Politics
Amaechi Seeks Better Deal For Rivers
Last week was pretty busy for Governor Chibuike Amaechi as he returned from Lagos after receiving the prestigious “Vanguard Personality of the Year 2012” Award at the weekend.
On Monday, the governor commenced state duties with the swearing-in of the the new chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Augustine Ahiamadu and his deputy, Ego Paula Ahiakwo in Government House.
Congratulating the new local council boss and his vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, charged them to give security a top priority considering the rising kidnapping and other social vices in the area.
Rt. Hon. Amaechi also tasked them to give attention to infrastructure development, noting that, “know that in the process of your running primary you had opposition and one of the reasons for opposing you is basically, I would not say too many of them. I will say one, basically the issue of performance and you need to go there and ensure that there in performance.
Tuesday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees led by former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih.
The PDP Board of Trustees Chairman who led delectation of top party stalwarts including Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said they were in Rivers State to consult with Rt. Hon. Amaechi over important national and party matters affecting the party.
Responding, Governor Amaechi assured them that the party is one and peaceful, but used the medium to solicit for a better deal for party members in Rivers State considering the huge votes (2 million) they gave during 2011 elections.
The new Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Port Harcourt Refinng Company, Mr. Ian G. Udoh, visted the governor on Wednesday with an appeal to the governor on the need for heightened security to ensure uninterrupted petrol products supply.
Mr. Udoh decried the high level of pipeline vadalisation and crude oil theft, which he said affect products availability and pleaded on the state government to help.
Welcoming the new Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, expressed his administration’s readiness to secure crude oil supply, and urged the company to work with the state government in beefing up security and community development.
Shortly after, the governor equally played host to students of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) on an Executive Intelligence Course of the state and led by Barrister Adebayo Babalola.
The governor after receiving the ISS study group, took them an a project tour covering the Shonghai farm, Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Banana Farm at Tai and Elekahia Model Primary School among others.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Malaria Town Hall and foundation laying ceremony for new biolarvicide factory at Rumuosi took centre stage on Thursday, as Governor Amaechi played host to Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu and ECOWAS President, Mr. Quedraogo.
At the forum held at the Civic Centre, Governor Amaechi insisted that, “We must invest in biolarvicides. We must go with the federal ministry of health, the ECOWAS Commission and the Cubans to invest in indoor spraying.”
Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu stressed the need for joint effort and environmental cleanliness to successfully tackle malaria.
President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Quedraogo pledged the support of the sub-regional body by providing fund and political support.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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