Headline

Governor Wike Meets Igbo Leaders ” I can Never Kill or Fight Igbos”

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2020

Editor

By Michael Effiong

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has stated that he will be the last person to kill igbos or fight against their interest.

Governor David Umahi, former Governor Peter Odili with Chief Nnia Nwodo

Speaking at an interactive session with Igbo Community in Rivers State at the Government House auditorium, Governor Wike stated emphatically ” I will never kill Igbos, why would I kill Igbos,? How can people believe that I can send the same soldiers who were brought here to rig the election against me to go and kill igbos, it is fake news. I have no control over the military.

Governor Wike delivering his speech

“What happened was that Rivers State has been very peaceful and suddenly overnight, we woke up to hear that some people had killed six soldiers and two policemen.

“And to show you that the people who did these things are criminals, one of the Policemen killed was Igbo. So does that make sense?

Cross section of Community leaders

Governor Wike said the he would not wage war on Oyigbo Local Government, which is the LG of his Party Chairman, or fight Igbos.

He said he appreciated the support of the Igbo Community and that was the reason he appointed an Igbo Commissioner in his first and second terms.

” A commissioner sits on the highest table in the state which is the Exco, he is aware of any key decision of the state.So Igbos are well represented in my government, what is being said is far from the truth.

Governor Wike said that he was willing to listen to any complaints against him or the government but will not condone criminality.

The event which was attended by Governors David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia as well as Deputy Governor of Anambra, representative of Imo Governor and prominent leaders like President-General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Mrs Josephine Anenih also had leading lights of the Igbo Community in Rivers in attendance.

Amanayabo of Opobo

Mr Olaka Nworgu ( left)

The representatives of the Igbo Community who spoke, heaped praise on Governor Wike for his wide spread infrastructural development in the state, noting that he has created an enabling environment for Igbo businesses and families to thrive.

In his own remarks, Governor David Umahi said the visit was not at the instance of Governor Wike but was initiated by the South East leaders to find out the truth.

He said he was elated that the Community leaders have affirmed that the Rivers Governor and the people have not been antagonistic to Igbos.

Michael Effiong, Editor, Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation International with Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government

He then appealed to the Igbo Community not to abuse the hospitality of their host communities, urging them to be law-abiding.

Also speaking, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated that it will be unfortunate if the Igbos wage war in Rivers, because that will be waging war on itself.

In his speech, Chief Nwodo said that as someone who not only witnessed the civil war but was an officer, there was nothing good about war, he urged the Igbo Community in Rivers State to seek peace.

On her part, Mrs Josephine Anenih appealed to the women to ensure they put their children in check and train them to desist from nefarious activities since they will be the hardest hit if anything goes wrong in the community.

The session was rounded off by former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili who called on all to join hands to move the state forward.

Headline

Bribery, Corruption: APC Suspends National Chairman, Ganduje

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2024

Eric

The All Progressives Congress ward in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The party ward legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen in Kano State on Monday.

Gwanzo cited allegations of bribery against Ganduje levelled by the Kano State Government as the reason for the suspension.

“We decided to suspend Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo said.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Mr Edwin Olufo, failed as his mobile phone was unreachable.

Headline

Akpabio Commits to Collaboration with Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno

Published

5 days ago

April 12, 2024

Admin

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated his commitment to working closely with Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Umo Eno to ensure the delivery of democratic benefits to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio stated this in his country home, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, while briefing his constituents on the journey so far as their representative in the red chamber.

He assured the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District of his commitment to their welfare in appreciation of their total support for him, President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election.

The Highpoint of the constituency briefing was the distribution of over 10,000 bags of rice and other essentials for his constituents from the wards, to the local governments.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I am here once again, to thank you for standing by me, our President and the party, before, during and even after last year’s elections. I have come to say thank you and also bring Renewed Hope to you all.

“As the President is doing his own, the Senate President is also doing his bit and being complemented by the state governor, Akwa Ibom would be the better for it. We have finished elections and politics, we are now into governance. The governor of the state must touch you, because he is the governor of all the people in the state irrespective of political affiliation.

” As I am touching you now from the political angle, I will also touch the state without any political party affiliation. Most of the projects we are putting in place would be used by people resident in the state. Relax, things are getting better.”

The former Governor of the state, assured his constituents that his current position as the Senate President would be used for the development of the state in collaboration with the President and the Akwa Ibom State Governor.

Hear him: This Senate President is not the one that would be fighting the state government. I will collaborate with , I will collaborate with , to make the state better for us all. We cannot be out of government for a long time. You have to go to a government that carries you along”

Akpabio promised to work for his constituents and Nigeria with all his strength, noting that, “as the President of the Senate, I am for the Southern region and the entire country. I may not come here regularly to tell you what I have been doing for you, but you will be feeling the impact on way or the other. Our unemployed youths would be gainfully employed. I will construct a mini stadium in all the local governments in the district, for our youths to develop their sporting potentials. ”

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government Invests N112 Billion in Road Infrastructure Projects

Published

6 days ago

April 11, 2024

Admin

…DAKKADA OIL PALM FACTORY COMMENCES MILLING SOON

“Since May 2023, Akwa Ibom State Government Invests N112 Billion in Road Infrastructure”

Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga disclosed this when he presented a breakdown at the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo.

He revealed that 39 new road projects have been undertaken with N78.77 billion released to fund them, while old projects have been funded to the tune of over N30 Billion, with an additional N12 Billion recently released by the Governor.

Details of the Exco meeting were made public by the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong.

The Executive Council also approved the increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.

Following the ongoing harvesting of fruits, milling will soon commence at the Dakkada Global Oil Palms.

The Managing Director of the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob announced this during his presentation at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno.

Two projects executed through the Direct Labour Agency have been completed with 19 other ones ongoing.

The Director of Operations of the Agency, presented a status update on the projects under their supervision, also disclosed that 31 of the 100 initial ARISE Compassionate Homes will be completed and presented soon.

The Council was also briefed on the progress at Ibom LED, where 800 people have been trained and N400m has been approved to fund the grant of N500,000 to each of the participants, which will soon be done.

The Governor charged all the Executive Council members to ensure that all the projects and programmes under their supervision are people-centric from ideation to execution. He advised that project monitoring should be ramped up to ensure quick completion.

Major Highlights of the meeting are as follows:

√Status update on Food sufficiency received; proposal on increased cocoa, rice production & Ibom Model Farm submitted by HC for Agriculture & Rural Development

√Presentation of proposal by MD, AKICORP on Ibom Towers, FalconNext, Landmark Beach Resort.

√Dakkada Global Oil Palms Ltd ready to commence milling of ongoing harvested fruits

√Confirmation of N400m disbursed at N500,000 each to 800 IBOM-LED trainees in two batches

√Briefing by HC Works & Fire Service on N112 billion disbursed by the Governor for road infrastructure since May 2023, with 39 new road projects receiving N78.77 billion & N30 Billion for old projects, with additional release of N12 Billion

√Presentation by HC Culture & Tourism on tourism blueprint for proposed development of Tourism hubs at Ikot Abasi, Itu, and Oron

√ Two projects ready, 19 ongoing through Direct Labour Agency on 1 Project per Local Government Area; 31 ARISE Compassionate Homes nearly completed

√Approval for increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.