Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara yesterday recounted how his enemies piled pressures on the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to dump him.Fubara spoke on the lingering political crisis in the state at the Special Thanksgiving Service organised in honour of Danagogo at the St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral in Abonnema Town, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.The service was organised over the conferment of the Tubofiya III Chieftaincy Stool on Danagogo as the head of Da Tubofia Group of Houses and for his reappointment as the SSG......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Danagogo was a friend to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Abuja Nyesom Wike throughout his eight-year tenure as Rivers’ governor.Though Danagogo held no portfolio, he was always in Wike’s company and was popularly called a ‘friend of the governor’.
Wike appointed him the SSG during his second term in office, a position he held till the end of Wike’s tenure on May 29, last year.
Danagogo refused to quit Fubara’s administration when Wike’s loyalists resigned their appointments. He insisted on working with the incumbent, a decision that earned him his reappointment as the SSG.At the thanksgiving yesterday, Fubara said his enemy camp failed in the bid to compel and compromise the SSG to abandon his government.Describing Danagogo as a dependable ally, Fubara said it took a man, who believed in something to resist the kind of temptation that came the way of his SSG.
Fubara also said his style of governance placed emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness through creating a conducive internal work environment to enable members of cabinet function maximally.The governor acknowledged that greater productivity he desired could not be achieved in a toxic workplace of tension, anxiety and fear.Addressing Danagogo, he said: “He is telling you the story of how he was re-appointed. I don’t know why he didn’t add the story that he was also compelled, given ultimatum, to resign.
“It takes a man who believes in something; it takes a man who is honourable and has integrity to stand by you. I want to say that this administration that I am leading will stand by you.“You don’t need to worry about the Blood Pressure (BP) drugs again because I don’t intend to give anyone BP. There is no commissioner here that has BP. Before, you people used to have BP, but now, there is no BP.“There is no permanent secretary that was always lying in the hospital and is still lying in hospital now because there is no BP.
“For the fact that I won’t give you stress, even if I have to correct you, I will correct you with love, understanding that you are human beings.“And when this is the relationship, you see efficiency and effectiveness, and you see how government is moving forward. That is what we do, and that is the secret of the improved health of my SSG, and the wife is no longer reminding him whether he has taken his drugs.”He charged traditional rulers in the area to continue to support activities of government, foster peace and unity in their domain.
Fubara donated N50 million to St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral as support of the state government to advance the work of evangelism of the Church.Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan described Danagogo as a diligent, quiet, result-oriented public officer who served deservedly as Minister of Sports in the administration of her husband.He urged him to continue to exhibit excellence as he serves as SSG, and ensure that he does not disappoint those who trust in his loyalty and capacity.
Danagogo said without lobbying and scheming, God granted him favour to be re-appointed as SSG by Fubara, while his family found him suitable to be installed as their traditional ruler, and consequently the head of the Da Tubofiya Group of Houses.He described working with Fubara as a life-changing experience in a none toxic work environment that had reduced his intake of his BP drugs, and expressed gratitude to God for giving Rivers State such a humble, simple and caring Governor.The SSG also narrated how the lot fell on him to be elected unanimously as chief charged with the onerous task of providing traditional leadership to his people, even as the least of the sons in the family.
At the thanksgiving were Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie; former Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Senators Lee Maeba, John Azuta Mbata, and Adawari M. Pepple; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; and former transport minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo among others.
