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Tag: Wike

  • Pray against nation’s woes, Wike tells clerics

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has called on Christian clerics to work for enthronement of the rule of law.

    According to him, relegation of the rule of law, by the Federal Government, has led to atrocities by government agencies against opposition states.

    Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff Chukwuemeka Woke, spoke at the fourth anniversary of Fire Brand Apostolic Ministry Worldwide, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The governor urged the Church to pray for God’s intervention to stop the atrocities in the country.

    He reiterated his call that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government should approach the anti-corruption fight holistically.

    He said: “When the administration came on board, they preached change. They told Nigerians they would change the country, they talked about corruption and hunger in the land. But two years down the line, it appears hunger is multiplying. It appears that corruption has doubled…”

  • Wike, Amaechi’s battle shifts to N’Assembly

    Wike, Amaechi’s battle shifts to N’Assembly

    The running battle between Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has shifted to the National Assembly.

    It was exclusively gathered in Port Harcourt yesterday that the 10 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House of Representatives from Rivers State were plotting against the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in the state, particularly the Commander, Akin Fakorede, regarded by Wike and his supporters as Amaechi’s ally.

    In the latest phase of the unending supremacy battle, the PDP federal lawmakers, led by Kingsley Chinda, an ally of Wike and representative of Obio/Akpor Constituency in the House of Representatives, have sponsored a motion that culminated in a letter written by the House to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, alleging various acts of misdemeanour against Fakorede and his men.

    Only recently, the authorities of Obio/Akpor Local Government in the state issued an eviction letter to F-SARS in the state, asking Fakorede and his men to vacate the facility that housed their offices; a move believed to have had the guiding hand of the governor who sees Fakorede as an ally of Amaechi and other APC chieftains in the state.

    Fakorede was said to have responded by saying that he and his men would not vacate the facility in question because it was purposely built to house their offices.

    The F-SARS boss is believed to have ruffled many feathers in the state’s PDP for disarming many of the party’s thugs and making life uncomfortable for them.

    The House of Representatives’ letter with reference number NASS/CNA/105/Vol. 23/123, addressed to the IGP and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Olayide Adelami, and obtained by our correspondent in Port Harcourt, was titled “Need to Investigate Acts of Harassment, Torture, Extra-Judicial Killings and other Unwholesome Practices of the F-SARS in Rivers State (HR.98/2017.”

    Adelami’s letter to Idris reads: “The purpose of this letter is to convey the resolution of the House to you for further necessary action. The House of Representatives deliberated on the above subject matter and consequently resolved to condemn in very strong terms, the acts of harassment, torture, extra-judicial killings and other unwholesome practices by operatives of F-SARS in Rivers State and indeed other parts of the country.”

    It added: “Victims of F-SARS operations in Rivers State alleged that F-SARS operatives are usually armed with guns, axes, machetes and other dangerous weapons and employ various malevolent methods, including planting illicit drugs and other incriminating items and objects on unsuspecting victims and also go about with Point Of Sale (POS) machines, with which they coerce unsuspecting victims to make money transfers in their favour.

    “Aware that there are also several reported cases of harassment, torture, extra-judicial killings and other unwholesome practices by operatives of F-SARS in Port Harcourt and its environs, some rescued victims of kidnapping have consistently pointed at F-SARS operatives as being responsible for most of the kidnappings in Rivers State, particularly along the East-West Road and Owerri-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    “Worried that a security outfit as F-SARS is being turned into a violent terror contraption, whose victims are usually left entirely at the ‘mercy’ of the F-SARS officers, until they are able to ‘bail’ themselves, while others are instantly shot dead, as seen in the Rumuakunde, Emohua incident.”

    The federal lawmakers also alleged that the IGP had consistently failed, refused and/or neglected to investigate the “grave indictments” of the F-SARS, claiming that the negative testimonies continued unabated.

    They noted that the acts, if not immediately checked, could lead to anarchy and in turn negatively affect society and cause despondency in the minds of people and residents of Rivers State and the teeming Nigerian masses.

    The Reps alleged that the acts of the operatives of F-SARS had negatively affected and reduced the image and reputation of the Nigeria Police Force before the rest of the world.

