Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has warned that he will surprise those who see his sincere determination to implement the presidential peace accord as a show of weakness.
Fubara stated that he had received numerous comments in the media regarding the implementation of the peace initiative and had opted to remain silent out of maturity and wisdom.
However, the governor stated that it was critical to correct the record for clarity and that accepting President Bola Tinubu’s involvement and accompanying agreement was a political solution.
This was said in a statement published on Wednesday in Port Harcourt by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, and made available to journalists.
Fubara stated that he has since begun implementing the deal out of respect for Tinubu, rather than as a sign of weakness, as some political actors believe.
The governor said, “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear state is somebody who has respect for an elder. Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja and came up with a resolution that we should go and implement. I am implementing that resolution. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.
”I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr. President. But, let me say here, if that action that I have accepted to take is seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”
Fubara, who received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees from Rivers State’s 23 Local Government Areas on a solidarity rally at Government House Gate in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said their large number demonstrates the nature of the state’s people’s continued support for his administration.
“Some days ago, somebody said we were busy renting a crowd for Thanksgiving. But what I have seen here today is not different from what is happening at those Thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance,” he added.
Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, saying, “It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society.”
The governor urged the people to continue to support his administration, to be understanding of the decisions taken, and to follow the regulations peacefully.
He said, “When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half, is going to intimidate you. Brace up. I say brace up because the next step will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”
Fubara stated that local government workers had begun receiving the N30,000.00 minimum wage, with a promotion set to commence with the April salary payment.
He also committed to putting preparations in place to establish the processes for implementing the Consolidated Salary Scale for Grade Level 17 and to pay benefits to local government retirees regularly.
“For our people, the great and wonderful people of Rivers State, we will continue to lead you with the fear of God.
“Maturity is not about age. Maturity is in the person. It is what defines the character of a person. I chose not to respond to people that I assumed were mature but were immature in attitude.
“I will continue to be mature, not minding my age, but I will not, for any reason, allow myself or anybody who is working with me in this administration to be messed with, maltreated, or abused in the cause of administering this governance,” the governor added.
Clifford Paul, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, reminded the governor during his speech that they came on a thank-you rally to express their gratitude for his love for the workers.
Paul added that Fubara altered their fortunes and instilled hope in them by directing the payment of the N30,000.00 minimum wage to the workers and lifting the eight-year ban on advancement, putting them on pace with their peers across the country.
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![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
