Connect with us

News

Buhari Commissions $1.457bn Rail Line …Rejects Fashola’s NERC Chair Choice

Published

10 years ago

on

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the $1.457 billion Abuja- Kaduna rail services.
The President, during the commissioning at Idu Station in Abuja, yesterday, promised that the Federal Government would link all states and commercial centres in the country with rail lines.
The president later took a train ride from Idu to Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.
The modernisation phase of the project commenced with the signing of the contract for the construction of Abuja (Idu) to Kaduna (Rigasa) rail line in 2009.
Buhari said the new rail line would significantly enhance and provide affordable and safe movement of passengers and freight between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.
He noted that the train operation would also serve as a major catalyst for industrialisation and generation of employment.
Nigeria’s first high speed rails system, which connects the Federal Capital City of Abuja and northern commercial capital, Kaduna, yesterday began commercial operations as President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the train service.
Meanwhile, President Buhari reportedly stunned the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, following his decision to nominate Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande, as the executive chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
According to a report, Akinwade, a professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was nominated ahead of Fashola’s preferred candidate, Olasupo Shasore.

However, he and Femi Amzat, Fashola’s commissioner for works, were defeated by Akinwunmi Ambode, the preferred candidate of Bola Tinubu, a national leader of APC.
Following Ambode’s victory at the poll, the relationship between Tinubu and Fashola has not improved since then, and it was widely reported last year that Tinubu did not support the appointment of Fashola as minister because of their strained relationship.
But a Presidency insider told newsmen: “Shasore was dropped because the president does not want anything that will stoke tension in the Lagos axis again.”
According to the source, Buhari personally sought out the NERC nominees as he is doing in critical areas of his administration.
He said: “The president’s expectation is that with more professionals in his team, including those from the Diaspora, he will be able to deliver the goods in these critical areas.”
With his nomination, Akinwande will succeed Sam Amadi whose tenure ended in 2015.
It was gathered that Buhari sent Akinwande’s name and other nominees to the Senate for confirmation before they embarked on their long recess last Thursday.
Other nominees include: Musiliu Olalekan Oseni (South-West), Dafe C. Akpeneye (South-South), Okafor Frank Nwoye (South-East), Sanusi Garba (North-West), Nathan Rogers Shatti (North-East), and Moses Arigu (North-Central).
NERC, which regulates the power sector, is key to the resolution of the electricity crisis as the government has already privatised distribution and generation entities.
It is under the control of the Federal Government and is currently being managed by Manitoba of Canada on contractual basis.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

6 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

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
Continue Reading

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

6 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

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.
Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:
Continue Reading

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

6 days ago

on

February 2, 2026

By

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.
Continue Reading

Trending