    Contacted for his reaction, Fakorede, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), declined comment, saying that at the appropriate time, his detailed response would be made available to the members of the House of Representatives.

    Last Saturday, Wike and Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, alleged assassination attempts against each other following a bloody clash involving policemen attached to them at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt.

    The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, had described the clash as a “minor traffic infraction,” stressing that the meeting of the two eminent personalities’ convoys was coincidental, adding that there was no attempt to assassinate either of the two Ikwerre sons.

    Chairman of the PDP in Rivers, Chief Felix Obuah, alleged that Fakorede led operatives of F-SARS to the scene to assassinate Wike, but the Rivers Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Davies Ikanya, said the allegation was not only misguided but callous, malicious and vindictive.

  • Zik Lecture: Wike canvasses national unity

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Nigerians to work towards the promotion of the country’s unity and corporate existence.

    The governor condemned the overzealousness of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who withdrew the security detail of the Anambra State Governor, saying that no amount of intimidation will solve the country’s challenges.

    He spoke yesterday at the Sixth Zik Lecture Series in honour of the First President of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

    Wike, who was chairman of the occasion,  said: “Irrespective of the side of the political and social divide we may belong, we all share a common responsibility as leaders and ordinary people to advance and preserve the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria, which for me, is the greatest honour we can ever give to the memory of the Great Zik of Africa.

    “But in committing ourselves to this mission, we cannot also continue to deny the challenges that we presently face as a nation and the choice that we must make to preserve the nation’s unity in the midst of increasing agitations for political and economic restructuring sweeping across the country. “

    The governor said like every other pluralistic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society, Nigeria’s diversity remains the abiding source of the country’s collective strength and resilience.

    Wike added:  “However, our diversity is under severe stress and even becoming rather a threat to our collective progress because of embedded fault lines in the existing political and economic structures of the country.

    “Unfortunately, our failures as a people to resolve these structural defects continue to trouble and negate national cohesion and development. For, it is vain to expect peace in injustice; unity in inequity and progress where governance is bereft of accountability, respect for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and where national institutions are easily politicised, weakened and rendered ineffective.”

    The governor commended Senator Ben Obi for the very creative initiative as well as the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for providing the intellectual platform for the effective propagation of the timeless ideas and enduring values of the Great Zik of Africa.

    He said: “Today, we are gathered here to honour the memory of one of the greatest sons of Igboland, of Nigeria and of the black race, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe under the auspices of the Annual Zik Lecture Series instituted by my senior brother, Senator (Dr.) Ben Obi.

    “Whatever verdict history records, no one can deny that Zik was not just one of the foremost architects of the Nigerian nation; he was also among the most towering figures in the history of Africa’s politics.

    “The Great Zik therefore deserves all and every honour his apostles, and in deed a grateful nation, can bestow to keep his memory alive and in the consciousness of the people. “

    He said the choice before Nigerians is to build inclusive, equitable and participatory political and economic systems where everyone justly benefits from the proceeds of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, which are lacking in the present authoritarian political environment where protests are easily cast as dissents, where inequity and impunity are promoted as national policies, and where our rights and freedoms are easily denied.

    The governor decried the level of impunity displayed by the Inspector General of Police in the withdrawal of the security details of the Anambra State Governor, pointing out that he suffered the same fate during the Rivers rerun elections.

    The governor said Nigerians will resist the plot to manipulate the 2019 polls. He said the lawless actions of the Inspector General of Police reveals the plan to use intimidation as a political weapon.

    Founder of the Zik Lecture Series and Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee Senator Ben Obi said the Lecture Series were initiated to celebrate the legacies of the first Nigerian President and to immortalise him.

  • ‘I didn’t comment on Wike, Amaechi clash’ 

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) has debunked reports that he  commented on the clash between Governor Nyesom Wike and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Abe, in a statement yesterday by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, said: “My attention has been drawn to a false statement credited to me, concerning what happened in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Let me say clearly that I have made no comment on the matter and I will make none.

    “It’s important that we curtail undue sensationalism and allow the authorities concerned to carry out a proper investigation into the incident.

    “I urge the public to view statements from unverifiable sources with suspicion and to refrain from circulating such.”

