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For South-South Regional Integration
Last Wednesday, the Federal House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a development commission for the South-South geo-political zone, also popularly known as the Niger Delta region.
Sponsored by Rep Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the bill was first read on the floor of the House on December 19, 2019. The bill, if eventually passed into law is to establish the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) whose primary mandate will be to receive and manage funds from the Federation Account Allocation, other sources, including grants, donations and aids for the sole aim of developing, integrating and addressing the infrastructural deficit, militancy, communal crisis, insecurity and ecological and environmental challenges facing the region.
The vision of the SSDC may not be too different from the objectives of the ill-fated BRACED Commission set up by Governors of the region some 10 years ago, but for obvious reasons, was slowed down. Luckily, in a recent meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital, the governors under the aegis of the South-South Governors Forum resolved to resuscitate the BRACED Commission.
Interestingly, the forum also agreed to float a regional security outfit that will, among others, tackle the security concerns bedeviling the zone in the wake of increasing insecurity in the country.
Hitherto, states in the region had made bold attempts to tackle insecurity in their respective states without synergising with neighbouring states to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to solving the twin problem of crime and criminality in Rivers State, for instance. Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration during its first tenure established the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Agency which bill was duly passed by the state legislature and assented to by the governor.
But for political reasons, the Federal Government, using the Nigerian Army, scuttled the lofty idea and the agency has not been functional and effective till date despite a Federal High Court order declaring the Army’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.
Other States in the region, also made similar attempts at combating the rise in criminal activities in the zone, but most of such moves, if not all had not yielded the desired result possibly because of lack of synergy and collaboration among the governors of the region.
Stakeholders in the region therefore hail the latest move by the governors, not only to resuscitate the BRACED Commission but also to float a regional security outfit, like Amotekun in the South-West to tackle head on insecurity in the area. Herdsmen/farmers clashes, militancy, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, cultism and other social vices have been a reoccurring decimal in the zone and the need for such security network has become inevitable.
Indeed, it is now imperative that we as a people with a common destiny and peculiar challenges must come together to battle the common enemies in our midst. Methuks that the only path to follow is have a common platform such as the BRACED Commission and a regional security architecture and network to confront squarely the real and present danger.
The Nigerian conventional security outfits- the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Armed Forces, from all indications appear to be overwhelmed by current security challenges and the most viable option is to establish zonal or regional security outfits that will complement their efforts.
It is, therefore, my candid opinion that all well-meaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Deltans must support our leaders to ensure that the BRACED Commission and the regional security outfit succeed.
Such arrangement will not only facilitate economic co-operation and development of the South-South States, but will also pave way for regional integration and cross-fertilisation of ideas.
All we require now is adequate funding to hit the ground running.
In the same vein, let all our lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives support the SSDC Bill to sail through just as the North-East Development Commission. That’s the right path to follow.
Goodluck Ukwe
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
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?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.
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?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.
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?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.
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?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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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.
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