Wike made this remark while speaking on his political experience at the 70th birthday and retirement thanksgiving mass of Justice Mary Odili as Justice of the Supreme Court, held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The Rivers State governor recalled how he cried to Justice Mary Odili when he got hint that his name was not included among those cleared to contest either as first term or second term chairmen of local councils in the state.

According to governor Wike, Justice Mary Odili listened to him, and took the complaint to her husband, Dr Peter Odili, who was the governor of Rivers State then.

Governor Wike explained that the manner Justice Mary Odili presented the matter got her husband acting on it immediately.

He said, first, Dr  Peter Odili invited the then Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party chairman, Uche Secondus, to confirm the observation and thereafter put a call across to the then national secretary of the PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor.

“In 2004, that time her husband was the governor, so she was going to Bori Camp for women empowerment scheme. I was to run for second tenure as chairman of my local government (Obio-Akpor).

“Now, they were having lunch with her husband and the former state party chairman then, Prince Uche Secondus. And, I was told that my name had been removed in the list. So, I ran down to Government House.

“She had finished her own lunch, left her husband and was entering the vehicle. I said mummy I’m finished. She asked what happened? I said they’ve removed my name.

“She ran back straight to her husband and informed him. Her husband asked who removed his name. At that time, Secondus had left. The husband then called the security at the gate, they stopped Secondus and asked him to come back.”

He further added: “That was how I went back as second term chairman. For me, I can’t talk about my growth without mentioning her. If she was not around that day, to see the governor, you know, it is not an easy thing. Her being around that particular day saved my career in politics. And so that was how I grew from there to become what I am today.”

Governor Wike noted a vital lesson of life he learnt from Justice Odili, which is the determination to build the capacity to be successful in one’s career while not ignoring giving requisite attention to the family.

For Justice Mary Odili, governor Wike stated that there was a good balance she maintained that made her to succeed both in her career as a legal practitioner, a mother and wife in the family.

Governor Wike said Justice Mary Odili had remained an embodiment of care and compassion because without relenting she treated everybody with dignity that they deserved.

“I have seen somebody who is very compassionate, and very caring.  The moment you’re around her husband, she takes care of you. She sees you as her husband’s person and so she will always relate with you. Some of us are direct beneficiaries of the care through our relationship with the husband,” he said.

Governor Wike commended Justice Mary Odili for the 44 years of meritorious public service, which he described as no mean feat.

In his homily, the chaplain of the Chaplaincy at CIWA, Very Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii, exhorted on the physical and eternal benefits Christians derive when they love God, one another and their enemies.

Very Rev. Monsignor Kii emphasised that living a life of love demonstrated faithful discipleship, obedience to God and secures daily victory in life’s endeavours.

Giving her speech, Justice Mary Odili described the joy she felt as unspeakable and a thing of honour to have Governor Wike as a sitting governor, doing a vote of thanks in her honour.

According to her, she and her spouse, Dr. Peter Odili had lots of things to always thank God, and would remain grateful to Him because he gave them countless triumphs despite the challenges that they had encountered.

“The good Lord knows that Peter and I don’t know how to properly thank God. Our journey in life has been such that the good Lord has always been there. There has been challenges no doubt, but the good Lord did not  promise us that we will not have challenges, tribulations or difficulties. But the good Lord has always stood by us and made us prevail in all those trials and tribulations.”

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One, according to him, was because their facilities were used to endanger the lives of the citizens and second, for violently attacking and injuring members of the task force enforcing the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Prudent Hotel, Eleme, and another one were destroyed on Sunday following the order of Wike.

The governor gave the explanation in a broadcast he made on the action which has been criticized by the public.

Stating that his action was taken in good faith, Wike said the members of the task force attacked by the hotels were already in the hospital and their fate unknown as at the time he was making the broadcast.

His words: “We acted against the hotelier because, apart from using the facility to jeopardise the lives of our citizens in violation of the extant law, the owner audaciously unleashed thugs led by the Eleme local government youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party and inflicted severe injuries on our task force members who went to enforce the law against the continued operation of the hotel.

“As we speak, nobody knows the fate of the lives of most of the victims of that brazen and deadly attack given the severity of the head injuries they sustained.

“And so, we’ve done no wrong as all our actions were taken in good faith and justified by, under and within the purview of the Executive Orders, which have neither been challenged nor set aside by any competent court of law.

“Therefore, while we welcome genuine criticisms directed towards strengthening our intervention measures, it is no use taking issues with uninformed critics and social media legal practitioners who, blinded and prodded by sheer politics, bias and hatred, have opted to demonise and paint our lawful and responsible actions in bad light.”

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, while inaugurating the academy, also unveiled the ultra-modern football training facility.

This was done in the presence of officials of Real Madrid Football Club and Rivers Government at the occasion.

Makinde, while speaking, said the Academy would groom the next generation of stars.

“This project will allow the early discovery and harnessing of football talents in Rivers.

“There has always been great football talents from Rivers. Great players like Taribo West, George Finidi and Joseph Yobo. This project will create more stars,” he said.

Makinde said sports remained one of the greatest unifying factors in Nigeria, adding that by developing the Real Madrid Academy, the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike was promoting national unity.

