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Tag: Wike

  • Wike receives award in New York today

    Wike receives award in New York today

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike will today receive the “Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award“.

    It will be presented by  Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA), New York, USA.

    As an important event to celebrate the World Cities Day 2017, the 12th Global Forum on Human Settlements & Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards Ceremony (GFHS XII) will hold at the United Nations  headquarters, New York.

    The organisers said GFHS – XII is committed to creating a global platform for high-level dialogues, sharing advanced standards, technology and success experience, enhancing capacity building, fostering partnership and facilitating effective actions.

    The theme of  GFHS – XII is: “Effectively Planning and Managing Urban Spatial Development to Implement 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and New Urban Agenda.”

    The GFHS – XII will be organised 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-Government Organisations (WANGO) and  the Better City Institute (BCI) etc.

    Wike is being recognised for his great commitment and contribution to sustainable cities in Rivers State.

    He has developed infrastructure in settlements in  parts of the state, ensuring that people have access to basic amenities.

    The governor is also being recognised  for building Iriebe Medium Housing Estate, Rivers Quarters at the NNS Pathfinder, quarters for junior workers of the DSS and facilitating improved investment in housing by private investors.

  • Wike, Rivers F-SARS Commander’s face-off worsens… as Rivers council ejects anti-robbery squad

    Wike, Rivers F-SARS Commander’s face-off worsens… as Rivers council ejects anti-robbery squad

    The face-off between Governor Nyesom Wike and the Commander of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in Rivers State, Akin Fakorede, has worsened with a notice issued to the anti-robbery outfit to quit its office complex.

    The office complex situated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was allocated to F-SARS by the state government while Governor Wike’s political rival and Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, held sway as the governor of the state.

    The quit notice was issued by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, the local government where Wike hails from, through the council’s Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda Wokem.

    Wike, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was said to have fallen out with Fakorede over the legislative election rerun conducted in the state in December last year.

    In a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday, however, Fakorede, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the security outfit would not vacate the facility allocated to it by the Amaechi’s government on August 23, 2012, asking officials of the local government council to desist from making false claims.

    Also speaking on the telephone yesterday, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Goodnews Ozioma Amadi, said: “It is a legal matter. It is being handled by the council’s Legal Adviser.”

    Amadi, a PDP chieftain, was recently appointed by Governor Wike to act as caretaker chairman of the local government for three months with the chance of being re-appointed for another three months.

    Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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.”

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

    Copies of the quit notice issued by Obio/Akpor Local Government Council as well as the response of F-SARS, both on their colourful letterheads, were obtained by our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday.

    The quit notice dated October 18, 2017 was signed by the council’s legal adviser and addressed to the commander of F-SARS, 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 wrote: “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, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris and the Rivers State 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 Fakorede accused the officials of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of being economical with the truth.

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

    F-SARS’ stated in its response: “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, 2812 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 a 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 more than five years.

    Rivers State 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, calling for his transfer away from the state.

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

    Okah 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 party 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.”

    The Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) International said yesterday that the move by the Rivers State Government to eject the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) from its purpose-built facility in Port Harcourt was borne out of malice and vendetta.

    IYM’s President-General, Azubuike Nwanjoku, accompanied by the movement’s Publicity Secretary, Dike Bekwele, declared that the quit notice was anti-people and an exercise in futility.

    The umbrella organisation of Ikwerre youths said: “The action of the Rivers State Government, through its proxy in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, is an aberration and abuse of power. Governor Nyesom Wike is bent on working for the redeployment of the F-SARS’ Commander, Akin Fakorode, who has refused to be cowed to do his (Wike’s) bidding.

    “Wike, as the chief security officer of Rivers State, should apply wisdom in handling security matters rather than endangering the security architecture of the state. It is antithetical to the wishes and aspirations of Rivers people. The move (quit notice) must be resisted.

    “Rivers State without men of the F-SARS will remain a pariah state. The level of capital loss and divestment in Rivers State in recent months over insecurity is very worrisome. The collaboration between the Ikwerre youth organisation and the security institutions, especially the police, in its campaign and crusade against killings, beheadings and other forms of criminality is paying off.

    “Members of IYM will not fold their arms and watch Rivers State degenerate into lawlessness over the actions of the state government. Rivers government must remain accountable to the people.

    “Wike should desist from playing politics with the security of the lives of Rivers people and their property.”

  • IPoB, Wike Set to Clash

    Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike is set for a major falling out with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB following media reports that linked the governor with the recently designated terror group.

