Politics
Amaechi Visits Ikwerre LGA
On Tuesday, last week, before the local government
tour commenced, the Progressive Governors Forum held its second workshop on education tagged, “Crisis in Nigeria Educating Sector: Addressing the connect between unemployment and insecurity” in Government, House.
The workshop which was declared open by chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, through his deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso, was aimed at evolving education policies and programmes for APC led states in the country.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi set the tone for the workshop when he tasked participants made up of over 13 commissioners of Education from APC states. Amaechi represented by the Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii charged them to bring back education to its former status.
Governor Amaechi also commenced his “Meet the People Tour” to Ikwerre Local Government Area that same Tuesday. He covered seven communities on the first day and five on the second day of the tour. Communities visited include Aluu, Omanwa, Ubima, Omagwa. Apani, Omerelu, Isiokpo, Elele etc.
Explaining the essence of the tour on Tuesday at Igwuruta, Governor Amaechi said, “This visit is not for campaign. We are here to discuss what will benefit the people at the grassroots. I ‘am interested in the politics of development. I will build two new primary schools in Igwuruta. The primary schools will have 20 classrooms blocks”.
He also noted “those politicians from this area who are in the opposition (PDP) have benefitted more in this administration. I have helped them one way or the other. We will embark on empowerment of our people. So we urge you to always support our interest”.
On the second leg of the tour on Wednesday the governor covered five Ikwerre communities with Apani Town been the last port of call. He addressed Mammoth crowd at Aluu and assured them that the next caretaker committee chairman will come from their community. At Omagwa, he announced the elevation and recognition of their traditional ruler.
Governor Amaechi proceeded to Isiokpo from Omagwa, where he was given a rousing welcome. At Elele, he commended the peoples’ support for his administration and promised more projects, especially in the area of boosting power provision. He went to Apani as the night creped on the convoy. Not deterred by the hour, Amaechi addressed the people and announced that government would recognise their traditional ruler separate from that of Omerelu.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi played host to the House of Representative Committee on Law Transport led by its Deputy Chairman, Dr Sokoute Davies. Though he commended the effort by the Federal Government to revive the railways, he observed that the country needs a faster and more effective rail system that will covey people and goods faster with little constraints.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representative, committee on Land Transport intimated the governor that they were on oversight functions to inspect repair works on the railways from Enugu to Port Harcourt, and commended work so far done on the tracks.
On Friday last week, Governor Amaechi unveiled two vehicles under the Automated Road Analyser (ARAN) programme. The scheme is the brainchild of the Burean for Public Procurement (BOPP) to ensure quality road projects and standardization in projects delivery.
Director-General of BOPP, Mr Franklin Nlerum, said the equipment were secured top write scientific basis of assessing road projects. On Saturday, the governor played hosts to supporters from Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The visit was private.
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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