Rampaging Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has sacked Sunny Okere, Permanent Secretary in Rivers State for participating in a burial ceremony with more than 50 persons in attendance. Wike is very strict with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) protocol in the state and the action of the scribe is in contravention to the state government’s protocol on funerals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Okere, Permanent Secretary, Establishment, was reported to have incurred the wrath of Wike, and was immediately relieved of his duties, according to a statement on Wednesday. This was contained in a statement by Paulinus Nsirim, the Commissioner for Information and Communication.
He said, “In the face of increasing infections and systemic risk to public health and safety, most residents have continued to disregard the mitigating protocols with reckless abandon. Public and private transporters, business owners and churches are refusing to adhere to the relevant protocols.
“Burial ceremonies are also reportedly being conducted in clear breach of the 50 persons maximum attendance limit such that a serving Permanent Secretary had the temerity to chase away officials of the State Ministry of Health who went to enforce the established guidelines on public burials at Oyigbo.
“Consequently, the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Mr Sunny Okere has been relieved of his appointment with immediate effect for flouting and obstructing the enforcement of the guidelines on public burials. This should serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible,” the statement affirmed.