    Mr. Wike and IPoB have been accused of being behind the mass panic caused by hoaxes about soldiers coercing school children to receive killer vaccines that spread the Monkey Pox virus. The Federal Government and experts have debunked reports of the story as false.
    A reliable source in IPoB told our correspondent that the group, which is agitating for the restoration of the erstwhile Biafra Republic, has become suspicious of Wike’s continued commitment to their cause. The source, who did not want to be identified because IPoB has been outlawed, accused the Rivers State Governor of exploiting his group for his selfish ends while threating members like mentally incapacitated people. According to him, the monthly subvention of 50million naira has been stopped over what the Governor allegedly described as lack of accountability in the running of IPOB affairs.
    He said, “Some of us think we can no longer trust this man. When Operation Python Dance II started clamping down on our members, we had thought that we can carry out reprisals in Rivers state since Governor Wike as a strategic partner should give us cover as someone in the opposition with a common enemy.

    “The man has stopped dropping the agreed sum and for over 2 months no one has heard from him which is a further proof that he is practically playing games with the movement after achieving his aim.
    “We were however jolted when Wike started saying things like IPoB are not welcome in Rivers or IPoB should not come to Rivers state, IPoB should stay away. Much as some of us initially thought that his attitude was to cover the relationship he has with us at that time, we have now become suspicious since the October 17 court date when the Federal Government failed to produce our Supreme Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in court.
    “The thing is that most of us now think that Wike knowingly allowed the APC (All Progressives Congress) to know that he was connected to the Monkey Pox vaccine message that we were sending around. It was a surprise when APC linked Wike to it and later some CSOs even provided details that should only be known to those that planned the strategy. If we did not reveal the secret, which we know we did not, then it could only have been the Governor.
    “He has betrayed us when they decided to say IPoB was a terrorist organization, he betrayed us when our leader’s house was invaded by soldiers, he betrayed us when our leader was not provided in court and he has again let us down by exposing the way we frustrated the criminal medical outreach of the Nigerian Army. It will not only be stupid to continue trusting Governor Wike but it is also dangerous since he may one day decamp to the APC and completely give away our strategic secrets.
    “We are now having to go back to the drawing board because we cannot give up on our quest for Biafra just because of a sellout, which is why it was agreed that there should be no official IPoB statement on Governor Wike’s betrayal. It is not even as we are worried about him because when you have a cause that the comments of someone like former President (Goodluck) Jonathan tallies with then you don’t allow little setbacks to hold you,” the source explained.
    Mr. Wike’s spokespersons have not commented on the IPoB allegations that he betrayed them as they have not answered calls to their mobile numbers while text messages sent to them were not replied.
    Wike had last month dismissed claims that the opposition, including himself, were sponsoring IPoB. He said “Who are those being affected by the activities of IPOB? Are they not those in the opposition states? In the hay days of Boko Haram, does the Inspector of General of Police (IGP) mean it was the opposition then that was sponsoring Boko Haram just to distract the government then?

  • Anti-SARS protesters funded by Wike, APC alleges

    Anti-SARS protesters funded by Wike, APC alleges

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed that Governor Nyesom Wike procured and funded the youths who protested in Port Harcourt on Friday against the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The main opposition party (APC) in Rivers, through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, yesterday in Port Harcourt, asked Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, to stop deceiving the people of the Niger Delta state.

    Rivers government, through the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, however, insisted that Wike’s government was committed to the protection of lives and property of Rivers residents.

    Okah, last Thursday, urged members of Rivers APC to shelve their allegedly planned solidarity march for SARS, which has as Commander, Mr. Akin Fakorede, whom Wike declared war against, over the December 10 last year’s rerun.

    Rivers APC immediately accused Wike’s government of lying, politicising security and behind insecurity in the state.

    On Friday, however, a group of young men and women marched in Port Harcourt, carrying anti-SARS placards.

    APC in Rivers said yesterday: “The motley crowd (anti-SARS protesters on Friday) of obviously hired young people was covered by the full compliments of Government House, Port Harcourt Press Corp, confirming the suspicion that it was Wike that was the architect and executioner of the project, in his sustained bid to politicise security in Rivers State, ahead of 2019 general elections.

    “The protest of Friday did not come to the APC and cursory observers as a surprise, because 24 hours earlier, the Rivers State government, through the Information and Communications Commissioner, Barr. Emma Okah, had flown a kite by accusing the APC of planning to organise a protest in solidarity with SARS. Okah’s press statement was obviously meant to divert attention from the anti-SARS protest the government had already planned, as was witnessed on Friday. Of course, APC had no plan to hold any rally at all and the party stated so.

