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How We Discovered Rivers’ Aircraft Secretly Abandoned In Germany – Wike

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Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said the Rivers State government has through intelligence discovered one of the State owned Legacy 600 aircraft, that was flown to and abandoned in Germany since 2012 by the Governor Chibuike Amaechi led administration.

The governor, in a statement by his Media Aide Mr Kelvin Ebiri said it was unconscionable for the immediate past administration to have surreptitiously taken a state owned asset to Germany and abandon same there, without any documentation.

Governor Wike, who led a delegation of Rivers leaders to General Atomics Aerotec in Munich, Germany, where the aircraft had been abandoned for ten years, said efforts to repair and retrieve the aircraft has costed the State government over Three Million Euros.

Speaking during a meeting with the General Manager, Business Development, General Atomics Aerotec, Markus Froetschi, Governor Wike explained that his administration in a bid to recover State assets, had through intelligence discovered that the Legacy 600 jet purchased by the Dr Peter Odili’s administration was in Germany.

“When we came into office in 2015, we never had an idea that our plane was in your facility. It was a matter of asking questions before we got the information that Legacy 600 belonging to our State is in RUAG, before General Atomics. We tried to make contact with you and which you obliged. So, we want to sincerely thank you for not hiding anything from us, because it is the property of the State government.

“This plane was bought in 2003 by the government of Dr Peter Odili, and by 2007 he had handed over to the next government which was my predecessor’s, now, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. While he was in office, by 2012 this plane was brought here. Reasons we do not know.”

Governor Wike said there does not exist any document indicating that the State owned aircraft was flown to Germany and abandoned for inexplicable reasons.

“The issue is, why was there no documentation to let the incoming government to know that we have this facility and we sent it to RUAG for inspection. Again, I do know from experience that inspection of such facility does not take more than six months. So, if it was brought in 2012, expectantly at least, by early 2013, the plane ought to have come back for use.”

Governor Wike, said he had to travel to Munich, Germany with a state delegation to prove that the Legacy 600 aircraft has been discovered and about to be returned to the State government.

Those on the governor’s entourage included, the Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison; Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor; member of House of Representatives, Hon. Ken Chikere; Rivers State chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Desmond Akawor; Chairman, Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike among others.

The General Manager, Business Development, General Atomics Aerotec, Markus Froetschi, said the aircraft was brought to Germany by the immediate past administration and abandoned since 2012.

He expressed delight that Governor Wike took the initiative to repair and return the aircraft to Nigeria for use by the State government. According to him, his company will be done with general maintenance work and deliver the aircraft to the State government by March.

The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, said he was elated that the aircraft has been recovered by the State government. According to him, State lawmakers will continue to support every effort to recover all government assets and property.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ehie Ogerenye Edison, described the abandonment of the aircraft in Germany as administrative recklessness.

“We are surprised that this is more than seven years that the aircraft has been here. Their intention we cannot say for such, but it shows administrative recklessness, and worst of all, there is no proper documentation to show Rivers government as at then, meant well for Rivers people.”

Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike, said considering the brazen matter at which the immediate past administration sold state valuable assets to their cronies, it was obvious that the Legacy 600 was surreptitiously flown to Germany to be converted to personal use.

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State Coordinator Of Actualization Group Felicitates With Gov Fintiri Over 2nd Term Inauguration

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The State Coordinator of Actualisation Group, a non governmental organisation in Adamawa, Ya’u Alh Umar Babayi has congratulated Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri over his second term inauguration.

According to a statement made available to this platform, Babayi described the second term inauguration as a success to the people of Adamawa State.

The Coordinator who is the former Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) noted that the re-election of Governor Fintiri was indeed a testament of his dogged efforts towards developing the state to greater heights.

He thanked Governor Fintiri for giving him the opportunity to serve under his administration.

Babayi added that Governor Fintiri has performed beyond expectations in his first tenue especially in the areas of road network, health, education and agriculture among other sectors in Gombi and other local government areas across the state.

He affirmed that the victory of Governor Fintiri at the polls, was no doubt a major pointer that politics is all about being trusted by the people.

The former SA prayed to Allah to grant Governor Fintiri the wisdom to pilot the affairs of Adamawa state for the next four years successfully.

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Adamawa NUJ Congratulates Fintiri Over Successful Second Term Inauguration

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By Muhammad B. Muhammad

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Adamawa State Council has congratulated Governor Fintiri over his second term inauguration in office.

This is contained in a statement released by Secretary of the Council, Comrade Fidelis Jockthan and made available to this platform.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) Adamawa State council has congratulated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State,Rt.Hon.Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (CON)and his Deputy , Her Excellency, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta over the successful inauguration for the second term in office.

“Indeed, the tumultuous crowd that besiege Mahmud Ribadu square Yola for the event was a reflection of unprecedented love for the Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

“As his excellency steers the leadership of the state again, the NUJ heartedly commends Fintiri’s tremendous achievements during his first four Years in office through his urban and rural transformation, Health care, Security and empowerment among others, which earned him a well deserved prestigious Award of a National Honour of Commander of the Niger(CON) by the Immidiete Past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

“While the union pledged it’s total support and commitment to the Governor,it urged him to sustain the tempo in consolidating on the gains of the previous tenure.

“The NUJ prayed for His Excellency’s God protection and a flourishing administration,” the statement said.

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Mubi South LG Councillors Withdraw Suspension On Council Chair

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Nine (9) Councillors of Mubi South Local Government Area, Adamawa State have withdrawn the suspension of the Chairman of the LGC, Hon. Hamidu Adamu Jingi(Dirbishi).

Aside the the unanimous withdrawal of the suspension, the affected Councillors, who represent various political wards, apologised to the Chairman as well as their electorate for their action.

The councillors included that of Mugulbu, Nduku, Dirbishi, Duvu, Gude, Lamorde, Kwaja, Muzara and Nasarawo, said that they had jumped some steps during the suspension of Hon. Dirbishi.

The councillors announced the withdrawal of the suspension while addressing newsmen at the press center of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Yola on Monday.

The spokesman of the delegation who is also the Chief Whip, Hon. Aminu Sa’adu (aka Mo-Allahyidi), disclosed that the suspension of the Chairman was in outright violation of Local Government Administration Law as well as the 1999 Constitution.

Hon. Aminu who is the Councillor representing Lamorde Ward, told newsmen said that they were summoned by the State House of Assembly after the suspension where they were shown some steps they had jumped.

“Today, we are here to clarify some issues. If you could recall, we impeached the Chairman of the Council last week, based on the allegations against him”. He explained .

He stated thus:” After the incident ,we were summoned by the State House of Assembly where our votes and proceedings were collacted. During our meeting, we were told that there are some steps which we jumped during the impeachment”.

“As law abiding citizens, nine (9) out of ten (10) us sat down and agreed to withdraw the suspension in the interest of our LGA and for peace to rain and at the same time apologise for our action”. He added.

He said that they have no intention whatsoever to go back and continue with the process, saying that they are ready for peace, and that the Chairman of the LGC has promised to do the needful.

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