to use your good offices to deploy your very qualified manpower to touch on the very critical areas that the governor is reaching out to, especially developmental projects.

    “These projects cut across different sectors of the economy, infrastructure, health, education and other key areas.

    “It will be wise for us to have you touch on or report human interest stories for people to get to know what is happening around them.

    “Such stories can be done in areas like Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, entertainment, tourism, ecumenical centre, general hospitals in different local government areas, key roads like Sapenwa-Bori, and Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity roads.

    “These are key areas that affect the daily living condition of the people and we are seeking a partnership with NAN in those key areas.

    “NAN had been there; you have the required manpower, people who can do reports objectively and project what is happening for people to get to know what is happening around them.’’

    He said that Wike embarked on key development projects for people to appreciate governance and understand that although there were different political groups and parties, things were happening in different parts of Nigeria.

    “Our governor, Nyesom Wike is about the best in the country. What we want to do is that these areas that we impact positively on the lives of the people are thrown up for people to see and appreciate.

    “We do this for people to appreciate the importance of governance and democracy and inspire other governors who give excuses that they cannot perform because we have economic downturn.

    “We have shown that salaries are being paid, our government is still working and government is doing projects and what is expected of them.

    “I am glad to be here and assure you that we will continue to work together and ensure that it is in our best interest to keep information flowing in the best interest of our people,’’ he said.

    In his response, Effiong assured the government that NAN was not an institutional opponent, but a core professional body guided by patriotism in projecting the truth without prejudice.

    According to the zonal manager, NAN will sustain its partnership with Rivers government through its local and international services, entertainment, tourism and other critical areas of news dissemination.

    NAN

  • BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    The fight between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has got messier, with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) supported with purpose-built office complex in Port Harcourt, when Amaechi was governor, suddenly given quit notice by officials of Wike’s local government council.

    The quit notice came from Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers state, where Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, hails from, through the council’s Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda Wokem.

    Wike, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and most leaders of the PDP decided to declare war against the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers state, Akin Fakorede, a lawyer, for allegedly refusing to support the plans of the PDP during the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun.

    Fakorede, who hails from Ekiti State, in a telephone interview, however, declared that the security outfit would never vacate the facility given to it by Amaechi’s govt on August 23, 2012, asking officials of the local government council to desist from making false claims.

    While also speaking on the telephone on Friday, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government council, Goodnews Ozioma Amadi, a member of PDP, who was recently appointed by Wike for three months, with the possibility of being reappointed for another three months, if she performs optimally, in her reaction, said: “It is a legal matter. It is being handled by the council’s Legal Adviser.”

    The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, in Port Harcourt, said: “Of course, this is one of the clearest evidence of the war of attrition being waged by Wike and his government against the F-SARS in Rivers State. It is a development foretold by discerning minds.”

    Rivers APC also claimed that Wike was fighting F-SARS in the state and Fakorede, because of 2019 elections and the governor’s vice-presidential ambition in 2019, with the state’s commander of F-SARS having earlier allegedly refused to be bribed to support the massive rigging of the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun in Rivers.

    The quit notice from Obio/Akpor local government council, located in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, and the reply of F-SARS, both on their colourful letterheads, were obtained on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    The quit notice was dated October 18, 2017, signed by the local government council’s legal adviser, was addressed to the commander of F-SARS, Sir Celestine Omehia Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, and titled: “Notice to Vacate and Deliver up Possession of the Property/Premises You Occupy Inside the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu Town, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.”

    Wokem (LG legal adviser) said: “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month notice to vacate and deliver up possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, which you presently occupy, as a licensee thereof, on or before 30th day of November 2017.

    “This directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the international market and to put the said property, which you occupy, into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.

    “Take further notice that in the event you fail, refuse or neglect to abide by this notice, the council shall have no option, but to use all available legal means to eject you therefrom and demand consequential damages. Please, be guided accordingly.”

    Copies of the Obio/Akpor local government’s quit notice were sent to Wike; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed.

    The quit notice, which was received by F-SARS, Rivers state on October 19, 2017, was stamped and signed by one of the officials of the security outfit, without the name indicated.

    F-SARS, Rivers state, in its reply, dated October 19, 2017, and signed by its commander (Fakorede), a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), accused the officials of Obio/Akpor local government council of being economical with the truth.

    The F-SARS’ response had copies sent to Rivers Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt and the Officer in Charge (O/C) Legal, State CID, Port Harcourt.

    F-SARS said: “I refer to your letter dated October 18, 2017 on the above subject matter and wish to respectfully inform your good office that the Rivers State F-SARS is not in possession or occupation of any premises/property of Obio/Akpor Local Government.