  • Police probe Wike, Amaechi bloody clash  

    Police probe Wike, Amaechi bloody clash  

    Police Chief Ibrahim Idris has ordered a probe into the  Saturday clash between security detail of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and those of Minister of Transportation Chibuile Amaechi in Port Harcourt.

    Although nobody died during the clash, many were injured and the rifle of a policeman was snatched at the Trans-Amadi Layout.

    Both Wike and Amaechi, who are former allies, claim thay escaped assassination.

    Rivers Police Command spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed that a probe had been launched into the incident and the involvement of policemen.  He did not give details.

    The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Promise Wosu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and other security personnel who were involved in the bloody clash.

    In a statement by its Chairman Chief Davies Ikanya, made available by his media adviser Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the APC said: “Reports made available to us by Prince Tonye Princewill, an associate to Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was in the same car with the Minister of Transportation, indicated that Wike’s dispatch rider pulled a pistol to assassinate Amaechi, but missed his target, after which Amaechi’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Mr. Seimeikumo Debewari, intervened to save the minister from further assassination attempt.

    “Prince Princewill stated that he was at a loss if the attack was not an assassination attempt on the Transportation Minister, somebody should explain to him in a clearer sentence why Wike’s despatch rider failed to stop the two security vehicles of the minister, which had already crossed, but decided for whatever reasons, to block the vehicle in which the minister was driving.

    “Prince Princewill also asked why the attempt by Amaechi, who was driving the car, to navigate his vehicle out of danger was prevented by two security men from Rivers governor’s convoy, who pulled their pistols to shoot him, but when Wike’s security men realised that the vehicle that the minister was driving was bullet-proofed, they resorted to hitting the jeep with the butts of their guns and in the process broke the right driving mirror and attempted to break Amaechi’s windscreen.

    “After the failed attempt to kill the Transportation Minister, his escort team was physically assaulted by Wike’s CSO and Rivers governor, with the operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) on the minister’s convoy dislodged and forcibly dispossessed of one of their AK-47 rifles.”

    Rivers APC also stated that the dangerous trend, if not nipped in the bud, might jeopardise the peace pervading the Niger Delta.

    It reiterated that Wike’s main desire was to truncate Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy, after the failed plot by the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the 2015 presidential election, stressing that the Rivers governor’s disdain for President Muhammadu Buhari, APC and Amaechi was legendary.

    The opposition party said: “Wike recently exhibited hatred for Buhari’s administration during his misguided lecture at Chatham House, London, where he disparaged the Federal Government, demarketed and rubbished all the efforts of the APC-led Federal Government to right most of the wrongs of the past PDP government in a foreign land.

    “Wike should not be allowed to turn Rivers State into a theatre of unwarranted war, only obtainable during the Sir Celestine Omehia’s era, when Port Harcourt was rated as the riskiest place in the world.”

    Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah described as wishful thinking, the call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Governor Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO). Promise Wosu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and other security personnel.

    Okah, said: “The call for the arrest and prosecution of Wike’s CSO lacks merit, it is mere wishful thinking and it should be disregarded.

    “If APC chairman is calling for arrest and prosecution of Wike’s CSO, what do we do to the policemen that attacked the Rivers governor’s escort rider? Do we also call for their arrest and prosecution?”

    Okah also stated that there should be no double standard in order to ensure justice.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected Chinese ‘kidnapper’

  • Wike, Amaechi convoy clash in Port Harcourt

    Wike, Amaechi convoy clash in Port Harcourt

    •I escaped assassination – Wike

    •Governor’s security pulled guns on me – Amaechi

    IT was a horrifying scene yesterday afternoon in Port Harcourt, as policemen attached to Governor Nyesom Wike and that of the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, clashed.

    Amaechi’s escort details were, however, unlucky during the 3p.m. attack, as one of them, Sgt. Eteng Ewelu, was battered, with blood on his face, while the AK-47 rifle of Sgt. Princewill Ubaji was snatched, while being forcibly disarmed, with the rifle taken away by the Rivers governor’s convoy.

    Wike, through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in his reaction, however, claimed that personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) and soldiers attached to the minister of transportation attacked his convoy, while allegedly attempting to assassinate him.

