News

Wike’s Decentralisation Of RSU, N16.6bn Release Excite Stakeholders

Published

5 years ago

February 15, 2021

Stakeholders in Rivers State have commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for releasing N16.6billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt.
Guests made the commendation during a Rhythm 93.7 FM radio phone-in programme ‘Viewpoint’, in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
Speaking as a guest at the programme, a Professor of Econometrics, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Okey Onuchukwu, described the development as a timely intervention to expand the tertiary education sector and improve the rural economy of the state.
The renowned economist called the people of the state to jettison political sentiments and support Wike and his team so that the basic objective of transforming the rural communities would be achieved through decentralisation of the Rivers State University.
Onuchukwu, a former Director of the Business School of the University of Port Harcourt, said the decentralisation would not only enhance rapid socio-economic development of the three local government areas but would also make tertiary education more accessible to the people of the state.
The university don, who was part of the team that drew up the development blueprint of the NEW Rivers Vision of Governor Wike said, “The Rivers State University is a very critical area Governor Nyesom Wike had in mind earlier before he came into government, that look, ‘I am going to intervene in this university by ensuring that the campuses are decentralised and build a world standard medical college.’ That has been there. Wike didn’t just jump into governance; he had a well-prepared blueprint of how he is going to develop the various sectors of the state.”
He described the move to establish a standard medical college at the university as one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State as it would address the dearth of medical doctors in the health sector of the state in the nearest future.
Onuchukwu said there was nothing wrong in the governor’s award of scholarship to students of the PAMO Medical University, who are indigenes of the state, saying that it would encourage the graduation of more medical doctors to complement the personnel requirements of hospitals in the state.
He dismissed claims of ethnic colouration in the development agenda of the Wike-led administration, saying that “in the first place, we should commend the effort of the Rivers State Government and try to play down on this ethnic colouration.”
“And one thing I will say here is: government has done this much in this present situation. Some other governments will continue and provide. There is no way government can address all the issues bothering on development at a time and at a go,” he said.
Speaking in the second the segment of the radio programme, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Coalition of PDP Support Group of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Hon. Edwin Ibanichuka and Arch. Meme Samuel, respectively, described Wike as a detribalised leader who has taken into consideration equality, service and justice in the execution of his administration’s development agenda.
They maintained that although the Wike-led administration has ensured the spread of development projects to all the 23 local government areas of the state, there was no way the government or any other group can ignore the need for urban renewal programme since 90 per cent of Rivers people improve their economic wellbeing in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas that constitute the capital of the state.
According to Samuel, “For access to economic wellbeing for businesses to thrive, for comfort, every responsible government would want to open up the urban centres so that the inflow of people from the rural areas and those coming from outside the state with their goods, their services would have a pot everybody can come and feed from, and that is what the government is doing.
“I can assure you, it is Wike today, tomorrow, there might be another governor. Let me tell you, every governor that sits at the Brick House will always embark on urban renewal, and in so doing, cannot succeed in Rivers State without investing in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor,” Samuel said.
Samuel, however, defended the state government on the issue of decentralisation of projects.
“You will be unfair to Governor Wike when you constantly miniaturise the NEW Rivers Vision by saying that development is concentrated in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, while a lot is happening across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
“For example, the expansion of the Rivers State University campuses to three local government areas on its own has ripple effects socially, economically and even security wise because insecurity thrives when focus of government is not there.”
Buttressing their claims with a list of 106 projects executed by the Wike-led administration in the 23 local government areas, he said, “now, for us in the next 20 to 30 years, if there is continuity of programme by succeeding governments, you will see that in the next 10 years, Emohua, Ahoada and Etche will open up because there will be careful, deliberate implementation of policies from the school projects.”
It would be recalled that the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, had last Wednesday, announced that the state government has released N16.6billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University.
Out of amount, N7.6billion is for the proper establishment of the College of Medical Sciences of the university while N3billion each will go to the three campuses of the university to be established at Emohua, Ahoada and Etche local government areas, Nsirim said.

News

PDP Kicks As APC Wins FCT Council Polls

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle election petitions arising from last Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

This comes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.

The Tide reports that the council elections were held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across all six FCT area councils, including Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

Results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.

In a statement issued yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party congratulated its candidates, who emerged winners in the chairmanship and councilor elections.

The opposition party acknowledged the victories, noting that the number of wins was lower than expected but significant given the alleged irregularities during the polls.

“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.

Ememobong claimed that there are reports and video evidence indicating voter intimidation and unlawful conduct that influenced the outcome of the elections.

“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”

To address complaints and litigations arising from the polls, he said the party has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq.

The statement urged candidates with legitimate grievances to contact the Legal Adviser promptly, as delays could jeopardise their chances in election petition cases.

“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act.

“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made,” the statement added.

The PDP called on the National Assembly and the President to take corrective action to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.

News

S’Court Gets New Justice As CJN Swears In Oyewole, Wednesday

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Wednesday swear in Justice Joseph Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 2pm at Courtroom Two of the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.

The court urged guests to adhere strictly to the court’s protocols and security measures.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Festus Akande.

The court described Oyewole’s appointment as a step towards reinforcing the capacity of the apex court to deliver fair and timely judgments.

Recall that Oyewole was, until his elevation, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division, and joins the apex court bench as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary.

The National Judicial Council recommended Oyewole for the position alongside 35 others for various judicial offices, following its 110th meeting held on January 13, 2026, and presided over by Justice Kekere-Ekun.

The statement partly read, “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, will on Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA.”

According to the statement, Oyewole served with distinction at the Court of Appeal and as Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division prior to his elevation.

“His appointment underscores the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and strengthening the bench with experienced and dedicated jurists. He brings a wealth of legal expertise and integrity to the apex court to further enhance its capacity to deliver fair and timely judgments,” the statement added.

The apex court further described the swearing-in as “another significant step in rejuvenating the judiciary and ensuring the continued delivery of justice in line with the highest standards of integrity, competence, and impartiality.”

The Supreme Court reiterated its commitment to justice, fairness and judicial independence for the benefit of Nigerians.

News

Fubara Mourns Senator Mpigi

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the sudden passage of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing South East Senatorial District of Rivers State.

In a tribute to mourn the deceased, Governor Fubara described Mpigi as a brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State.

He said that Mpigi died at a critical time when his services were still needed by the people of Rivers State and prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.

The governor commiserated with his immediate family, the Rivers South East Senatorial District and the Senate at large, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good life and impacted positively on the people.

Senator Mpigi died at the age of 64. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.