    “For the purpose of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the F-SARS is presently occupying a purpose-built police facility, constructed for the police and officially handed over to the F-SARS, Rivers State on August 23, 2012 by the Rivers State Government, under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, then Governor of Rivers State.

    “You are kindly requested to advise your client to desist from making false claims. Please be advised.”

    Fakorede, in yesterday’s telephone interview, also stated that F-SARS purpose-built facility had standard police station, cells, offices and residential quarters for officers and men, among other facilities to enhance the smooth operations of the special security outfit, while declaring that there was no way F-SARS could quit the facility it had been occupying for over five years.

    Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, at a news conference in Government House, Port Harcourt, accused Fakorede of taking sides with the leaders of the APC, while calling for his transfer out of the state.

    Okah drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, other Nigerians and the international community to the alleged atrocities committed in Rivers by F-SARS, under the command of Fakorede and the alleged deliberate refusal of the IGP, as well as the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reprimand or transfer the commander of F-SARS in the state.

    Information commissioner said: “Rivers State government is not after the person of Mr Akin Fakorede, but the odious methods he employs in doing his job and the consequences.”

    APC in Rivers, however, accused Wike and his allies of lying outright, in their declaration of war against the hardworking, focused and professional commander of F-SARS in the state.

    The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “The accusation by the Rivers State government is complete nonsense. If the police and particularly former Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were the armed wing of the PDP to tackle the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, years back, it does not by any means follow that APC today needs such an aberration or unholy alliance. We are a party of change.

    “APC has no special relationship with SARS or any security agency in the colour being painted by Wike and the PDP in Rivers State. We are happy that the Rivers State government and PDP in Rivers State have come out to unveil the real reasons they are battling SARS and its Commander, Akin Fakorede. They have spelt it out that it is all about 2019.

    “APC as a political party sensed it all along. We will not be surprised if the police high command already knows why PDP and Wike are whining, huffing and puffing about SARS and Akin Fakorede. Now, it is crystal clear who is politicising security in Rivers State and why the best efforts of the security agencies appear not to be achieving the desired results.”

    It will be recalled that Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), had been at loggerheads with Wike, his former Chief of Staff (2007-2011), who was the Director-General of Amaechi Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2011, before the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) recommended him (Wike) to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment in 2011, over who would be Rivers governor in 2015.

    Amaechi, an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, stated that to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state, it would not be proper for another Ikwerre person/Uplander to succeed him in 2015, while opting for a riverine successor, but Wike, also an Ikwerre from Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state maintained that emphasis should be placed on competence and capability to win elections, not zoning.

    Amaechi stuck to zoning between the upland and riverine parts of the state, leading to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of the state as the standard bearer of the APC, but he was rigged out, while he got favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, with Wike emerging victorious at the Supreme Court.

  • Photo news: Wike visits Dickson

    Photo news: Wike visits Dickson

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike (left) during a visit at Government House Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) exchanging pleasantries with the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike (left) during a visit at Government House Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis 

    Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) fielding question from Journalists during the Visit of the River State Governor , Nyesom Wike (2ndleft) to the State at Government House Yenagoa, while the State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiralm Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd, (left) looks on. Photo by Lucky Francis
    Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (centre) fielding question from Journalists during the Visit of the River State Governor, Nyesom Wike (2ndleft) to the State at Government House Yenagoa, while the State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd, (left) looks on. Photo by Lucky Francis

     

    Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) and his River State counterpart, Nyesom Wike during a visit at Government House Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis
    Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) and his River State counterpart, Nyesom Wike during a visit at Government House Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis
  • 2018 AWC: Wike appoints 13-man committee

    2018 AWC: Wike appoints 13-man committee

    The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON) has appointed a 13-man committee for the 2018 African Wrestling Championship(AWC).
    The 13-man committee include:Boma Iyaye – Commissioner of Sports (Chairman),  Daniel Igali – President Nigeria Wrestling Federation (Vice Chairman), Stephen Adue – Director (Admin), Ministry of Sports (Secretary), Barrister Emma Okah – Commissioner of Information (Member) and  Professor Princewill Chike – Commissioner of Health (Member), Mrs Tonye Briggs Onyide – Commissioner of Culture (Member), Mr Honour Sirawoo – President SWAN (Member).

    Others are the  Representative of Federal Minister of Sport, Commissioner of Police/Rep member

    Chief Jackson Bidei – (Representative of Nigeria Wrestling Federation), J.J Kio – Member, Ambassador Koko – Chief of Protocol/Senior special assistant andFalilat Ogunkoya – Nigeria Olympic Committee
    Meanwhile, members are to be inaugurated at the Rivers State Government House on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 1 pm.