News

NASS Task Leaders On Economic Dev … Debates Pre-Budget Framework

Published

13 years ago

October 3, 2012

The Senate yesterday urged the federal, states and local governments
and all leaders in Nigeria to work harder to return Nigeria to economic growth,
sustenance as well as strengthen national unity.

The Senate made the call following the debate on a motion congratulating Nigeria and Nigerians on its 52nd Independence Anniversary sponsored by Sen.Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) and 107 other senators.

Leading the debate, Enang noted with delight that Nigeria
was gradually developing its domestic production capacity as an independent
nation.

Senate President David Mark, who presided over plenary
session, said that for Nigeria to remain one, united nation till date, was a
great achievement.

Mark noted that although the country might not be where it
ought to be, for now, it was making giant strides toward attaining its desired
destination.

The Senate president said that Nigeria needed political will
to take its policies to logical conclusions either at the executive level or
legislative level.

Mark said unless section 7 of the Constitution was amended,
the National Assembly would not be able to do something about the current
situation.

He, however, expressed optimism that if the state
governments would do even a little better than that what was currently
obtainable, the situation would be a lot different.

Mark noted that only Lagos was generating its own revenue
adding that other states were largely depending on federal allocation.

The Senate president said he completely disagreed with Sen.
Uche Chukwumerije (PDP-Abia), who described Nigeria as a failed state.

He said there was no doubt the country had challenges but
expressed optimism that with the right political will the challenges would be
surmounted.

The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, urged
senators to remain patriotic and nationalistic, assuring them that all hope for
Nigeria was not lost.

Sen. Pius Ewherido (DPP-Delta) in his contribution,
congratulated Nigerians especially the ordinary masses, saying they were the
real victors.

Ewherido called on the National Assembly to take budget
implementation seriously, reminding them that it was one way to execute
projects that would impact, positively, on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.

He stressed the need for effective funding of local
governments to ensure that they met the challenges of economic growth and the
need of the rural populace.

Meanwhile, the Senate
on Tuesday began work on the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal
Strategy Paper (FSP) by referring the document to its Committee on Finance and
National Planning.

President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded the MTFF and FSP
to the Senate for approval in accordance with sections 13, 12 and 11 of the
Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

The MTFF is the basis upon which the 2013 Appropriation Act
is structured.

There are certain key areas in the document that need to be
agreed upon by the Senate before the 2013 budget can be approved.

One of such issues is the benchmark of crude oil which the
MTFF document has placed at $75 per barrel. Another is oil subsidy, which the
Senate needs to agree on before the budget can be approved.

It would be recalled that Jonathan had last week
communicated to the Senate through a letter, his intention to present the 2013
budget at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on October 4.

Bearing in mind the importance of the need to submit the
2013 budget early to the National Assembly, Senate President David Mark advised
the committees to expedite work on the document.

Mark said the document should be returned to the Senate next
Tuesday.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.