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Only APC Can Sustain CARNIRIV – Gov …Okrika LGA Sweeps Prizes ‘Rivers Now Tourism Hub’
Governor Chibuike Amaechi has called on the people of the state to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) if they want to continue enjoying the gains of the annual CARNIRIV festival.
Speaking after participating in the free style street parade on Saturday in Port Harcourt in company of APC gubernatorial candidate, Hon Dakuku Peterside and other top functionaries of government, Amaechi said, “I believe APC will win and will not allow what happened to old CARNIRIV to happen.
The governor who is from APC will sustain this tempo and will win and another APC governor will continue, because APC must produce that governor that understands the pains of the people.”
Amaechi expressed optimism that the programme has achieved the vision for which it was set up.
He said, the crowd excitement and participation shows that the people have embraced the festival and would want an incoming APC government to sustain the tempo, “the level of chanting, the level of support we get from the streets indicate that this is APC state. No matter what the PDP do or federal government bring, this is an APC state and we are waiting for the elections.”
He challenged those in the opposition to show their level of fitness to govern the state, “Am older than the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP let him take a walk like me. Let him take a walk of 10-15 kilometres. I took 10-15 kilometer of walk to the stadium to show them that I’am strong and fit and those emperors who are in PDP cannot do the things I do. They can’t dance, they can’t pop up the young men. If you see me and the young men you would not know I’am 49.”
The APC governorship candidate in the state, Hon Peterside promised to sustain the gains of the CARNIRIV. He noted that what was required is youthful zeal and energy, stating that the festival has huge potentials for the state.
Peterside said, “we are going to devote most of our time fighting poverty, creating wealth and conducive environment for our people to realize their potentials. Today we have shown that tourism is one pillar of that new order.”
The federal lawmaker representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency pointed out that so far, CARNIRIV has shown investors that there is peace in the state and that more of such investors will come in if a peaceful atmosphere is sustained.
Meanwhile, the Okrika Local Government Area has won the first prize in this years Rivers Cultural Canival (CANIRIV). The local government area won all the major prizes at the finals in Ekere competition, Boat Regettas and Heritage float.
In Ekere competition, Okrika beat Gokana LGA to the second position while Port Harcourt LGA came third.
In Boat Regetta, Okrika also beat Bonny LGA to the second position while Andoni LGA came third.
Okrika LGA also won the first position in the Canival float ahead of Ogu/Bolo LGA which took second position while Ahoada East/Ahoada West Came third.
The Rivers State Cultural Carnival has been described as one legacy that will drive the economy of the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) guber standard bearer, Hon Dakuku Peterside made the assertion when he represented Governor Amaechi at the Local Government areas floats parade last Friday in Port Harcourt.
He said there was need to sustain the vision, in order to make the state the tourism hub of the country.
According to him, “The Rotimi Amaechi led administration re-initiated CARNIRIV some seven years ago “first is to promote our rich cultural heritage and indeed preserve our identity as unique, peace loving people. People who can co-exist in diversity. The second reason is to boost our tourism potentials and prove to the world that Rivers State is the preferred tourism destination.”
He said, “looking back after seven years the government of Rivers State can beat its chest and say indeed we have accomplished the reason for starting CARNIRIV seven years ago.”
The legislator representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency promised that the APC government will work for the betterment of the people and bring about a prosperous state.
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi Performing the foundation stone laying of the Akpor Traditional Centre at Ozuoba in Obio -Akpor, weekend
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.
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.
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.