    “To the APC, the Wike-organised anti-SARS march, funded and publicised by the Rivers State government on Friday, was only a small part of the strategic schemes by Wike, generally targeted at demonising, destabilising and demoralising security agencies in the state, but most importantly for Rivers governor, is his avowed objective of ensuring that CSP Akin Fakorede, SARS Commander, is removed from Rivers State.

    “Having thrown every imaginable bait at Mr. Fakorede, but failing to compromise the officer, Wike is hell-bent on seeing off Mr. Fakorede from Rivers State, especially as 2019 elections approach. The world knows that the self-acclaimed electoral invincibility of Wike is woven around the governor’s expertise in bribing electoral umpire and security agents. The evidence abound, including the matter of electoral officials who he bribed with over N360 million, who are presently standing trial, the audio recording that was published by Saharareporters and many other cases.”

     

  • Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

    Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

    Last week delivered drama aplenty in the country. There were very interesting and, occasionally, distressing news items.
    We had the appointment of a young and dishy-looking woman, Mrs Zainab Ahmad as  Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria  (CBN), the almighty feud between Dr. Ibe Kachiukwu,  Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Mr. Maikanti Baru, Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the unfortunate outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa State among others.
     Of considerably bigger interest to me, however, was the reported truce between the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson.
    It was a huge surprise to many Nigerians, last Thursday, when Wike , in company of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, stormed the Government House, Yenagoa.
    After the customary  photo ops, Governor Dickson and his guests met behind closed-doors for about three hours. Both governors emerged from the meeting hugging each other right before the  inquisitive Government House correspondents, whom they later addressed.
    Wike, beaming with smiles as though he had just found a long lost brother, said his meeting with Dickson was very successful and expressed willingness to regularly compare notes with the Bayelsa helmsman.  He also praised Dickson for putting Bayelsa State on the path of rapid development.
    “I am not surprised because Dickson prepared for the office and so you can see the result. You know once you prepared for an exam, certainly you will pass very well and that is why Dickson has done very well for his people and for the Ijaw nation. What I have seen today has made PDP proud; it has made the people of Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation ‎and the Niger Delta proud,”‎ gushed the Rivers State Governor.
    He particularly commended Dickson for building an iconic Governor’s Office Complex,  jokingly saying that he thought his office was grand before visiting Yenagoa and adding his colleague’s office will make him return to Port Harcourt and do something about his own office..
    Wike expressed his desire to partner with Governor Dickson in the area of political and economic development of the region as well as develop and share common ideas for the overall good of both states‎. He expressed confidence that his relationship with Dickson will consolidate the unity in the South-South zone.
     Dickson thanked Wike for the visit and the kind words he showered on him, saying he looks forward to working with him more closely to help develop regional integration.
     “We talked about a whole lot, including  security and developmental matters within our region‎ and in our respective states. As we progress, you will see all of this unfold and we will do so at the regional level in conjunction with all our brother governors”, Dickson said.
     The meeting came after a protracted cold war between the two governors. For long, the relationship between both men was frosty-and all fronts. The situation nearly shredded the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and South-South development initiative known as BRACED Commission. The commission was conceived to foster regional integration and economic development among Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED).
    Their feud climaxed when Wike failed to invite Dickson and Bayelsa State to the recent Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of Rivers State, an event that should have had both states playing prominent roles, given that Bayelsa was carved out of Rivers State.
    Curiously, while the feud persisted, former President Goodluck Jonathan made no effort to intervene despite being viewed as a leader to the rowing governors.
    Indeed in some quarters, the belief is that Jonathan and his wife, Patience, were happy at the spat between the two governors and actively encouraged its continuation. While there is no confirmation yet that Jonathan and his wife caused the feud, no one is in doubt that Jonathan’s inability to reconcile the two governors puts a huge question mark on his personality and leadership of the South-South zone. Could Jonathan have been deriving some benefits from the quarrel?  Perhaps.
    My take from the truce is that Wike realised the need to mend fences with Dickson, did so with flourish and deserves commendation for placing the interests of the region above personal political interests. The cessation of the feud gives many of us and of course, the PDP and the Niger Delta, the chance to breathe more easily. It is only if the two states are at peace that the Niger Delta region will have peace.  It is when the two Governors are on the same page that Rivers and  Bayelsa states will continue to remain in the PDP and neutralize the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    For how long will the new-found peace last? Nobody knows exactly, but I hope it endures for the overall good of the Niger Delta and the PDP.

  • Dickson, Wike seek closer ties on security, economy

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday visited his colleague in Bayelsa State,  Seriake Dickson.

    They were in a closed meeting.

