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Urban Dev: Oyo Govt Hails Wike’s Giant Strides …As More Rivers Communities Back Gov’s 2nd Term Bid
The Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor and Director General of Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning, Waheed Badamosi has lauded Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his outstanding projects delivery and urban renewal programmes that have transformed Port Harcourt City.
Speaking after a study tour of the master-plan implementation process in Rivers State, last Wednesday, Badamosi said that the likes of Wike were needed across the country to speed up national development.
He said: “The man is a workaholic as I have seen today. What I have seen today and yesterday speak volumes that the Rivers State governor has performed beautifully well.
“I wish him well and I think this is the kind of people we should have all over Nigeria, so that our country can grow to greater heights”.
He stated that they were in Rivers State to understudy the urban development techniques applied by the Rivers State Government for the purpose of applying same in Oyo State for the good of their people.
He noted that they were in Rivers State as a learning process, especially to gain from the experience of Rivers State in the implementation of different master-plans.
“We are not interested in what political party rules a particular state. What we are interested is, are you doing it right? We want to see how you are doing it right, hence we have come to Rivers State”, he said.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason Onya said physical planning, which started in 1913 in Port Harcourt, has reached its peak under the transformational leadership of Wike.
He noted that the insightful leadership of the governor attracted the Oyo State Government, which has resolved to emulate the Rivers State Urban Development Template.
“The Oyo State Government felt that they should come here to take a template of what we are doing and take it back to their state as regards the master-plan they are developing.
“They deemed it appropriate to see how the Government of Governor Wike is carrying out the physical planning of Port Harcourt”, he said.
Onya expressed happiness that state governments from different political platforms were developing a synergy for national growth.
“Oyo State is an APC State and Rivers State is a PDP state, but the two states are synergizing to enhance development. We are working out a situation where other states will emulate what Rivers State and Oyo states are doing”, he said.
Meanwhile, the people of Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have resolved to re-elect Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the strength of his outstanding execution of projects in the area.
Similarly, Eleme people have assured the governor that they would deploy the relevant resources to ensure his re-election in 2019.
Speaking after a project assessment tour, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Mr Obinna Anyanwu has lived up to his promises to the Etche people, hence the decision to support his re-election.
He said: “The governor is a giver. Governor Wike has given so much to the good people of Etche and what we owe him is to vote him again in 2019.
“Come 2019, the good people of Etche LGA will deliver 100 per cent to Governor Wike. We want to say thank you for the hospital at Okehi. Our thank you will not be complete with our votes to the governor in 2019”.
The Etche Local Government Area chairman noted that the only way the people of the area can enjoy more projects is when Wike is re-elected.
Akubueze One, Charity Nwala and Justina Nwalozie, who are indigenes of Etche Local Government Area, also declared their support for the re-election of Wike, citing the execution of numerous projects in the area as the reason for their decision.
The Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Barrister Philip Okparaji announced that Eleme people are solidly behind a second term for the governor.
He said that the Eleme-Oyigbo road nearing completion has improved the economic wellbeing of the people of the area.
He said: “The Eleme people are solidly behind the governor. There is no doubt that the governor has performed to the satisfaction of Eleme people and all of us are in support of a second term for him.
“Governor Wike has brought development to the people of Rivers State. There is no alternative to Governor Wike”.
Also speaking on the Eleme-Oyigbo road, Eze Onyeaba said before the intervention of Governor Wike, the road was a security nightmare.
He said following the reconstruction of the road, the security challenge on the road has been resolved and the economy of the area back on track.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.