Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has warned the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff that any involvement in unauthorised or secret meetings would lead to their immediate dismissal.

The governor issued the warning on Thursday shortly after the swearing-in of the SSG, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, and the Chief of Staff, Sunny Ewule, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The oath-taking ceremony was administered by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, who led both officials in taking the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office, after which Governor Fubara delivered his charge.

Fubara stressed that their appointments were a call to service rather than an opportunity for political showmanship or personal ambition.

He emphasised that discipline, loyalty and commitment to the welfare of the people must guide their conduct.

The governor warned that any action capable of embarrassing the government, including participation in unauthorised nocturnal meetings, would not be tolerated. “If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings or similar activities, I will sack you. I am very serious,” he said, adding that peace, progress and prosperity of the state remained his top priorities.

Speaking specifically to Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, Fubara expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on the demanding responsibilities of the SSG’s office.

He noted that the position requires discipline, thoroughness and a strong sense of responsibility, especially in representing the state government with honour.

Fubara also cautioned that any conduct capable of bringing his office or the government into disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions, while expressing optimism that the new appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Following a renewed peace deal with Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Fubara fired Dr Benibo Anabraba whom he appointed SSG shortly after returning to office at the end of emergency rule in the state.

He also relieved Edison Ehie, his long-time ally, as Chief of Staff.

Ehi was the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly when the plot to impeach the governor first occurred in 2023.

He had opposed it and later led a group of four lawmakers to form a factional Assembly, which Fubara worked with until.

He had resigned as a lawmaker after President Bola Tinubu first intervened in the crisis and was later appointed as the Chief of Staff. (Daily Trust)

• Governor Fubara

Boundary commission moves to resolve Edo/Kogi interstate boundary dispute

By OLADAPO UDOM

The National Boundary Commission has reaffirmed key positions that strongly support Edo State’s commitment to the peaceful and lawful resolution of the Edo/Kogi interstate boundary.

This followed a Joint Meeting of Officials held at Lucy Hall, Bon Hotel (Elvis), Wuse II, Abuja.

The meeting, presided over by the Director-General of the Commission, Adamu Adaji, brought together representatives of the affected states and federal technical agencies to review progress.

It also aimed to facilitate the resumption of the stalled boundary monumentation exercise.

This is according to the statement by Dr Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Edo Gov. Monday Okpebholo made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

It said the Edo delegation, led by Dennis Idahosa, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Edo State Boundary Committee, reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful, technically sound, and lawful demarcation of the boundary.

Idahosa noted that the mutually agreed boundary alignment endorsed in 2006 remained a critical milestone and provides a solid legal and technical foundation for concluding the exercise.

He emphasised the urgent need to address factors that previously hindered completion of the monumentation and called for its immediate resumption in the interest of affected communities.

The meeting acknowledged Edo’s constructive engagement and sustained cooperation with federal authorities in advancing the resolution process.

The technical briefings presented at the meeting confirmed among others that the Internal Boundary Technical Committee approved the Edo/Kogi boundary in 2006 using Legal Notice 126 of 1954.

Both states had earlier adopted the mutually agreed boundary alignment.

Idahosa said, “this includes the monumentation commenced in 2007 before being disrupted by community resistance in some sectors.

“These confirmations reinforce Edo’ s long-standing position that the boundary framework already existed and only required completion of the monumentation process.

The resolutions reached at the meeting further strengthened the pathway toward final demarcation.

“Notably this includes that the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission will provide Edo State with large-scale maps of the agreed boundary.

“The Commission will interface with Edo State to make arrangements for the early resumption of monumentation.

“Edo State will undertake targeted enlightenment and sensitization of affected border communities in collaboration with traditional institutions.”

According to him, “federal government and the states will jointly identify pillar sites ahead of full resumption.

“Adequate security will be provided to ensure smooth field operations,” he said. (NAN)