Featured

I’ve Not Disappointed Rivers People -Wike

Published

5 years ago

September 9, 2020

…Says Opposition Disappointed Over Suspended NLC Protest
…As RSG, Labour Reach Agreement

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says he has utilised the mandate given to him by Rivers people to provide basic infrastructure for them.
He has also stated that he is proud to be contributing his quota to the development of the state.
Wike stated this while speaking to journalists after inspecting the Rebisi, GRA, Rumuola and Rumuogba flyover bridges, and ongoing road construction work in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state.
He stated that through passion and commitment he has judiciously utilized scarce resources for the development of the state.
“It is not the amount of resources you get that determines the kind of projects you carry out for your people.
“It is your commitment, your passion for the development of your people. If you have very good resources and you don’t have the passion and commitment, resources cannot be utilized for the good of the people.
“If you have the passion and commitment as we do, even the little resources that we have, will be judiciously used for the development of our state,” he said.
Wike expressed happiness with the speed at which the various flyover bridges are advancing, emphasizing that the Rebisi flyover would be completed by December this year while the Rumuogba and Okoro-Nu-Odo flyovers would be completed by February, 2021.
He described the Rebisi flyover as an engineering masterpiece and commended Julius Berger for delivering a quality project.
“I am indeed proud that I am able to contribute my own little quota to the development of our state.
“I have not abused the mandate given to me by Rivers people and I have also not disappointed them,” he stated.
On the outcome of the negotiation with organised labour, the governor expressed satisfaction that all contending issues were amicably resolved during the meeting.
He said that the opposition parties and those who thought the state would be plunged into crisis were disappointed.
“All the issues were mere understandings and now that they have understood our position, they said they have to suspend the protest.
“So for me, I am happy that there was nothing like conflict. At the end of the day, those of them who were thinking that Rivers State will be shut down were highly disappointed,” he added.
Also speaking, the Project Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Port Harcourt, Mr. Finn Drosdowsky, thanked the state government for entrusting the projects to them, and assured that the various flyovers would be completed on schedule.
The organized labour has suspended the planned protest scheduled for September 8, 2020 in Rivers State.
This is sequel to the agreement reached between the Rivers State Government and labour leaders at a meeting held at Government House, Port Harcourt, which ended at the early hours of yesterday.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who read the agreement, said both parties agreed to sign the agreement on the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments.
Wabba announced that the state NLC Secretariat that was sealed for the correction of structural defects, would be unsealed while government continues with correction work, if any.
He stated that the state government would immediately restore the remittance of check-off dues and pay all outstanding arrears to the respective labour unions.
According to him, government would pay the salaries withheld from health workers due to the 2017 strike action.
The NLC president also said that both parties agreed to set up a Tripartite Committee to resolve the adjustment of pensions in line with the Constitution and payment of Pension and Gratuity.
Parties, he said, agreed to take steps to discontinue all on-going litigations in relation to hitherto disputed matters.
Wabba added that the state government has agreed not to victimise any worker on account of his or her involvement in the industrial dispute.
He commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his statesmanship that facilitated the resolution of the dispute, and pledged labour’s support to move the state forward.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins; the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim; and the Executive Assistant to the Governor, Dr. Ayebaesin Beredugo; signed on behalf of Rivers State Government.
Those who signed on behalf of the organized labour, include, General Secretary, NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja; Secretary General, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Musa Lawal; Chairman, NLC, Rivers State, Comrade Beatrice Itubo; Chairman, TUC, Rivers State, Comrade Austin Jonah; Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Rivers State, Comrade Chuku Emecheta; and Secretary General, TUC, Rivers State, Comrade Obi Fortune.
In separate interviews with The Tide, yesterday at NLC Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Beatrice Itubo, said the immediate intervention of the governor saved the mutual relationship between labour and the state government from collapsing.
Itubo said the labour leaders have no personal issues with the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike in the state, and dispelled insinuations that organized labour in the state was being sponsored by the detractors of the government.
According to her, “Governor Wike is doing well in terms of infrastructural development”, saying that “workers only disagree with his government in the area concerning the welfare of workers”.
She expressed optimism that the state will implement all issues discussed in the agreement.
Also speaking, the National President of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for developmental strides in Rivers State.
Josiah said that despite the lapses in the welfare of civil servants, the governor was performing very well in the state.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the state government to also transfer the pay point of primary health workers to the state government.
On his part, the Chairman, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Comrade Anthony Nwachukwu, hailed the resolutions reached during the negotiations between the state government and the organised labour to avert the planned protest in the state.
He said that the protest would have sent a bad signal on the government, if the governor had not intervened.
The union leader said JUSUN would revoke its position on the shelved strike, if the issues of promotion arrears remain unresolved.

Featured

Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

4 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.

Featured

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

Published

4 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.

Featured

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.