News
PDP ’ll Complete 2nd Niger Bridge, Revamp Delta Seaports -Atiku
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has pledged the completion of the Second Niger Bridge and the resuscitation of the three seaports in Delta State, if elected.
He made the pledge in his address to the people of Delta State during the PDP presidential rally, yesterday, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the state capital.
Atiku said, “I want to commend the good people of Delta State for their loyalty to PDP over the years.
“I have come here today to seek your mandate in my quest to serve our great country Nigeria.
“Let me assure you that if you elect me as your president, I will do three major things for the people of this state.
“First and foremost, I will ensure the resuscitation of the three seaports in Delta State that have been left dead over the years.
“Secondly, I will complete all abandoned Federal Government projects in the state.
“Thirdly, my administration will ensure urgent completion of the second Niger Bridge that the present government is playing with.
“I urge the people to vote for the PDP.”
The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Scondus, also urged the people of Delta State to ensure they have their voter cards.
He appealed to the people to go out on Election Day and vote the PDP at all levels “for a progressive Nigeria.
“I want you all to make sure you have your voter cards because that is the only way you can effect the change we all need.
“I urge you to vote for the PDP at all levels, that is the only way we can effect the change we all need for our nation to move forward.”
Secondus called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to be above-board in the conduct of the elections.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Bukola Saraki, also urged the people to vote for PDP.
“The most important thing to us as a people is that we are seeing the future, a future which the PDP will bring peace to our entire country; we are prepared for the elections and from the crowd we have today, you (Alhaji Abubakar) will be encouraged to know that Deltans will vote PDP in large numbers, and we will defend our votes,” the governor said.
Director-General of the Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki, who danced to the admiration of the people, congratulated Governor Okowa for his developmental efforts, especially, for constructing the Stephen Keshi Stadium, noting that the governor “understands the act of governance.”
Saraki who is the President of the Senate said it was important for Nigerians to vote for Alhaji Abubakar because, such will boost the confidence of investors, boost the economy and create job opportunities for the people.
“Investors do not go to countries where there is no rule of law, countries where security of lives and property is not guaranteed; don’t waste your votes for the APC, don’t be afraid, we will monitor the votes so that they cannot rig, a vote for Alhaji Abubakar is a vote to boost our economy, provide jobs for our people; vote for the PDP,” Senator Saraki said while the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus warned that any attempt to rig the elections would be resisted and spell doom for the country.
“We are aware that there are patriotic Nigerians in INEC, if the election is rigged, there will be war because, everybody is ready for the elections; the security agencies should obey the constitution and be neutral or else, there will be crisis,” Prince Secondus said, adding, “Nigerians should come out and vote and defend their votes because, the votes must count so that we can vote out someone who has brought disgrace to the nation.”
He continued, “we need digital President and Atiku is that digital President; Alhaji Abubakar can interact and engage the youths, he will be in charge and the government would not be in the hands of cabals.”
Others who spoke at the rally include, Chief Benjamin Elue, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, and Senator Stella Omu.
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
