News

Wike Gifts Odili Mansion On 74th Birthday

Published

3 years ago

August 16, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has gifted a mansion to former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, on the latter’s 74th birthday.

Media aide to the Governor, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, in a statement, said the residence was built and donated to Odili by the Rivers state Government.

According to Ebiri, Wike spoke on Monday during the 74th birthday reception organised to honour the former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, at the private residence built and donated to him by the State government in Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt.

Wike is a political godson to Dr. Odili, who was the state Governor from 1999 to 2007 and is commonly referred to as the golden governor of Nigeria.

Governor Wike was the executive chairman of Obio/Akpor local government Area of the state when Odili held sway as Governor.

Wike had in several fore eulogized Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili (retd) for their role in his political career and success in life.

While further eulogizing the sterling qualities of the ex-governor, Wike said he had been well schooled by Odili in politics, saying his present political ordeals were not surprising.

Although the cost of the multi-million naira was not disclosed, Wike said Odili gave him and others everything and prepared them for the future.

He recalled that when Dr. Peter Odili was to run for the office of the president, he had a large crowd following, happily.

But noted that when the issue of governorship of Rivers State was to be decided, and he did not give those who wanted it, they all left him, ran to Abuja to thwart his presidential ambition.

Governor Wike, however, said he has been holding on to the advice of Dr. Odili. Hence, he was not surprised at the turn of events and the outcome of the PDP presidential primary.

He described Dr. Peter Odili as a true leader of men who groomed many, and supported a lot of persons to political lamplight, particularly in Rivers State and across the country.

The statement by the governor’s spokesman partly read, “There was a time every political class abandoned Dr. Odili. This is a man who gave us everything. Some people called him Mr. Donatus.

“There was no abuse he did not get. Everybody he tried to help their families, at the end of the day, all betrayed him.

“For us, we have used him as a school and we thank him for making himself available for us to use him to learn so that we won’t be shocked of whatever that is going to happened.”

The Governor expressed delight for the opportunity to have known Dr. Odili and be able to celebrate him, pointing to the several support and gains from the political tutelage under Dr. Odili that had made him accomplish his political successes.

He reiterated that the benevolence of the Odili’s made it possible for Ikwerre sons to emerge governors of Rivers State.

In his response, former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili said he and his wife, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (retired) were overwhelmed by the birthday gift courtesy of the State government.

Odili explained that during his tenure as governor, governor Wike was the best performing council chairman in the State.

He lauded Wike for investing in human capacity development, infrastructure, and building the best Law School campus in Port Harcourt.

News

17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

News

FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

News

Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

16 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”