Politics
Govt House In Retrospect (3rd-10th February 2013)
Early last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State returned from a meeting with President Godluck Jonathan in Abuja over the swelling HIV/AIDS spread in some states of the federation.
The meeting is expected to proffer measures on how to curb the scourge ravaging some states in the country of which Rivers State according to statistics is among the top list.
On Tuesday, Rt. Hon. Amaechi flagged-off an Immunisation Plus Programme in Degema Town, headquarters of Degema Local Government Area.
Governor Amaechi, while pledging the state government’s total support to the scheme directed the state Ministry of Health and Primary Health Agency to liase with local councils in order to cover the rural communities in their areas.
He also hinted that the state will push for the independence of the state Primary Health Development Agency. This, he believed, will help drive the health programmes of the administration.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker said though polio cases are rare in the state, efforts should be intensified to ensure that it is fully eradicated since the disease is “ubiquitous.”
On Wednesday, the State Executive Council meeting held and another meeting consisting of Local Government chairmen and top government officials also took place on Thursday.
The meetings it was learnt were organised ahead the visit of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamana Tukur to the state on Friday.
On Friday Governor Amaechi on receiving the National Chairman of the PDP at the Airport took Alhaji Tukur on a tour of projects embarked upon by his administration.
The project tour lasted for two days with visit to Elele/Omerulu/Owerri Road, Rumuosi Power Transmission Station, the new Sports Village at the Greater Port Harcourt City.
Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School at Eleme and the Songhai farm at Tai.
Later on Friday evening, Alhaji Tukur and his entourage were treated to a dinner well attended by party faithful in Government House.
At the dinner, member representing Ahoada-West in Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Asita posited that the PDP family in Rivers State is still intact and growing strong on daily basis.
Asita observed, Rivers State is the best state of the PDP we are all PDP in Rivers State.
Speaking later at the dinner, Governor Amaechi showered praises on the PDP chairman, promising him of the total support of the Governors in the party.
Rivers State Governor submitted that despite the internal wranglings, expressed optimism in the ability of the party coming out victorious considering the strength of the character of the chairman.
“I learn a lot from you,” Amaechi emphasised, “you are one man who have moved from the public sector to private sector.
Before attending the 29th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt Saturday, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur took time to visit the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital at Emenike Street and the Maxillo Dental Hospital at Garrison in Port Harcourt.
Alhaji Tukur spoke to newsmen after touring the first-class medical facility saying Governor Amaechi has laid foundation for the future Rivers State, considering the fact that all sectors have been touched.
“What I have seen today have given me confidence and have given me hope,” Tukur declared.
Governor Amaechi attended the 29th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, where he laid foundation Stone for the Bamanga Tukur School of Business.
The Governor announced the endowment of four professional chairms to immortalise Retired Supreme Court Justice, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte in law, Prof. Tekena Tumuno in History, Prof. Tam David West in Virology and Prof. Tonti Nduka on Education.
He also promised to intervene in finding a lasting solution to the land crisis faced by the university.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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