    But Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Media Office in a statement yesterday said, “In a blatant show of naked raw power, Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi this (yesterday) afternoon narrowly escaped being shot by security men attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.  His car wasn’t that lucky though. The car was vandalized with a broken side mirror.”

    Report of the sad incident was immediately lodged at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Rivers Police Command, headed by Zaki Ahmed, while Ubaji’s rifle had not been recovered, with Ewelu and other injured policemen still receiving treatment in undisclosed hospitals in Port Harcourt, as at press time.

    It was exclusively gathered yesterday evening in Port Harcourt through a top security source, who would not want to be named, that the unfortunate incident heightened tension in the area, with passersby, motorists, other road users and persons in the neighbourhood scampering to safety, to avoid being hit by stray bullets in the confusion.

    The security source said: “Today, November 11, 2017 (yesterday) at 3 p.m., the Transportation Minister, who was driving from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in company with police escorts, got his convoy intercepted by the Rivers governor (Wike) at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout by Nkpogu in Port Harcourt. The security details managed to ferry  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to safety, after which the Rivers governor led his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Promise Wosu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), and about ten mobile policemen, to attack his predecessor/benefactor’s convoy.

    “The Rivers governor and his troops physically assaulted by slapping and bruising the policemen, especially Inspector Johnson Imonikhe, Sgt. Eteng Ewelu and Sgt. Princewill Ubaji, attached to the transportation minister and the governor made away with the AK-47 rifle of Sgt. Princewill Ubaji, one of the policemen attached to the transportation minister.

    “The AK-47 rifle was forcibly taken away personally by Governor Wike, who was accompanied by his CSO. The policeman with blood on his face, Sgt. Eteng Ewelu, was hit with an iron by Wosu (Wike’s CSO), in the presence of the Rivers State governor.

    “The snatched AK-47 rifle is still in the custody of the Rivers governor’s team and the incident has been referred to State CID (SCID) for investigation.”

    When contacted for his reaction through the telephone yesterday evening, the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), stated that he would find out the details, asking our reporter to call back in ten minutes, but when contacted twice, after thirty minutes, he did not picked the calls, and he had not returned the call, as at press time.

    Nwakaudu in a statement said: “Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Saturday escaped assassination, as Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in the motorcade of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, attacked his convoy.

    “The governor, who was on project inspection, was attacked at Nwanja Junction on Trans-Amadi Road. The SARs personnel and soldiers in the minister’s convoy hit down the governor’s escort rider and attacked the policemen in the pilot car. Mr Debewari, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the minister of transportation, supervised the attack, which included damage of cameras held by journalists.

    “Also part of the attack was the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede (a Chief Superintendent of Police), who received the minister of transportation at the Port Harcourt International Airport and accompanied him on his trip.”

    He added that after the attack the governor continued with his inspection of projects, adding that Wike was not harmed.

    The minister’s media office said the incident which occurred along Trans-Amadi Road, Nwaja axis involved cars of many of Amaechi’s  supporters while the Minister’s black jeep was intercepted and blocked at the junction by the security motorcycle outrider attached to Wike after two cars had passed through.

    The statement added, “One of the two cars had security men assigned to protect the minister in Port Harcourt.  Suddenly, gun-toting security men attached to Wike’s convoy surrounded the Minister’s car, threatening to shoot him. They hit the car, tried to smash the windscreens, back and side windows and broke a side mirror. All through this attack, Amaechi remained calm, inside the fortified Jeep.  While the attack occurred, Wike remained inside his vehicle.”

    It added that the minister eventually passed through after the intervention of the security team on ground to protect him in Port Harcourt. It continued, “However, when Governor Wike got to the point where the incident occurred after Amaechi’s vehicle had gone by, his security men blocked the road again, dragged out from a vehicle and thoroughly beat up a police man attached to protect Amaechi in Port Harcourt.  The Policeman’s riffle was also taken from him.”

    The Amaechi media office added that Wike came out of his car, and with his security team went from one vehicle to another of Amaechi’s supporters charging at them, harassing and abusing them. It alleged that Wike’s security men were heard loudly insulting Amaechi and calling him derogative names.