He commended Wike for his commitment to the development of Rivers.

In his address, Wike said the unveiling of the Real Madrid Academy was one of the happiest events of his life as it marked the beginning of a new football era.

“Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Today, our dream has come to fruition by the help of God,’’ he said.

The governor said the state government resolved to construct a school and hostel in addition to current facilities at the academy.

Wike said that 70 per cent of the students of the academy would be from Rivers, while other Nigerians would form 30 per cent of the school’s intake.

“The money used to execute this project is from Rivers. Therefore, Rivers money is for Rivers people. Seventy per cent of the students will be indigenes of Rivers, while the remaining 30 per cent will be from other states.

“All Rivers indigenes to be trained in the Academy will school here free of charge,’’ he said.

Wike said the people of Rivers deserved the best, and that was why his administration was committed to initiating and executing quality projects for the people.

Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation for Africa and Middle East, Inigo Vallejo, assured the state government that the club would continue to support the academy’s sustained development.

He said after series of engagement with Wike on the academy, the club had keyed into it and would help drive the project.

Vallejo, who thanked Wike for his commitment to football development, stated that Real Madrid Football Club would provide the necessary technical support to develop the Academy.

Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, also stated that the governor made outstanding contributions to sports development to merit his award “Power of Sports in Africa’’.

In a project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers Ministry of Sports, James Enebeli, said the project marked the opening of a new chapter in football development in the state.

High point of the event included an exhibition match between a selected team and Banham Model Primary School in Port Harcourt, who were winners of Channels Television Kids Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match ended 1-1.

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Wike gave the explanation on Wednesday in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the ultra modern Rumuwoji Market as part of activities marking the first 100 days of his second term in office.

Fayemi is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF.

Wike described Fayemi as a highly focused leader who did not discriminate against members of the opposition party, but saw them as partners in progress.

His words:  “My brother, the Chairman of NGF, Governor  Fayemi, is a great leader. He has never discriminated against opposition parties. He sees everybody as partners in progress.

“He is one of the few leaders who understand that a political party is a vehicle to get into government and that party affiliation should not bring animosity, especially when development is the focus.”

Governor Wike recalled how Governor Fayemi’s  intervention helped to douse the tension that was brewing  over the issue of  mosque demolition in the state earlier in the month.

“He called me when he heard about the development. He came here and intervened in the matter, not minding our political party affiliation. That is leadership. And such a leader should be encouraged,” he added.

Fayemi, in a short remark before commissioning the market complex also hailed his Rivers State counterpart, Wike, for his developmental strides in the state.

He described Wike as a frontline member of the NGF, adding that he was impressed  by the Rivers State governor’s penchant for people-oriented projects,  which he said had earned him the nickname “Mr Project.”

Fayemi who was the special guest of honour at the event, said government was about affecting the lives of the people positively and ensuring that “we fulfil promises made during electioneering period.”

He said his role as NGF chairman was to support, protect and defend members of the forum regardless of party affiliation.

The two governors later led other dignitaries and traders on an inspection of facilities in the ultra modern market.

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Speaking on Saturday when he led the State Security Service Commanders to Kono-Boue and Kereken-Boue Towns in Khana Local Government Area, Governor Wike said that the security agencies had been mobilised to go after the criminal cult members operating in parts of Ogoniland.

He said: “We will do everything possible to make sure that those involved in these criminal cult activities don’t go free.

“You have to cooperate with us to get the killers. Those who have perpetrated these crimes are known to community members. No armed robber operates in a place without local support. Therefore, support us with credible information.

“I feel so sad that these cultists have killed our people and displaced some communities in the area. We have taken measures to restore peace,” he said.

He said that the State Security Council had adopted new strategies to build the security framework in communities troubled by cult members.

He said: “Tell your people to come back. I have come here with the security service Commanders to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to restore peace.

“Over the last few days we have deployed security personnel to the troubled areas. Beginning today, we are going to deploy more security personnel to different Ogoni communities to protect our people.”

Nyesom Wike charged parents to monitor their children.

He said communities must take measures to discourage youths from becoming cult members.

The governor said that the government would support displaced communities and families of victims of the cult-related attacks in Ogoniland.

He assured the leaders of the area that the Rivers State Government would complete the road abandoned by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Nyesom Wike announced that the State Government would build a major Police station in the troubled area to secure the people.

Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Mr Lahteh Loolo, explained that cult members displaced some communities in the area.

He commended the Rivers State Governor for his sustained response which reduced the level of casualties suffered by the communities.

He said that with the new strategies introduced by the Rivers State Governor, the security challenge facing the area would be resolved.

The Traditional Ruler of Kono Boue, Chief Ezekiel Manson, expressed happiness with the intervention of the Rivers State Governor.

He said when the cult members attacked the community, the divisional Police Officer and his personnel responded positively.

He said there were no cult members among those who were killed and displaced in the community.

Source:  NAN

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The arrest came on Friday, barely a day after Wike placed N30 million reward for anyone who had information that could lead to the arrest of Bobrisky.

He was captured by Nigerian Army.

