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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.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”