    In the meantime, Ikwerre youths have condemned what they called the attack on Amaechi and the policemen in his convoy.

    The Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) International from the four Rivers Local Government Areas of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Emohua, described the attack as very unfortunate and least expected.

    Amaechi and Wike are both Ikwerre. The transportation minister hails from Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, while the Rivers governor is an indigene of Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor council.

    IYM, through its President-General, Azubuike Nwanjoku, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ikwerre constituency, in an online statement by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dike Bekwele, declared that Wike’s action was suicidal and detrimental to the already-charged environment being witnessed in the state and insecurity in Rivers in recent times.

     

  • Amaechi, Wike convoys in bloody clash

    Amaechi, Wike convoys in bloody clash

    A bloody clash was on Saturday recorded in Port Harcourt, Rivers State between the security convoys of Governor Nyesom Wike and that of the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Security officials of Governor Wike allegedly attacked  the convoy of the Transportation Minister.

    Amaechi’s escort details were, however, unlucky during the 3 p.m. attack, as one of them, Sgt. Eteng Ewelu, was battered, with blood on his face, while the AK-47 rifle of Sgt. Princewill Ubaji was snatched, while being forcibly disarmed.

    Wike, through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in his reaction, however, claimed that personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) and soldiers attached to the minister of transportation attacked his convoy, while allegedly attempting to assassinate him.

    Report of the sad incident was immediately lodged at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Rivers Police Command, headed by Zaki Ahmed, while Ubaji’s rifle had not been recovered, with Ewelu and other injured policemen still receiving treatment in undisclosed hospitals in Port Harcourt, as at press time.

    When contacted for his reaction through the telephone yesterday evening, the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), stated that he would find out the details.

    He asked our reporter to call back in ten minutes, but when contacted twice, after thirty minutes, he did not take the calls, and he had not called back, as at press time.

    Nwakaudu said: “Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Saturday escaped assassination, as Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in the motorcade of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, attacked his convoy.

    “The governor, who was on project inspection, was attacked at Nwanja Junction on Trans-Amadi Road. The SARs personnel and soldiers in the minister’s convoy hit down the governor’s escort rider and attacked the policemen in the pilot car. Mr Debewari, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the minister of transportation, supervised the attack, which included damage of cameras held by journalists.

    “Also part of the attack was the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede (a Chief Superintendent of Police), who received  the minister of transportation at the Port Harcourt International Airport and accompanied on his trip.

    “After the attack, the Rivers State governor continued with his  inspection of projects. Governor Wike was not harmed, despite  the attack. The minister of transportation had over 50 personnel of F-SARS, soldiers and mobile policemen in his motorcade.”

    The reaction of Amaechi’s Spokesman, David Iyofor, was still being expected as at press time.

  • Wike’s brilliant presentation in London opens opportunities for investors –Rivers PDP chair

    Wike’s brilliant presentation in London opens opportunities for investors –Rivers PDP chair

    The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has stated that the brilliant presentation of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), London, has opened opportunities for investors. He joined other world leaders in commending the comportment of Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, during the presentation.

    Obuah, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, stated that the benefits of the Rivers governor’s presentation in London to the people of the state, the South South zone and Nigeria could not be overemphasized. He noted that Wike’s invitation by the Chatham House and his excellent presentation and interaction with policy makers, development experts, international journalists, businessmen and captains of industry in London had opened limitless opportunities for prospective foreign and local business investors in Rivers.

  • Wike to global community: save Nigeria’s democracy

    Wike to global community: save Nigeria’s democracy

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has asked the international community to save Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse by mounting pressure on the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

    He said by so doing, the party will uphold the rule of law and guarantee the integrity of the electoral system.

    Wike stated that Nigeria’s revenue sharing formula had made growth difficult in states as the Federal Government carts away 53per cent of national revenue.

    The governor said the 36 states share “a meagre 22 per cent”.

    He spoke on Monday at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), London when he delivered a lecture on the topic: “Defining development for Rivers State and steps to sustainable implementation”.

