Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has accused opposition in the state of planning a bleak Christmas for the state.
He disclosed that some persons who have decided to be enemies of the State wanted the people to experience a bleak Christmas, but through the ingenuity of his administration in ensuring that the interest of the State comes first, he was able to meet the obligations of government to the people.
This is also coming on the heels of the fact that in previous years there were unseen hands propelling the revenue of the State. Since assumption of office, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara has assiduously focused on ensuring prudent management of the resources such that projects that were commissioned but not paid for by previous administration, have dutifully been paid for to fulfill government’s obligations to the contractors.
Gov. Fubara, who made the disclosure at the 2025 Emblem Appeal Fund Launching held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, November 28, 2024, said the civil servants are happy even in the face of all the propaganda of non release of allocations.
The governor declared that Rivers State is the first, not just in making the promise, but in fulfilling its obligations as the civil servants who were initially collecting N70,000 are today jubilating after collecting N120,000 to N140,000.
Gov. Fubara said what is most paramount to his government is to prioritize the interest of the people, stressing that besides execution of projects, the welfare of the people is fundamental as they will always remember a government that improved their condition for good.
He assured the Legionnaires that the 50 employment slots for their wards are still valid while their children will also be considered when the State’s Scholarship Board is given approval to commence its scholarship programme.
The governor, while evaluating the impact of the yearly donation of N20million to the Legionnaires, noted that the amount is no longer sufficient based on current economic realities and subsequently increased the State’s donation to N40million and urged the leadership of the legion to ensure that substantial amount is dedicated to funding the education of the children of the heroes and heroines as well as the welfare of their dependents.
In his address, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo said the event is in recognition of the sacrifices of the known and unknown soldiers, who paid the supreme price at different battles, the endurance of their widows, widowers and children who have to bear the pain of loss; and the courage and gallantry of veterans who are still alive describing them as the true heroes and heroines of the nation.
According to Dr. Danagogo the occasion is dedicated to raising awareness on the plight of the veterans, the widows, widowers and orphans of the slain as the survivors of wars.
On his part the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Rivers State, Acc Kuu Aminkipo Promise commended the support of Gov. Fubara to the Legion and reminded of the 50 employment slots for the children of legionnaires as promised by the governor as well as scholarship for their wards.
