Economy
Emergency Rule Saved Rivers, Fubara Orchestrated All Crises, Ex-Head Of Service Reveals
Emergency Rule Saved Rivers, Fubara Orchestrated All Crises, Ex-Head Of Service Reveals
Emergency rule saved Rivers, Fubara orchestrated all crises, Ex-head of service reveals. The immediate-past Head of the Civil Service in Rivers State, Dr. George Nweke, has revealed that the decision of President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency saved the people of the State from anarchy.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Friday, Nweke revealed that the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara was behind the crisis in the State by orchestrating destruction of public buildings and other sinister motives.
He, however, noted that he was neither sacked nor was pressured to resign as Head of Service of Rivers State.
He thanked Tinubu for his swift intervention in the state’a political crisis, especially on the declaration of emergency rule in the State, which has been ratified by the National Assembly.
The former Head of Service said: “My dear People of Rivers state, it is with humility and every sense of responsibility that I stand to address you today as your former Head of Service.
“You would recall that I was appointed as the Head of Service by our suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate him for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Head of Service.
With the loads of misinformation on print and electronic media, I have chosen to put the record straight, I was not sacked neither was I pressured to resign, I did it willingly from the depth of my heart.
“However as an insider and a key player in this administration by my position, who worked closely with Siminalayi Fubara, it will be unfair for me to keep silent or not to address some key factors that has affected or will affect our state if we continue on this trajectory.
“I want to use this medium to thank Mr. President for a swift intervention in Rivers State crisis, especially on the state of emergency that was declared and assented to by the National Assembly.
“You will recall that when the governor was suspended, as the Head of Service, I was the next in command, so I am not speaking from outside, I am speaking as an insider.
If not for the intervention of Mr. President, Nigeria would have faced the worst economic sabotage and Rivers State would have been up in flames.
“First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly where the Governor, Siminilayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly in a way to avert his impeachment, that evening Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside.
I want to tell Rivers people today that the House of Assembly complex in Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminilayi Fubara, I challenge him to an open confrontation and I will throw more light on it.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor and he knew that I am aware of the whole plan and that I am discomforted with the unconscionable act and deliberate posture of innocence and mien of a sheep.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members if not for the press conference that was made there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I came to realise that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because after some weeks, he personally told me that if he knew early he would have gone to pull down their hall before visiting the residential quarters of the Assembly and that he didn’t actually know that they had such a beautiful hall were they are using now for their sitting.
“I was shocked and I asked myself how could a man that wants to lead his people be destroying his state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight.
Emergency Rule Saved Rivers
“Thirdly, I want to advise some key stakeholders who have condemned the state of emergency made by the President and confirmed by the National Assembly to retract their statements, I also understand that they are only seeing the surface.
“If the President did not take proactive step, no one knows who would have been affected by the sinister plans that were cooking.
While I thank Mr. President for the state of emergency that was declared in Rivers State for a period of six months, I will plead with him not to give up on Rivers State affairs because a lot are going on there with Governor Fubara.
“One of the factors that got me removed was when Governor Fubara told me that they will use the Ijaws to decide who will become the next president of Nigeria and I asked him how will that work?
“Is it by votes or by what means? He clearly told me that he is the chief security officer of Rivers State and his brother is in charge of Bayelsa State and all the pipelines are under their care, that at the appropriate time they will tell the boys what to do and fund was not an issue.
“That was why when he made that statement in his public function that ‘I will tell the boys what to do at the appropriate time’, I knew something was up and perhaps the time was near.”
Bauchi Government, UNICEF Sign Agreement To Boost Child Welfare
Bauchi government, UNICEF sign agreement to boost child welfare. She emphasised the need for continued support and cooperation from stakeholders.
The Bauchi State government, through the ministry of budget, economic planning, and multilateral coordination, has officially signed the 2025 work plan agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The agreement aims to improve the lives of the state’s citizens, particularly children.
The signing of the 2025 workplan marks a formal commitment between the State and UNICEF to achieve shared objectives for sustainable development, ensuring a more productive and impactful year ahead.
Nuzhat Rafique, chief of field office for UNICEF Bauchi, spoke at the signing ceremony in Bauchi on Wednesday.
She explained that the agreement was aimed at enhancing development initiatives across critical sectors in the state.
UNICEF
“The work plan was developed in collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies, and stakeholders.
“The focus areas include health, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, and societal and behavioural change,” Ms Rafique said.
She emphasised the need for continued support and cooperation from stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the outlined activities.
Amina Katagum, commissioner for budget, economic planning, and multilateral coordination, expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s technical and financial support, particularly for child-focused programmes.
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting UNICEF initiatives, aiming to improve programme efficiency and address identified gaps.
NEITI Urges New NNPC Boss On Transparency, Accountability
NEITI urges new NNPC boss on transparency, accountability. Mr Tinubu removed all the board members appointed with Messrs Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has urged Bayo Ojulari, the new group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), to strengthen reforms, transparency and accountability.
