Politics

RSG Flags Off Three New Campuses Of RSU

Published

5 years ago

June 7, 2021

Rivers State Government , last week, flagged off three new campuses of the state-owned university, amongst other critical projects in the state.
The are ; the Emohua Campus, the Etche Campus and the Ahoada Campus. At the official flag – off of the Emohua Campus, last Monday, Governor Wike disclosed the intention of his administration to also develop the Ogoni Campus of the university.
The Governor who noted that establishing more new universities was not the best approach to solve the problems associated with higher education said more concern should be on how more funds should be committed to the existing universities to enable them to effectively train the manpower needed in the country.
“ Why I cannot build more universities is not because I don’t have where to build them. But it is to have the money to fund the universities. The ones we have, we have not been able to fund them”, Governor Wike said.
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ndowa Lale flagged – off the Emohua Campus, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Don Baridam officially flagged -off the Etche Campus last Tuesday, while former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka Flagged off the Ahoada Campus of the state university.
Performing the flag-off of the Etche Campus, Prof. Don Baridam said Governor Wike was spreading development using siting of campuses of the state university in other local government areas.
The move , he said , would solve the usual complaint of over-crowding of classrooms, increase the carrying capacity of the institution as well as check the challenge of inadequate hostel accommodation amongst others.
The Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okugbule, said the Senate and Council of the University approved that Faculty of Agriculture be located in the Etche Campus in cognition of the acknowledged agrarian economy of Etche as the famous Food Basket of the state.
Last Saturday, the state government also inaugurated the Senate Building of the University and also performed foundation stone laying for the construction of the College of Medical Sciences comprising Faculties of Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Science, and Pathology.
The Governor further announced the award of full scholarship for all the 55 students already admitted into the institution. According to him, the scholarship covers the entire period of the programme .
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, who laid the foundation for the construction of the buildings, said under Governor Wike’s administration, the health sector had received unprecedented attention geared toward the sustainable development goal.
Also within the week under review, the state Chief Executive flagged off two hostel blocks (450 bed spaces each ) and a 1500 capacity auditorium being constructed by the Rivers State Government at the Yenegoa Campus of the Nigerian Law School .
The Rivers State Governor who further requested for the approval of the Federal Government for the establishment of a campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt said the existing six campuses of the school across the country can only admit 6,000 out of the 10,000 applicants that seek legal education every year.
He stated that the state government was willing to provide the basic infrastructure required in establishing another law school within six months in order to accommodate more students desiring legal education in the country.
Also last week in Brick House, Governor Wike bagged the Blueprint Newspaper’s Governor of the year Award.
At the event which took place at the Congress Hall , Trsnscorps Hilton Hotel, Abuja, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan was named Icon of Democracy in Africa while eleven other governors also received different awards.

The Chairman/CEO of Blueprint Newspapers Limited… described Gov Wike as a development strategist who has used Infrastructural revolution, healthcare, education, agriculture and sports to honoure his social contract with Rivers people.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, commended the management of Blueprint Newspapers for recognising the giant strides of the Rivers State Governor, noting that Gov Wike has within the last six years demonstrated that he is a visionary leader and prudent manager of resources.

“ When his contemporaries are complaining of economic downturn, Gov Wike is commissioning projects and flagging off new ones”, Nsirim said.

Also last week, the state government inaugurated and handed over National Industrial Court Judges in Port Harcourt.

By: Chris Oluoh

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

5 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.