News

Atiku Advocates Two-Party System

Published

13 years ago

September 19, 2012

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar yesterday called for the adoption of a two-party system, saying that it would address some of the political challenges confronting the nation.

Atiku, who spoke at the 2012 Leadership Newspapers Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja, also called for a review of the present federal structure.

He said that the review would give room for the states to be more resourceful and be prepared for the country’s transformation into a great nation.

He said such a review should address issues such as minimum wage, state police, control of resources and institutions, among others.

“Our states and regions have different revenue endowments and varying costs of living.

“So, it will be misguided for labour leaders to think that a uniform wage across the country will be in the interest of the workers.

“Employers, including the state governments that have the capacity to pay more, should be able to do so, and it can spark competition for the best talents and may raise the wage level and the standard of living.

“Minimum wage structure should be set by states and regional governments,’’ he added.

Atiku said that a more active and vibrant judiciary would help the country’s development.

“The judiciary, at all levels, should be made to be more resourceful and result-oriented by reviewing its present structures.’’

He held that the judiciary, as currently constituted, was ineffective and unable to deliver justice at all levels.

The former vice president said that Nigeria would be better off if the review was pursued sincerely and in the interest of national development.

Earlier, the Chairman, Leadership Newspapers, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, said that the awards were in recognition of the efforts of some distinguished Nigerians.

He said the newspaper was out to contribute its quota to encouraging Nigerians in different fields to do more for the development of the nation.

Nda-Isaiah stressed the need for Nigerians, irrespective of their socio-political affiliations, to unite for the growth of the country.

He said that no nation would achieve greatness without unity and peace among its leadership at all levels.

In his comment, Leadership Person of the Year, retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, stressed the need for Nigerians to be united in the interest of national rebirth.

He said the media should lead the campaign for unity, peace and development of the country.

“Journalists must begin to engage in activities that will promote peace and unity and emphasise issues that unite rather than divide Nigerians.”

He also urged youths in the country to re-examine themselves and eschew ventures that would jeopardise their future.

On his philanthropic activities, Danjuma said the yearnings of a community he first visited in 1996 spurred him into providing succour to the less- privileged.

He said the leadership award would motivate him to do more for those in dire need of assistance.

Danjuma called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of helping the less-privileged, saying that much of the country’s problems could be solved if people learned to assist each other.

He stressed the need for individuals to embark on philanthropic activities, saying that government and foreign donors alone could not solve the country’s numerous problems.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said the awards would spur them to greater service, adding that “there is a need for the political class to redefine the concept of leadership.”

“Leadership must promote replicable values and restore hope in our country.

“We must move away from the belief in the end justifying the means,” he said, adding that “we must empower, rather than dis-empower our people and this must not be done in an isolated manner.”

Fayemi was honoured with the Governor of the Year award.

Others include the Politician of the Year award which went to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Business Person of the Year.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.