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Participate In Voter Registration, Banigo Urges Rivers People …As INEC Begins Exercise

Published

9 years ago

April 28, 2017

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, began the nationwide continuous voter registration exercise, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has called on the people of the state to participate massively in the exercise to enable them vote in the 2019 general elections.
In a statement at Government House, Port Harcourt, Banigo, particularly urged the people of Degema Local Government Area, and Rivers West Senatorial District, to come out enmasse and register during the exercise, to enable them vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general elections.
The deputy governor enjoined traditional rulers, politicians and other stakeholders in the state to mobilise their subjects who are 18 years and above as well as those who have lost their voter’s cards to ensure that they embrace the exercise in order not to only maintain the state’s voting strength but improve on it.
She advised the people to be responsive to the registration exercise and not to be passive as experienced in the past, emphasizing that prompt attention should be given to the exercise as it remains critical to the promotion of a vibrant democracy.
Banigo also urged INEC to ensure that it provides the necessary materials and logistics needed for a hitch-free registration exercise, contending that ghost names should not be registered with the aim of rigging the 2019 general elections.
Meanwhile, the ongoing continuous voters’ registration exercise will be carried out by permanent staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who have been carefully selected and trained to ensure a hitch-free performance, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, has said.
Ikoiwak, who stated this, yesterday, during the flag-off ceremony of the continuous voters’ registration exercise in Port Harcourt, assured that the commission will ensure that citizens who turn up for the exercise at various local government area offices receive optimum attention and service.
The INEC boss stressed that the exercise provides the opportunity for qualified citizens to be participants in the election of their representatives at all levels.
The Rivers State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oliver Worlugbom, also commended the aggressive approach of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Nigerians obtained their voter cards.
Worlugbom, who stated this, yesterday, during the official flag-off of the continuous voters’ cards, assured that his agency will continue to embark on aggressive enlightenment and sensitization for a full participation of the exercise.
He noted that democracy commenced from this process, and Nigerians should ensure that they did not disfranchise themselves, adding that without a voters’ card, you cannot vote.
The NOA boss warned that no Nigerian should disfranchise themselves, adding that those who are up to 18 years of age, should participate and get their voters’ card.
According to him, ’’this exercise is an opportunity for the people to obtain the power, which the PVC gives them to elect their leaders by voting them’’.
Speaking on behalf of all the security agencies, the state Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Haruna Garba, said the security agencies will continue to carry out their civil responsibilities by ensuring that security was maintained during the exercise.
According to him, ’’We will not allow any lapses but ensure that law and order is maintain at all the centres in the state”.
Garba noted that the security agencies cannot do it alone but solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders for the process to be hitch-free.
He, however, said for the nation to achieve a better democracy, all hands must be on deck, stressing that the security agencies are always at alert, and will continue to do their best in ensuring a better nation.
However, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, has said that the beauty of the continuous voters’ registration exercise is that it will be carried out by permanent staff of the commission.

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.