    Wike said their discussions centred on fostering stronger ties between Rivers and Bayelsa.

    He said they were concerned about the security of life and property, Southsouth integration, political and economic ties, among others.

    Wike hailed his counterpart for his outstanding performance in transforming Bayelsa and expressed his commitment to work with him to ensure regional integration, socio-economic and political ties.

    The Rivers governor, who was accompanied by former Acting National Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus, praised Dickson for building a modern Governor’s Office.

    He said PDP and Ijaw nation were proud of Dickson’s performance, which endeared him to Niger Delta people and others.

    Wike said: “First of all, I’m not surprised because Dickson was prepared for the office. So, you can see the result. When you are prepared to sit for an exam, certainly you will pass well.

    “So, what I have seen today, he has made PDP proud. He has also made the people of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw and Niger Delta proud. Look at the edifice, (Governor’s Office), it was not there before.

    “I’m so happy. In fact, I was telling him that I thought we have an office, but with what I’ve seen today, I think I’d better have a rethink and see what I’m going to do to my office when I return to Port Harcourt.”

    Dickson thanked Wike for the visit, which he noted marked the beginning of closer interaction to deepen relationship between the two states.

    He said the meeting deliberated on how to intensify security and developmental issues in the best interest of the people of Southsouth, particularly Rivers and Bayelsa.

    Praising Wike for his  achievements, Dickson enjoined Rivers people to sustain their support for the his administration.

  • Dickson, Wike meet behind closed doors

    Dickson, Wike meet behind closed doors

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday paid a surprised visit to his Bayelsa State counterpart, Seriake Dickson and met with him behind closed doors.

    Wike, who later emerged from the meeting and exchanged banters with Dickson, said their discussions centred on fostering stronger ties between Rivers and Bayelsa.

    He said they were concerned about the security of lives and property in the two states, South South integration, political and economic ties among others.

    He commended Dickson for his outstanding performance, in transforming Bayelsa and expressed his desire to work closely with him to ensure regional integration, political and socio-economic development.

    Wike, who was accompanied by the former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, particularly commended Dickson for building a state-of-the-art complex as a new Governor’s Office.

    He said the PDP and the Ijaw nation were proud of Dickson’s performance in office, adding that had endeared him to the people of Niger Delta and beyond.

    He said: “First of all, I’m not surprised because Dickson was prepared for the office and so you can see the results. When you are prepared to write an exam, certainly you will pass very well.

    “And so what I have seen today, he has made PDP proud. He has also made the people of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta proud. Look at the edifice, (new Governor’s Office), it was not there before.

    “I’m so happy. In fact, I was telling him, that I thought we have an office but with what I have seen today, I think I’d better have a re-think and see what I’m going to do to my office when I return to Port Harcourt.”

    On his part, Dickson expressed gratitude to Wike for the visit, noting it marked the beginning of closer interactions between the two sister states.

    According Dickson, the duo also deliberated on how to intensify security and developmental issues in the best interests of the people of the South-South region and particularly Rivers and Bayelsa.

     

  • Why Nigeria is not progressing, by Wike

    Why Nigeria is not progressing, by Wike

    •Governor pays fines for 19 convicts to regain freedom
    •Commutes death sentences to life imprisonment

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said these are extraordinary times for the country, made worse by failure to redefine and restructure the nation towards a progressive path since independence.

    As part of the 57th independence celebration, he paid fines for 19 convicts to regain freedom, commuted 32 death sentences to life imprisonment, approved release of 32 convicts from prison and granted free pardon to three convicts.

    In an Independence Day address at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, the governor said Nigerians must unite behind the national flag, setting aside the narrative of division, violence and hate and replacing them with the narrative of peace and unity.

    He said: “After nearly 18 unbroken years of democracy and despite positive assertions to the contrary, our democracy keeps floundering under the watch of the Federal Government, just as the vast majority of Nigerians are alienated from the state, estranged from development process and denied dividends of democracy.

    “If economic progress is the test of our democracy, then we have failed as a nation. For 57 years we abandoned other economic options and depended on an economic product derived from the natural bowels of the Niger Delta.”

    Wike said the reality was that the country was divided, flirting with crisis from the hegemonic tendencies of the powers that be, who had failed and were unwilling to acknowledge the depth of injustice against other sections of the country, especially the minority resource-bearing communities.

    Said he: “We all crave strong national institutions to support our democracy, protect our freedom and advance our development. Unfortunately, instead of advancing our democracy and protecting our liberties,

  • Wike to Nigerians: build bridges of peace

    Wike to Nigerians: build bridges of peace

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerians to commit to building bridges of peace and development.

