Politics
Wike Congratulates Rivers Workers
The Workers Day Celebrations was the curtain raiser
last week in Government House. Governor Nyesom Wike issued a statement through his media aide congratulating workers with a pledge to always prioritise welfare of civil servants.
The governor urged Rivers workers to remain committed to the ideals of selfless service and development, noting that the process of massive development being witnessed across the state will be sustained. He particularly thanked the workers for their unflinching support to his administration since he assumed office.
Shortly after, Governor Wike attended the march past and parade of workers to commemorate the day at Gen. Gowon Stadium, Elekahia. Represented by his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, he described workers as an essential ingredient in the realization of a new Rivers State.
He called on the leadership of labour in the state to close ranks emphasizing that they can collectively achieve their goal for industrial harmony between government and workers.
On the same Sunday, wife of the governor, Justice Suzette Nyesom Wike attended the child dedication of Dr and Mrs Chika Chuku at St. Marks Anglican Church, Elelenwo. She promised that the state government led by her husband will sustain the flow of pro-people projects.
She said, “ I know the man I am married to, he is a determined and focused man. God will never let him down. He will continue to deliver in line with the promises he made to the people”.
Justice Nyesom-Wike called on the people to continue to pray for the governor for God’s grace to further the developmental feats attained by the administration.
Last Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George attended the World Press Freedom Day and was represented by Director of Public Enlightenment in the Ministry, Mr Paulinus Nsirim. Dr Tam-George urged journalists to perform their duties in line with the ethics of the profession.
The Commissioner pointed out that the future of the country lies in the hands of journalists who are expected to inform, educate and entertain the society. He therefore enjoined them to be bold and professional by undertaking investigative reports, assuring that the State Government will provide the necessary environment for them to carry out their duties.
Returning to the state on Friday after official duties outside, Governor Wike flagged-off a lottery programme organized by the Nigerian-Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) for intending Christian Pilgrims in the State. The governor announced that despite dwindling resources, the state government will continue to sponsor pilgrims to Jerusalem since Rivers State is totally a Christian State.
The governor at the function held at Dr Obi Wali Conference Centre announced plans by the State Government to send 200 youths to Israel for skills acquisition, adding that the skills will help the youths in self sustenance.
Wike also bought 150 lottery tickets for each of the 319 Ward of the state at the sum of N23 million. The tickets, he insisted, should be distributed to the less privileged and not to politicians.
Last Saturday, Governor Wike took time out to inspect ongoing projects in the state. Among some of the projects visited include the New Road at Borokiri, where he expressed satisfaction at the level of work done. He however directed that the drains be connected to the creeks and waterways to ensure effective drainage and reduction of flooding in the neighbourhood.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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