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Rivers Agog As Wike Returns With ‘Power Of Sports’ Award …Gov Stops Over At Project Sites …Again Warns Against Street Trading …NUJ Hails Gov On Award

Published

8 years ago

May 11, 2018

Rivers people yesterday trooped to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to celebrate Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as he returned with the “Power of Sports” Award.
The International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS) Africa had conferred the Power of Sports Award in a ceremony last Wednesday in Belgium witnessed by sports journalists from 108 countries.
Accompanied by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, Wike returned to the love and support of Rivers people who sang his praises for doing the state proud.
Defying the heavy rains, Rivers people declared their unflinching support for the governor in his commitment to change the fortunes of the state.
Wike said that the award would only spur him to further dedicate himself to the construction of a New Rivers State, adding that investments of his administration would earn the state global acclaim.
He reiterated that the state’s investments in sports, especially the Real Madrid Football Academy was to empower youth with the right footballing skills and education to conquer the world.
The construction of the Real Madrid Football Academy would be flagged off on May 28, 2018 in an international event in Port Harcourt.
Wike said: “I wish to reiterate our resolve to continue to tap the benefits of sport to advance social cohesion, peace and progress in Rivers State.”
Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr Emeka Woke, who welcomed the Rivers State governor alongside other Rivers people, said that the state has transformed into an international reference point because of the outstanding developmental strides of the Governor.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike on his return from Brussel yesterday appealed to street traders to desist from displaying their wares on major roads.
Governor Wike also described as unfortunate the attack of Government Officials restoring sanity on the roads by hoodlums at the Slaughter Market in Port Harcourt. .
He gave the management of the market two days to produce the hoodlums or face sanctions.
He said that nobody will be allowed to disrupt the development process of the state, under any guise.
The govenor spoke with the traders during his inspection visits to project sites on Thursday after returning Brussels where he was honoured with the Power of Sports Award by the International Sports Press Association Africa.
He said that apart from the fact that the traders damage portions of the roads recently constructed and deface the roads, street trading poses danger to the traders who are susceptible to accidents.
He urged the traders to move into different markets across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas constructed for business activities.
He said: “Please don’t trade on the streets. What you are doing damage and deface the roads. My plea is that you go into the markets for your safety and the aesthetics of the city.”
Governor Wike said that the state government will take sustained measures to check illegal street trading, hence his personal involvement with the sensitization of traders.
He added that the meshed wires fences are beings installed on roads in areas prone to street trading to keep the traders off the roads.
“As we are working on these roads, everyone is happy. We will not allow street traders destroy the beauty of the city”, he said.
During the inspection yesterday, Governor Wike visited National Industrial Court, Mother and Child Hospital, Restaurants and Cinema, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, Judges Quarters, Slaughter Road, Reconstruction of Government Offices at Mile One Fly Over,Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Land Reclamation at Ogbunabali/Nkpogu, Oil Mill-Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, Abacha Road, Mgboshimini Primary Health Care , Doctors Quarters among other projects.
Governor Wike said that intense projects inspection will continue ahead of the third year anniversary.
Majority of the projects visited by Governor Wike will be commissioned during the administration’s third year anniversary.
Governor Wike expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the project sites, emphasising that the joy of Rivers people at the execution of projects is a motivation.
In a related development, the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has congratulated the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the conferment of Africa ‘Power of Sports’ award on him by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Brussels, Belgium.
The NUJ, in a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Uche Agbam and Acting Secretary, Anayo Onukwugha, described the award as well deserved, considering the governor’s contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria, and Africa in general.
The union said the recent hosting of the African Wrestling Championship in Port Harcourt as well as the renovation of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex were some of the feats achieved by the governor in the area of sports development.
“We are not surprised that AIPS conferred this revered award on Governor Nyesom Wike. The governor is the first African to be conferred with the ‘Power of Sports’ award. We believe that the governor’s immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria, and Africa in general, attracted the award.
“Recently, Rivers State hosted the whole of Africa in the African Wrestling Championship. Also, the renovation of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex is another eloquent testimony of Governor Wike’s commitment to the development of sports,” the union added.
Meanwhile, the international sports journalists, last Wednesday, in Brussels, Belgium, honoured Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike with the ‘Power of Sports’ award.
He was nominated by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Africa.
Witnessed by sports personalities and journalists from across the globe, the award to the governor was for his remarkable fidelity in raising the bar of sports matters and using sports as a catalyst for development.
The event took place at Le Plaza, Brussels and the presentation of the award was performed by the President, AIPS, Mr Gianni Merlo and President, AIPS Africa, Mr Mitchell Obi in the presence distinguished sports journalists from 108 countries.
Presenting the award to the Rivers State governor, President AIPS Africa, Mitchell Obi said Wike was being recognised for the use of sports as a tool to effectively engage the youth population in the continent.
He urged Wike to sustain his commitment to sports development as more youth would be empowered in the state.

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.