News
Wike Advocates True Federalism …As HOS, Others Chart Course For Growth
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called for urgent need by the Federal Government to address critical issues of fiscal federalism, corruption and injustice if Nigeria should move forward as a nation.
In an address shortly after taking national salute and march past for 56th Independence anniversary at the Sharks Stadium, Saturday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State governor said failure to address these areas have contributed hugely to slow progress of the nation.
He observed that the nation was sinking irreversibly down the abyss, stressing that only a united front will salvage the country, and set it on the path of growth.
The governor regretted that either by commission or omission, the Federal Government has dragged the country into its worst economic crisis where Nigerians find it difficult to feed.
In his special address during the 56th Independence celebration at the Sharks Stadium, Wike lamented that ordinary Nigerians are dying daily from ailments that are ordinarily curable.
The governor declared: “Just look at the situation of our country at this material time. Never in history has the seeds of disunity, distrust, hatred; intolerance, violence, and terrorism proliferated in our country than now, not even in the years of the civil war.
“By acts of omission or commission, the Federal Government has pushed the nation into its worst economic nightmare. With inflation on the loose, poverty is increasing as ordinary Nigerians are finding it difficult to have one decent meal in a day. Families are losing loved ones to curable ailments simply because they can no longer afford necessary medications to sustain their health and vitality.
“Worse still, just as our collective security is being threatened by the activities of motley terrorist groups, such as the Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen, most Nigerians are increasingly becoming disillusioned with the country’s failing national institutions, for their inability to mirror the nation’s character and values.”
He added: “It looks as if the country is sinking irreversibly into the abyss, but this is what happens when a country is economically weak and dependent. The need, therefore, for all of us to work together with the three levels of government, to deliver real and sustainable economic independence to our country and our people remains the greatest challenge before all.”
Wike said that the earlier the thorny issues affecting the nation are addressed, the better for the development of the country.
He noted that the people of Rivers State are proud of their contributions to the development and economic growth of Nigeria, pointing out that they deserve to be rewarded according to their inputs to the sustenance of the country.
“As Rivers people, we are proud of our contributions to the unity and progress of the Nigerian nation. We remain committed to preserving the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. All that we ask in return for our loyalty and commitment is justice, mutual respect and just recompenses for our contributions and sacrifices to the economic and social wellbeing of the country”, Wike said.
He explained that the Rivers State Government, through policies and programmes, has empowered the people and improved their living condition.
Wike said: “As a deliberate social policy, we concentrated more resources to improve physical and socio-economic infrastructure in the state. Accordingly, apart from several major roads that we have already completed and commissioned, work on all ongoing road projects spread is progressing very well”.
He pointed out that projects in the area of infrastructure, health and education have improved the living conditions of the people of Rivers State.
The 56th Independence anniversary celebration witnessed march pass by the police, paramilitary voluntary organisations and schools.
The governor also released the white pigeons signifying peace.
Meanwhile, Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, has said that Rivers State has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s existence for the past 56 years.
Godwins while calling for prayers for the country, urged Nigerians not to lose hope, noting that,”some countries would have split due to some of the challenges we have here.”
He urged the country leaders to learn from the Wike administration in the state by utilizing the little resources available to better lot of the state.
On her part, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimim Jacks, suggested that the country should exploit agric as a way to overcome its economic challenges.
She said, “A lot has been said about swindling resources because the emphasis has been much on oil. We should be talking about agriculture now, and that for me, is the way to go. An investment in agriculture, if put together, is sustainable, and can create a lot of jobs.”
For the paramour ruler of Abua Kingdom, King Kale Ogbuge, every country faces one challenge or the other at one point, hence there is need to put hands together to move the country forward.
Ogbuge called for more efforts to develop the rail system to link all state capitals, in order to reduce pressure on available roads.
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.
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