Rivers State Government to immortalise slain NYSC member says Wike

Read the press report 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  monthly 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.