NEITI urged the new leadership to prioritise timely publication of the company’s financial statements, full disclosure of production data, operational costs, and revenue remittances to help rebuild public trust and enhance Nigeria’s global reputation.
The executive secretary of NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made the call on Wednesday while congratulating Mr Ojulari on his appointment.
President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday reconstituted the board of the NNPC Ltd., removing the chairman, Pius Akinyelure and the Group CEO, Mele Kyari.
Mr Tinubu removed all the board members appointed with Messrs Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
The new 11-man board has MrOjulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman.
Mr Orji, while reacting, said that Mr Ojulari’s appointment came at a critical time when the ongoing NNPC Ltd’s reforms required renewed commitment, strategic leadership, and a firm dedication to transparency, accountability and corporate governance.
“NEITI recognised that NNPC Ltd., as Nigeria’s foremost national energy company, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the country’s oil and gas sector.
“As a member of the NEITI National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) and a key institution in Nigeria’s extractive industry, NNPC Ltd. is responsible to ensure that the reforms initiated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are strengthened, broadened, and sustained in the public interest.
“As a Supporting Company of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), NNPC Ltd.
must demonstrate unwavering commitment to openness, systematic disclosure of critical industry data, responsible resource management and corporate governance best practices,” he said.
He urged the new leadership to prioritise timely publication of NNPC’s financial statements, full disclosure of production data, operational costs, and revenue remittances to help rebuild public trust and enhance Nigeria’s global reputation.
According to him, transparency in the management of oil and gas revenues remains critical to national development and ongoing poverty reduction efforts.
He said the EITI process provided a tested framework for ensuring that revenues from natural resources were prudently managed, fully accounted for, and efficiently deployed to address Nigeria’s development needs.
NNPCL
“We look forward to working closely with the new GCEO and his team in deepening the NEITI-EITI process in Nigeria and ensuring that NNPC Ltd. continues to align with international best practices in corporate governance and financial transparency.
“NEITI also congratulates the newly reconstituted NNPC Ltd. Board and charges them to provide forward-looking strategic direction to fast-track the ongoing transformation of NNPC Ltd. in line with the PIA.
“The Board’s role in ensuring that NNPCL remains accountable to its shareholders—the Nigerian people—is crucial to the long-term sustainability of the company and the industry at large,”.
Mr Orji thanked the Kyari team for their dedication, hard work, mutual respect, patience, and collaboration with NEITI over the past six years.
“His tenure was marked by significant engagements with NEITI in advancing corporate transparency, public disclosures, and aligning NNPC Ltd. with the global EITI framework,” he said.
Surgeon Called For Early Medical Intervention To Prevent Complications
Surgeon called for early medical intervention to prevent complications. He called on the government to improve health facilities to prevent citizens from seeking treatment abroad.
Aconsultant surgeon, Jacob Akoh, has advised patients to seek immediate medical help when diagnosed with any illness to prevent termination.
Mr Akoh gave the advice at the Bingham University’s 2nd public lecture, held at the university’s campus in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.
The theme of the lecture is “Beyond The Operating Room: Reflections of a Surgical Career and Life of Purpose.”
As the guest lecturer and a retired Associate Professor in Europe, Mr Akoh emphasised that early medical intervention was crucial in effectively treating illnesses.
He urged people not to shy away from seeking help when faced with any symptoms, as neglecting health problems could lead to fatal consequences.
“No sickness should be taken for granted; it must be treated immediately,” Mr Akoh stated.
He also dispelled the belief that strange symptoms or illness were merely spiritual attacks, urging individuals to seek proper medical care instead of self-diagnosing or hiding symptoms.
Mr Akoh explained that the lecture was aimed at educating people, particularly in communities, on how to address health challenges and not neglect them.
He emphasised the importance of valuing one’s life and taking responsibility for seeking medical assistance when needed.
He also addressed concerns about the state of the healthcare sector in Nigeria, noting that it was underdeveloped compared to the Western world, in spite of its critical importance.
He called on the government to improve health facilities to prevent citizens from seeking treatment abroad, which negatively impacted the country’s healthcare system.
Mr Akoh shared some of his career successes, including performing multiple kidney transplants in one day, with all surgeries being successful.
However, he also highlighted challenges faced by surgeons, such as patients failing to provide accurate medical records, which could hinder effective treatment.
Surgeon Called For Early Medical Intervention
He urged patients to always provide precise health information to healthcare providers to ensure proper care and fulfilment in medical practice.
Additionally, Mr Akoh reminded medical practitioners to be mindful of their career purpose, stressing the need for active involvement in community health development.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Haruna Ayuba, commended Akoh for his enlightening lecture.
He acknowledged that although Akoh had spent more than 35 years as a surgeon in Europe, he returned to Nigeria to make a positive impact on society.
Mr Ayuba encouraged scholars and professionals to focus on the purpose of their careers, as it drives passion, motivation during challenges, and inspires excellence.
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