Politics
Mitee Hails Wike Over Projects
With a visit to the various ongoing health facilities’ rehabilitation projects, Governor Nyesom Wike began activities in Government House last Sunday.
Shortly after inspecting works at some of the hospitals, the governor had a chat with Government House Correspondents. He noted that, among the hospitals being rehabilitated are zonal hospitals, that will provide tertiary and secondary healthcare to the people.
“Work has gone far in these hospitals. We are remodeling the hospitals and ensuring that we revive healthcare across the state.”
Chief Wike, last Monday, played host to the new commander of the 115 Special Operations Group of the Nigerian Airforce, Air Commodore Mahmud Madi.
He praised the effort and gallantry of the Airforce in dislodging terrorists in the North East part of the country saying “without your airpower, it would have been difficult to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists.”
The governor added, “I want to commend the Nigerian Airforce for the sacrifices you have made for the security of the country. Please keep it up.”
In order to ascertain the level of work at the ongoing Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty at the old Port Harcourt Township area, Chief Wike inspected the site and addressed youths and traders in the area last Tuesday.
The governor assured them that the project is for the overall benefit of the residents of the area and the riverine communities of Bonny Island, Bille and Nembe in Bayelsa State. He wondered why youths in the community have refused to be employed by the contractor, preferring to act as stumbling blocks to the smooth execution of the project.
There was a State Executive Council meeting last Wednesday and the State Information/Communications Commissioner, Dr. Austin Tam-George-briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting presided over by the governor Wike.
Dr. Tam-George said that a 15-member committee for the second year celebration of the Wike led administration has been constituted.
The committee is headed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government as Chairman while the Commissioner for Housing will serve as Secretary, Commissioners for Information, Works, Sports, Women Affairs, Head of Service, and a Permanent Secretary among others were included as members.
Former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee was a guest of the governor last Wednesday.
Mitee later accompanied Chief Wike to inspect some ongoing projects, which incude the rehabilitation of the Abacha Raod in new GRA in Port Harcourt, the Pleasure Park and State Ecumenical Centre.
Impressed by what he saw, Mitee told newsmen, “This is fantastic, I am impressed. I’m excited by the level of work going on in the state.”
Adding, “the governor has struck a balance of infrastructure with the resources. Therefore, he is able to carry out projects.”
The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt came calling last Thursday. Governor Wike used the visit to lampoon the – Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom over the recent killings in his state.
Chief Wike observed that Ortom has lost control of his state security and recalled that when similar incidence took place in the state, Ortom, instead of suing for peace, called for emergency rule in Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo played host to a delegation of Medical Women who were on an advocacy visit to her. She noted that although efforts have been made to reduce cases of violence against women and the girl child there is still the need to strengthen awareness.
The governor through the deputy governor, addressed the 31st Convocation Granduands of the University of Port Harcourt last Saturday. He said his administration is investing heavily in the education sector due to the fact that education is key in societal development.
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.
-
News3 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime3 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News3 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News3 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News3 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime3 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment