News
Wike Advocates True Federalism …As HOS, Others Chart Course For Growth
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called for urgent need by the Federal Government to address critical issues of fiscal federalism, corruption and injustice if Nigeria should move forward as a nation.
In an address shortly after taking national salute and march past for 56th Independence anniversary at the Sharks Stadium, Saturday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State governor said failure to address these areas have contributed hugely to slow progress of the nation.
He observed that the nation was sinking irreversibly down the abyss, stressing that only a united front will salvage the country, and set it on the path of growth.
The governor regretted that either by commission or omission, the Federal Government has dragged the country into its worst economic crisis where Nigerians find it difficult to feed.
In his special address during the 56th Independence celebration at the Sharks Stadium, Wike lamented that ordinary Nigerians are dying daily from ailments that are ordinarily curable.
The governor declared: “Just look at the situation of our country at this material time. Never in history has the seeds of disunity, distrust, hatred; intolerance, violence, and terrorism proliferated in our country than now, not even in the years of the civil war.
“By acts of omission or commission, the Federal Government has pushed the nation into its worst economic nightmare. With inflation on the loose, poverty is increasing as ordinary Nigerians are finding it difficult to have one decent meal in a day. Families are losing loved ones to curable ailments simply because they can no longer afford necessary medications to sustain their health and vitality.
“Worse still, just as our collective security is being threatened by the activities of motley terrorist groups, such as the Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen, most Nigerians are increasingly becoming disillusioned with the country’s failing national institutions, for their inability to mirror the nation’s character and values.”
He added: “It looks as if the country is sinking irreversibly into the abyss, but this is what happens when a country is economically weak and dependent. The need, therefore, for all of us to work together with the three levels of government, to deliver real and sustainable economic independence to our country and our people remains the greatest challenge before all.”
Wike said that the earlier the thorny issues affecting the nation are addressed, the better for the development of the country.
He noted that the people of Rivers State are proud of their contributions to the development and economic growth of Nigeria, pointing out that they deserve to be rewarded according to their inputs to the sustenance of the country.
“As Rivers people, we are proud of our contributions to the unity and progress of the Nigerian nation. We remain committed to preserving the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. All that we ask in return for our loyalty and commitment is justice, mutual respect and just recompenses for our contributions and sacrifices to the economic and social wellbeing of the country”, Wike said.
He explained that the Rivers State Government, through policies and programmes, has empowered the people and improved their living condition.
Wike said: “As a deliberate social policy, we concentrated more resources to improve physical and socio-economic infrastructure in the state. Accordingly, apart from several major roads that we have already completed and commissioned, work on all ongoing road projects spread is progressing very well”.
He pointed out that projects in the area of infrastructure, health and education have improved the living conditions of the people of Rivers State.
The 56th Independence anniversary celebration witnessed march pass by the police, paramilitary voluntary organisations and schools.
The governor also released the white pigeons signifying peace.
Meanwhile, Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, has said that Rivers State has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s existence for the past 56 years.
Godwins while calling for prayers for the country, urged Nigerians not to lose hope, noting that,”some countries would have split due to some of the challenges we have here.”
He urged the country leaders to learn from the Wike administration in the state by utilizing the little resources available to better lot of the state.
On her part, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimim Jacks, suggested that the country should exploit agric as a way to overcome its economic challenges.
She said, “A lot has been said about swindling resources because the emphasis has been much on oil. We should be talking about agriculture now, and that for me, is the way to go. An investment in agriculture, if put together, is sustainable, and can create a lot of jobs.”
For the paramour ruler of Abua Kingdom, King Kale Ogbuge, every country faces one challenge or the other at one point, hence there is need to put hands together to move the country forward.
Ogbuge called for more efforts to develop the rail system to link all state capitals, in order to reduce pressure on available roads.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.