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.