News
FG, GE Seal $1bn Dev Deal …Rivers, C’River To Benefit
The Federal Government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with General Electric Company to invest $1billion (N158 billion) in assembly and manufacturing facilities in Nigeria.
Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, signed on behalf of Nigeria while, GE Chairman and global CEO, Jeff Immelt, signed on behalf of the company.
General Electric , a United States Company, is a global leader in energy, health and rail transportation.
The facility is to be located in Calabar, Cross River State with service workshops at Port Harcourt and Onne, Rivers State.
The investment plan, according to Aganga, would have an initial $250 million capital expenditure and over $800 million incremental spending for the next five years and is expected to create 2,300 jobs.
“GE’s size of investment, which is $250 million, for the outset, and $1 bilion over the next five years, is significant in every respect.
“It is far more important because the investment is in critical areas of our economy, which is power infrastructure.
“This investment will support our Industrial Revolution Plan, which is based on the areas where we have competitive and comparative advantage,” he stated.
Aganga commended GE for its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation plan and vision 202020 of making the country one of the top twenty best performing economies by year 2020.
He said “the key socio-economic imperatives that will be delivered by this investment are numerous such as job creation, skill development.
“Also, technology transfer and local content generation are at the core of the government’s economic development strategy“.
GE Chairman and global CEO, Jeff Immelt, in his remarks said “the planned investment will make Nigeria hub for manufacturing, service and innovation.
He said it would create an improved ability to support a broader range of product lines in power generation as well as oil and gas exploration and production“.
The investment is expected to create 2300 jobs, 300 of which will be direct GE hires and the remaining 2000 indirect jobs created through suppliers that will support the expanded programme.
He said Nigeria will make up 90 per cent of the staff and management of the planned manufacturing facility, while local supplier base is expected to increase 100.
The company spending on locally sourced goods and services according to him “ is expected to increase from $4 million to over $60 million“
The CEO said “GE also plans to build a training facility on its manufacturing site to ensure ongoing employee development.
“ The company will provide one year to four year training programmes locally and internationally for repair engineers, welders, fabricators, machinists and special processing.
Acting Governor of Cross River State, Mr Effiok Cobham, who described the investment plan as a welcome development, said the state would do everything possible to ensure its sustainability.
He said the plan was part of government efforts in attracting foreign investors to the country.
“We shall continue to make Cross River a safe state for investors”, he added.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene