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Participate In Voter Registration, Banigo Urges Rivers People …As INEC Begins Exercise
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.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.
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