Bobrisky was said to have been fingered as being involved in the death of a Director with the Rivers State Government during the crisis that erupted in Choba.

Described as a notorious cult member, Bobrisky is said to be in Gokana Local Government Area of the Rivers State.

Wike, on Thursday, made the pledge to pay N30 million  when he handed over 40 patrol vans fitted with Communication Gadgets to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), See 4 Eye, Police Anti-Kidnapping, Police Anti-Cultism, Federal Road Safety Corps and Eagle Crime at the Government House Port Harcourt.

Wike also declared that the state government was fully prepared to tackle insecurity and would do everything required to protect lives and property.

He noted that the state government had proscribed all youth groups operating in the state because they had been hijacked by cult members.

“Rivers State Government is fully prepared and will do everything required to protect lives and property. Without the protection of lives and property, there will be no governance and development.

“We are one State that has suffered neglect from the Federal Government in terms of support to fight insecurity.

“They have refused to pay back funds that we used in constructing federal projects. But that will not stop us from intervening when the need arises,” he said.

The governor said that he resolved to increase the support to the security agencies because of the successes recorded by Operation Sting.

He regretted that cult members had taken over youth groups across the state, necessitating the state government proscribing all youth groups.

“Anybody operating under a youth body henceforth will be arrested by security agencies. Before you contest for any youth body’s leadership, you must send the names to the DSS and Police for screening. If they are cultists, we will not allow them to operate,” he said.

The governor warned that the vehicles and gunboats donated to the security agencies must be deployed to secure Rivers State.

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It dismissed the suit filed by Elvis Chinda for his Wike’s disqualification over alleged birth certificate of forgery.

In the suit filed by his lawyer, Mr Achinike William-Wobodo, Chinda said the birth certificate “purportedly deposed to on Oct. 3, 1986 by one Collins Wike from Obio/Okpor Local Government Area of Rivers was forged.”

According to him, Obio/Okpor Local Government Area was not in existence as at 1986, but 1989.

However, ruling on the case, Justice Inyang Ekwo declared that it (the case) was status barred as it was not started within the 14 days period as prescribed by law.

He also described the suit as an abuse of court process since the issue was a subject of appeal pending at the Court of Appeal.

He said the plaintiff had not been able to prove the claim of forgery of certificate of birth against Wike beyond reasonable doubt as was expected.

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The Nigerian Army said it was astonished that a governor could make such a claim to tarnish the reputation of the officer whose main responsibility was to protect lives and property.

It said that the governor was only out to tarnish the image of the officer because he had refused to be compromised.

The remarks by the Nigerian Army was made in a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa.

The statement reads:

REJOINDER ON UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS OF ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION ON GOVERNOR NYESOM WIKE BY GOC 6 DIVISION

1. The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to respond to the bogus and unsubstantiated allegations being peddled by the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike. Some of his rancorous claims were that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham purportedly sent troops to cordon off his residence prior to the rescheduled General Elections on the 15th of February 2019.The Governor further went on to allege an assassination attempt on his life which he claimed was orchestrated by the GOC 6 Division.
2. The NA is appalled that a Governor who should epitomize leadership and good example in all senses could descend so low to employ smear campaign against the person of a GOC whose only responsibility amongst other things, – is about the safety and security of lives and properties in his Area of Responsibility.

The NA does not train assassins as such the institution or her personnel cannot be involved in sending assassins to murder a state Governor as alleged by Gov Nyesom Wike.

It is indeed no secret to the military authorities that Governor Wike has on various occasions made attempts to compromise the integrity of the GOC 6 Division. Having failed, despites series of overtures and monetary pledges of millions of dollars, both in person and from cronies, it is no surprise that the frustrated Governor has resorted to this appalling campaign of calumny. One would have thought that the resolute and uncompromising stance of Maj Gen Jamil Sarham in the face of several kinds of mouth-watering inducements would have earned him a commendation from any conscientious leader. Alas, this was not the case from the embittered governor of Rivers State but rather, these slanderous allegations.

Despite these unsubstantiated ramblings however, the NA has deemed it fit to clear the air by letting Governor Wike and the general public at large, know that it would not be dragged into any form of political gerrymandering concocted for the furtherance of any person’s interest or notoriety.

As a noble institution, the NA is apolitical, neutral and would not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise. Additionally, the NA would like to give Governor Wike the benefit of doubt, to within 7 days, bring forth evidence that can substantiate the bogus claims, or he could as well, save face and keep his peace.

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He was whisked away by some unknown gunmen said to be in military uniform.

The Police Command in the state confirmed the incident on Friday in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni.

The police said Anuoha was kidnapped on Thursday at about 8:30 pm at a hotel in Port Harcourt.

The police however said they will do everything possible to ensure the release of the governor’s special adviser.

Said Omoni:  “This is unfortunate and as a command we are touched by this development and will go all out to ensure his speedy and timely release.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP) has given a marching order to all the Tactical Units, including the IGP Monitoring Unit, to work round the clock and ensure that the victim is released in record time.

“Contacts have been made with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in this direction.”

While assuring the public that it would continue to ensure peace in the state, the police called on the people of the state to help with any useful information that could lead to the rescue of the governor’s aide.

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