    The governor said: “There is need for the international community to save the country and its democracy from imminent collapse by putting sufficient pressures on the Federal Government to uphold the rule of law, guarantee the integrity of the electoral system and do socio-economic justice to all segments of the Nigerian society

    “The fact cannot be disputed that states bear greater development burden than the Federal Government.  However, under the flawed revenue allocation regime, the Federal Government alone retains 53 per cent of national revenue and allocates only 22 per cent to the entire 36 States of the federation.

    “Obviously, when 22 per cent of national revenue is disaggregated among 36 states, what comes to each state is not more than 0.6 per cent on the average per annum, which by any stretch of imagination is incapable of funding serious developmental programmes for any state”.

    He said the country was in serious political and economic decline.

    He said: “The politicisation and active involvement of key national institutions, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police in the rigging of the re-run elections in Rivers State was not only an affront to democracy, such acts constitute a serious invitation to chaos with destructive consequences of unknown dimensions.”

    The governor explained to the international community that despite generating a huge percentage of the nation’s resources, Rivers State has suffered untold neglect and deprivation by the Federal Government over the years.

    Wike lamented the developmental challenges that have bedevilled Rivers State, despite her enormous resources.

    He said though previous administrations have played key roles in developing the state, the immediate past Amaechi administration stagnated development through alleged “unbridled theft of state funds during an era of resource boom”.

    Chair of the presentation Sir Richard Gozney KCMG CVO, Lieutenant Governor, Isle of Man and British High Commissioner to Nigeria (2004-2007) noted that Rivers State is important to Nigeria’s growth and plays a significant role in regional affairs.

    British High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Paul Awkright, who attended Wike’s presentation, urged him to continue to work for the improvement of security to increase foreign direct investments.

     

  • Wike bags Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award

    Wike bags Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award

    In recognition  of his outstanding achievements  in the area of urban renewal , sustainable cities and provision of basic amenities to the residential areas of low-income earners, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was on Monday night honoured with the “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award “.
    Nigeria’s moment of glory peaked  in New York City  on Monday night when the the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) presented the international award to Governor Wike in the presence of international diplomats, development professionals, high-level administrators and  leaders of international non governmental organisations.
    The governor was accompanied to the International Award Ceremony by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, two of his children, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara, Member Representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency, Ken Chikere, Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih,  the Former Minister of Sport, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Rivers State Commissioner of Information, Barrister Emma Okah and and Elder Statesman, Prince Emma Anyanwu, Member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Betty Apiafi among others .
    The 12th Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS XII)  was jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of the Gambia to the UN, the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN (AU), the Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the University Peace Federation (UPF), the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) and  the better City Institute (BCI) .
    Wike
    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (3rd Left) on the Second Row during the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award by the the Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) in New York City on Monday night.
    Speaking at the award ceremony in New York , a representative of the United Nations Environment,   Mara Murillo said that the organisation salutes Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for having developed the awards and the constituency for which it has been organized.
    The United Nations Environment Representative congratulated the 23 awardees  who were selected for their positive achievements and leadership.
    The Representative stated: “The awards recognise their feats which inspire and encourage others to innovate and replicate similar feats”.
    The Vice Chairman of Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities, Dr Taj  Hamad said all the awardees have made great achievements that merit the awards.
    Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the United Nations, Mamadou Tangara urged all awardees to continue to work  for sustainable cities across the world.
    Ms Mara Angelica of the United Nations Programme lent her voice to the calls for collaborations in developing habitable cities.
    There were 23 awards in six different categories.  The Rivers State Governor received his “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award” under the “Individual Initiatives to Advance Sustainable Development Category”.
    The award was presented to Wike by the Vice President of Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities.
    Wike
    In his acceptance speech, Wike pledged that he will continue his landmark projects to improve the living condition of the Rivers people.
    “Let me on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State sincerely thank the organisers  of this award for the recognition.
    “To also commit ourselves that we will progressively provide infrastructure and  social services that will enhance  the living standards of all Rivers people on a sustainable basis “.
    In a video footage explaining the premise on which Wike received the award,  the governor was commended for reducing urban slums and  bridging poverty gaps .  Wike was also praised for positive leadership, provision of infrastructure and basic amenities.
    The 23 awardees were drawn from different countries including Nigeria, China, Bulgaria, Germany, USA, India and Indonesia.