    He congratulated Nigerians on the 57th Independence Anniversary, noting that despite the challenges of nationhood, the nation will continue to make progress.

    Wike assured Rivers will continue to work for a united Nigeria, declaring it is not part of any agitation for secession.

    The governor restated his call for dialogue to resolve all developmental, economic and political challenges facing the country.

    He called for better security and justice for all federating units  to  give all Nigerians a sense  of belonging and de-escalate tension across the land.

     

  • Wike tackles Buhari, Amaechi, Mohammed

    Wike tackles Buhari, Amaechi, Mohammed

    Rivers State Governor  Nyesom Wike yesterday tackled President Muhammadu Buhari, Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

      He accused the Federal Government of poor governance, nepotism, marginalisation and state-sponsored repression.

    The governor alleged that impunity, political intimidation, economic sabotage, state repression, election rigging and abuse of power were wrongs, not only against Rivers, but wrongs against the country.

    Wike spoke yesterday at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, while opening the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), with the theme: “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy and Business.”

    The conference, which ought to have been hosted by Bauchi State, was chaired by Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua and had in attendance a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Nation, Mr. Victor Ifijeh; and a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; while the keynote speaker was Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene.

    Rivers governor said: “We do believe that these recurrent acts of impunity, political intimidation, economic sabotage, state repression, election rigging and abuse of power are wrongs not only against Rivers State, they are wrongs against the country.

    “We are only pretending we think that all is well with our country. The country is in crisis, as poor governance, nepotism, marginalisation and state-sponsored repression continue to do violence to the nation’s unity and cohesion.

    “At a time as this, the country needs forthright leadership and consensus building to steer the ship of state from the wrong direction it is headed, to safer grounds.

    “Nigerians of goodwill must therefore call the minister of Information to stop stoking the embers of disharmony and divisions in the polity with his irresponsible utterances and wild allegations against members of opposition political parties.

    “Today, the clamour for political restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police and guarantee for free and fair elections have never been this determined across the country and will never go away. It is becoming clearer by the day that to ignore these calls is pretentiously dangerous to the unity and the peaceful co-existence of this country.

    “History teaches us that freedom will never prevail unless those who long for it are willing and ready to insist upon its value and have the courage to speak out against what they know is wrong.”

    Chairman of the occasion, in his remarks, noted that the Rivers governor did something that had not been done in the history of NGE, by hosting the conference back-to-back, stating that making the media one’s friend will not mean that the public office holders and others will not be criticised or condemned when they performed below expectations or messed up.

    Funtua stated that many journalists, like civil servants, had not been paid for many months, because the money is not there, while calling for financial independence of the media, in order to earn the respect of society, noting that Osoba did a lot to keep the media together.

    The NPAN president, while also speaking, stated that as long as online and social media were dominated by fake news, the traditional media will continue to thrive.

    President of NUJ declared that journalists should be able to carve a niche for themselves and stop being beggarly, to be respected.

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in his goodwill message, assured NGE of continuous support of the National Assembly, especially the Senate.

    Bayelsa Information commissioner insisted that Nigeria’s unity was negotiable and called for restructuring, to move forward, while believing in one Nigeria.

    NAWOJ president urged National Assembly to legislate on media salary and to take the issue seriously, while adding that there is need for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

    The keynote speaker declared that NGE members must first get honest and ethical journalism right, before they can balance professionalism, advocacy and business, while maintaining that journalists, especially editors, must free themselves from politicians.

    In her welcome address, Egbemode said: “The Editor in Nigeria gives his heart and soul for years. He works impossible hours and labours under the yoke of deadlines for poor remuneration. Then he wakes up one day and he is out of a job. He has no saving. He is not equipped for anything else outside the newsroom. He is stranded and abandoned by the job he gave everything to. That is why being a veteran journalist is not a title of honour. It is a euphemism for being broke and poor.

    “Ours is a besieged and beleaguered industry. Both the profession and the professionals are not in a good place right now. The recession may be receding in other sectors, but in the media, hardly so. Indeed, our recession predates the nationally recognised one. We have been in a bad place for a long time and right now, we all can feel the ground shift under our shaking legs. We take care of everybody else’s interest. We watch out for everybody and we have always done that for years.

    “This year, it is all about us, our profession, our fate and our economy, as we navigate the testy thirsty waters that threaten to sweep us into a fast-moving current. This ANEC is for us to assess where we are and find a way to safety. “

    The president of NGE also expressed gratitude to Wike and Rivers, for not just hosting the conference back-to-back, but also because the governor accepted to do so with less than six weeks notice.