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‘We’ll Host Best NBA Confab’ …Wike Harps On Cashless Economy To Check Crime …Tasks Govt On Anti-Poor Policies
L-R: Representative of the Swiss Embassy, Dr Daniel Cavegn, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Training and Development), Mr Olufemi Adenaike, and Commandant, Police College, Kaduna, CPJimoh Ozi-Obeh, at the Nigeria Police Force Human Rights Training Programme in Kaduna, recently
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the state will host one of the best Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conferences come August this year.
He gave the hint while playing host to the African Bar Association (ABA) in Government House, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Aside the NBA conference, the governor said the state is geared to host other national events such as the Peoples Democratic Party Convention billed for May, Federal High Court legal year, and Nigerian Magistrates’ Conference, among others.
He opined that hosting this string of national events is an indication that the state is peaceful as against the media propaganda by the opposition to paint the state in bad light.
Wike submitted that the stability and peace being enjoyed in the state judiciary has been consolidated with the emergence of substantive chief judge and president of Customary Court of Appeal.
Assuring the African Bar Association that the financial autonomy granted the judiciary will be sustained as that is the only way to promote impartial adjudication of cases the governor declared, “We will always support the promotion of the rule of law. This is because the existence of the rule of law promotes peace and development”.
Meanwhile, the African Bar Association has conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike the life membership of its council for reviving and stabilising the state judiciary.
The conferment of the life membership of the African Bar Association Council on the governor was conveyed via a letter presented to him by the President of the African Bar Association, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo during a courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Uwaifo said that the African Bar Association considers the development actions of Governor Wike worthy of commendation as he has proved to be a good ambassador of the legal profession.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy will go a long way to check crime within the state if implemented.
He made the assertion during a courtesy visit by the new Controller of Port Harcourt branch of the CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He told the Port Harcourt CBN branch controller that, “we will help you sensitize the people on the importance of the cash less policy”.
Wike while lauding the CBN for also introducing the Bank Verification Number (BVN) said the recent staff audit exercise in the state has underscored the need for the bank to stick with good policies and programmes, as it saved the state huge sums of money.
The governor pledged that the state government will help the bank in promoting programmes that will uplift the condition of the citizenry.
Wike said his administration will also exploit the agric development programmes of the apex bank to diversity the state economy through commercial agriculture.
Thanking the bank for the recent loan scheme to small and medium scale businesses, Wike solicited for more of the apex bank loans to develop the state.
The governor noted that investments in agriculture already being consolidated by his administration will further develop the state’s economy and enhance food security.
He commended the CBN governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies, and stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
In his remarks, the Port Harcourt Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Kazeem Adekunle Alaka, announced that the CBN will assist farmers in the state to improve on the cultivation of oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state.
He said the two areas of financial inclusion for farmers in the state are aimed at diversifying the state economy through agriculture.
Alaka, therefore, appealed to the state government to launch sensitization programmes to ensure that more farmers key into the programme.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on the Federal Government to implement policies and programmes that will fight poverty in the country.
He made the call while hosting students of the National Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Study Group Six on study tour of Rivers State, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Leader of the team and Director of Studies in NIPSS, Prof. Celestine Bassey, had informed the governor that studies carried out by the institute reveal that 67 million Nigerians live in poverty, while 37 per cent of the population live in abject poverty.
Wike, however, noted that it was not enough to conduct studies around the country, saying the Federal Government needs to implement the findings and recommendations of the institute.
“I think government should take your recommendations because it will go a long way in the review and adjustment of policies and programmes,” Wike said.
He declared that the state government will support any policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which will enhance the well-being of Rivers people.
“I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of people of Rivers State. It does not matter who initiated such policy, as long as it favours our people”, he explained.
Emphasizing that he will not use his office for unnecessary politicking, Wike, pointed out that good policies should transcend party affiliation.
He said the Rivers State Government will support the NIPPS study team in carrying out their research into poverty alleviation in the state.
Earlier, Leader of delegation, Prof Celestine Bassey, had said that the team was in the state to carry out an assessment of the impact of poverty alleviation programmes in the state.
The team later held an interactive session with top officials of the Rivers State Government.
Eleven outstanding poetry collections are now in the race for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize.
The 11 collections were selected from a total of 223 entries received for this year’s competition.
Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who announced the longlist, said the emergence of the 11 collections marks a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.
According to her, the longlisted titles, arranged in alphabetical order, are: Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide; Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi; Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje; 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase; Ceremony For The Nameless by Theresa Lola; Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku; and Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu.
Other successful entries are, The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan; The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau; Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze; and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important stage in the 2026 edition of the prize.
She noted that the collections demonstrate the remarkable capacity of poetry to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations.
She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.
On style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques marked by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.
“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid, evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give voice to both individual and collective experiences.
“The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form, originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.
The Board chairman commended the judges for their painstaking work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence and the promotion of a strong reading culture.
With the announcement of the 11-title longlist, the competition now moves to the next phase, with a shortlist of three expected in August and the winner to be announced in October.
Sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the author of the winning book.
Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually across four genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature – with the 2026 edition devoted to poetry.
The Rivers State Government has applauded the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, for its steadfast dedication to advancing medical excellence and contributing significantly to healthcare development in the state and the country at large.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the NMA held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, described the association as a vital partner in the quest to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Wokoma, according to a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit in his office, Julian Masi, noted that the NMA’s sustained advocacy for professional standards and quality medical practice has continued to impact positively on the healthcare sector and national development.
He said the conference theme, “Medical Practice in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and Quo Vadis,” offers a valuable platform for stakeholders to evaluate the progress made in the health sector, examine present realities, and develop practical solutions for future challenges.
He paid tribute to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to service despite the challenges confronting the sector.
“We deeply appreciate the immense sacrifices made daily by Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals. In the face of numerous challenges, they continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience, professionalism, dedication and commitment to saving lives. Their contributions remain critical to national development,” he said.
In her keynote address, the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adaeze C. Oreh, called on participants to critically examine the current state of medical practice in Nigeria and explore innovative approaches that will address emerging healthcare challenges in line with the conference theme.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Dr. (Prof.) Annabel Ureh Oparaodu, expressed gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his continued support for the medical profession in Rivers State.
She urged delegates to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference through active engagement and knowledge sharing.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctors’ Lodge and the NMA Water Factory, initiatives designed to improve members’ welfare and promote sustainability within the association.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide digital registration of births and deaths in Rivers State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, System, using the new VitalReg platform.
Federal Commissioner, NPC, Rivers State, Prof. Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, announced said this recently during a press briefing in his Port Harcourt office.
Ogiri said the full digital registration of births and deaths took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, and is now being implemented across Rivers’ 23 Local Government Areas as part of the Commission’s rollout in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a modern, technology-driven civil registration system,
“It reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every birth and every death occurring in our country is accurately captured through a secure, efficient and digitally enabled platform,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, coverage remains low.
“Birth registration currently stands at about 57%, while death registration is below 20% nationwide.
“These gaps underscore the urgent need for a more efficient and accessible registration system,” he stated.
To address this, he said the commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the 774 LGAs, with plans to expand to about 8,000 centres nationwide.
According to him, in Rivers State, structures have been put in place and personnel are working with health facilities, LGAs and community stakeholders to ensure accessibility.
Ogiri explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster registration, 24-hour access, automated data validation for accuracy, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced record security, and a stronger national database to support other government information systems.
He added that the platform would integrate seamlessly with Nigeria’s national digital identity framework, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve coordination and service delivery.
“The initiative builds on the launch of the E-CRVS System and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 8, 2023.
“It also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital transformation and transparency,” he said.
The NPC Commissioner stressed that success depends on partnerships and public participation and listed key collaborators as ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.
“In Rivers State, we will continue to work closely with the State Government, Local Government Councils, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to ensure that no child or family is left behind,” he said.
The commissioner called on parents, guardians, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure prompt registration of every birth and death, noting that a complete civil registration system strengthens governance and supports sustainable development.
He reassured the public that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, though specialised administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification will attract approved charges to support system sustainability.
Ogiri appreciated the Rivers State Government for its support, and commended NPC staff in the State, as well as development partners, LGAs, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders for advancing civil registration in the state.
He also urged the media to continue to amplify the message “that every birth counts, every death matters and every Nigerian deserves a legal identity.”
“As we commence this new chapter, let us all work together to build a civil registration system that is modern, inclusive and trusted by all,” Ogiri concluded.