Rivers State Government to immortalise slain corps member - Wike

Read the press statement below...

Rivers State Government will immortalise Mr Samuel Okonta,  the Corps Member who lost his life during the  rerun  legislative  elections  in  the State,  Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  has  announced. He  also declared  that  the  State Government  will provide  all necessary  assistance  for the police to investigate  the killing of the corps member, with a view to  identifying those responsible  and prosecuting  them.

Speaking  at  the  Rivers State National Youth Service Corps, NYSC,  Headquarters  in  Port Harcourt  on  Wednesday,  Governor  Wike  also announced  an increment  in the  montly allowance  of  corps members  serving  outside  Port Harcourt  from N10, 000 to N15000. He also increased the state monthly allowance of  corps members  serving  in  Port Harcourt  from N5000  to N10000. 

He expressed sadness  that the corps member  died serving the nation. He said that the Rivers  State Government will take care of the family of the late corps member.

Governor Wike  noted that  the death is even more painful  because  the corps member was an orphan who suffered through schooling  and was on the verge of being of help to his immediate  family. 

He said: "The death of this corps member  is unfortunate  and condemnable.  I urge the Police to thoroughly  investigate the crime. The outcome  of  the  investigation  should  be made public so that those involved  are prosecuted. The killing  of  this corps member  must not be  swept under the carpet. 

"I call for post mortem on the corpse of the corps member  so that we can  ascertain  the  type of bullet and type of  gun that killed him. The post mortem will also determine who bears that type of gun that  killed  the corps  member ".

The governor  said  his administration  will also take measures  to improve  security  in the state. He said  that  steps will be taken to ensure  that  the incident  does not reoccur. 

He also commiserated with the Department  of  State Services , over the death of their 

State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali commended the  governor  for commiserating with the NYSC  at its moment  of grief. She appealed  for greater protection  for corps members  during  elections. 

Responding  on behalf  of  the  family,  Alex Edeabeatu  thanked the Governor  for his gesture.  He said  that  the  late corps member was a shining  light.

Simeon Nwakaudu, 

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media. 

23rd March,  2016.