Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has stated that his administration has no intention, and will never inflict pains on the people of the state.
Governor Fubara explained that rather, he has continued to fight like gallant soldiers would do, to protect the State from enemies who hatch plans and schemes daily to halt governance, create chaos and unending disaffection among the people.
The governor said with determination and unwavering commitment, the administration was addressing itself to fulfilling all obligations of government to the people without pretense.
He stated this on Thursday during the emblem appeal fund launching for the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Fubara also stated that mutual and healthy cooperation have been maintained with the security agencies to guarantee the prevailing peace in the State.
The governor also explained that while the employment of 10,000 persons into the State Civil Service was cancelled, 2,000 professionals have been employed in the health sector, with 1,000 employment slots reviewed upward for the Universal Basic Education and Post-Primary schools.
Fubara further said scholarships have also been awarded to Rivers State youths in PAMO University of Medical Sciences and Wigwe University while the N85, 000 new minimum wage has been implemented for civil servants in the state.
“We have gone past the stage where you just employ 10,000 civil servants. It will not help the growth of this State for now. We are going to the general one later. So, that was the reason why I suspended it, and insisted that employment that should be approved, should be those for professional cadre.
“I can say boldly that we have employed over 2,000 medical doctors. The records are there. We have also employed teachers. At least, for UBE, I have okayed the approval of 1,000, which they did before, and we have also asked them to increase the number, both for the UBE and the Post-Primary Schools Boards.
“On the issue of scholarship, Rivers State Government has not started empowering its scholarship board yet. But there are some scholarships that we have offered. We did so in PAMO University, and we also did so recently in Wigwe University.
“So, if it’s those ones, the Rivers State Government has no hand in the process of selection. You have to pass the exams to be on the list of 100-150.
“Otherwise, be patient, when we start our own internal one; the one that the Scholarship Board will do, maybe, the criteria might be different, and we assure you, more persons will be accommodated,” he said.
The River State governor also launched the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem with N40million on behalf of the state government.
In his speech, Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo acknowledged the sacrifices made by officers, with some of them paying the supreme price, leaving spouses as either widows or widowers and children as orphans.
Danagogo said it is for such survivors and also for those who are still in active peacekeeping activities that the day is dedicated to galvanise financial support for them to cater to their welfare.
