News
Rivers Signs MoU For N10bn Banana Plantation …Amaechi Assures Quick Gains For Investors
The Rivers State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union De Initiative SA DE CV of Mexico, for the establishment of a N10billion banana plantation in the state.
The commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Chinda who performed the ceremony on behalf of the state government in his office in Port Harcourt, said that the state government would contribute 40 per cent of the project sum while the Mexican firm will contribute the remaining 60 per cent.
Mr Chinda said that the plantation which will be sited in the Ogoni axis of the state, is meant to generate employment opportunities for the people of the state.
The Commisisoner also said that the plantation is part of the programme put in place by the government for the establishment of large-scale farms in the state.
“The state government is laying a lot of emphasis on large scare agriculture, we will re-examine all we have done in the area of agriculture so far, and try to raise the value chain of that sector so that it creates the necessary employment , that is supposed to be for our people”, he said.
He used the occasion to assure the Mexican investors of government’s preparedness to assist in the realization of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the firm, Mr Gabriel Airedondo said they were proud to partner with the state government in the establishment of the plantation, describing it as a historic event.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Jokotade Adamu thanked them for their interest and stressed the need for the establishment of a factory that will process the banana harvested from the plantation.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi has assured prospective investors in the N250 billion Rivers bond of quick returns on their investment.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi gave the assurance, on Monday, when a team of Standard and Poors – an International public finance rating body led by its Director, International/Sovereign Public Finance, Mr. Lorenzo Pareja paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi disclosed that the State has worked out modalities for paying back the loan. His words, “we assure all those who would invest in the bond that they would get back their money with good returns in good time.”
The Governor who reiterated the rationale behind going for the bond, averred that the bond is aimed at assisting government fund on-going projects such as the new M-10 Highway, the Greater Port Harcourt City, the Monorail, the New Mega Hospital, the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology complex and several other landmark developmental projects.
“What I’ve told them is, we must pay back within our tenure,” the governor said.
According to the Rivers State Chief Executive, the state government would not wait for the monthly revenue allocation to drive development.
“This administration needs money to complete its projects. Our target is to be able to fund capital expenditure. If we wait for Federal Government revenue, we may not be able to complete our projects on time.”
He added that, “in the next four years our projected revenue is estimated to be between 900 billion and 1 trillion naira.”
He disclosed that currently the internally-generated revenue has risen from N4.5 billion to N5 billion which makes the State viable to repay its debts without stress.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Pareja intimated the Governor that the team was in the State to carry out its yearly monitoring and assessment of the Rivers State credit ability.
So far, he said that the State has shown remarkable improvements in the management of its resources and governance in general.
Considering the current economic boom the state is witnessing, the Standard and Poor’s Director stated that the government could go ahead to issue the bond, noting that it is in line with the Rivers State capital expenditure.”
“We have heard of plans by the State to issue bond in the capital market. This is quite historic because it’s the first time Rivers State is doing it. N250 billion capital expenditure is a substantial investment.
“We hope that this very remarkable investment plan will have a lasting impact on the State and its internally generated revenue.” Pareja said.
News
Learn How To Form Coalition Party From Tinubu, Sowunmi Tells Atiku

Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
News
FIRS Introduces New SOP To End Tax Confusion Nationwide

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
News
FG Working Towards World-Class Public Service -Walson-Jack

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.
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