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Rivers @ 50: Assembly Holds Special Session …Lauds Govt For Actualising Founding Fathers’ Vision
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA)last Monday held a special plenary session to commemorate the State’s Golden Jubilee with the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani in his address x-rayed the symbolic implication of the Golden Jubilee.
Ibani explained that the celebration of Rivers State at 50 is a way of showing appreciation to the founding fathers’ struggles to liberate the people of the state from oppression and marginalisation, adding that the celebration also commemorates the triumphant arrival of Governor Nyesom Wike’s giant strides in just two years.
He said the Golden Jubilee is worth celebrating, despite the long years of military rule and bad governance, expressing optimism that the founding fathers’ labour would not be in vein.
The Assembly Speaker commended the executive arm led by Governor Wike for the development strides to justify the vision attached to the creation of Rivers State in 1967.
Ibani said the projects and programmes so far embarked upon by Governor Wike in his two years in office has justified the appropriations passed by the legislature in the two years of the administration.
The Speaker reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to playing significant roles in supporting the Executive to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Rivers’ people.
Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule chronicled the State legislature from 1979 to date, saying that the long years of military rule had affected negatively the existence of the legislative arm in the state.
According to him, there was nothing like legislative arm when the state was created in 1967, until 1979, when the first Assembly was inaugurated to make laws for effective governance of the state.
Amawehule who commended the giant development strides of Governor Wike in just two years in office, urged the members irrespective of party line to give the current administration supports for effective governance of the state.
The former Deputy Speaker of the second Assembly, Rt. Hon. Irk Orji on behalf of the former Speakers and Deputy Speakers in the State commended Governor Wike for even development to justify the Golden Jubilee.
He also commended the 8th Assembly for giving effective legislative backup to the executive to perform in the state.
He said Governor Wike has shown to the world that the essence of government is to ensure benefits to the people, urging the legislature and the judiciary to maintain their support to enable the Executive Governor to develop the state further.
The former lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly applauded Governor Nyesom Wike for actualising the vision of the founding fathers of the state, through infrastructural development.
Speaking for the lawmakers at the special plenary session of the 8th Assembly to commemorate Rivers Golden Jubilee last Monday in Port Harcourt, a member of the Sixth Assembly, Hon. Tony Opiah said Governor Wike’s commitment to developing the state has shown that the Governor has the same vision with the founding fathers of the state, whose struggle was geared toward the liberation of Rivers’ people from injustice, oppression and marginalization.
He commended Governor Wike for leading Rivers State uprightly in the area of development and fight against injustice in the state.
Opiah who acknowledged the fact that justice is the hallmark of peace and unity called on Rivers’ people to shun any act that would lead to injustice for peace to reign in the state.
According to him, 50 years of existence is enough to build an egalitarian state, where all citizens should have equal stakes and opportunities.
The former lawmakers also commended the 8th Assembly for its commitment for legislative support to Governor Wike on dividends of democracy in the state.
Opiah who recalled several bills so far passed into laws by the current legislative, said those laws are catalysts to the rapid developmental strides in the state.
Also Speaker, the Minority Leader of the 8th Assembly, Hon. Benibo Anabraba expressed the need to use the Golden Jubilee to reform policies that would be labour- friendly in the state.
Anabraba called for the review of the Nigerian Constitution to allow labour policy to be brought to the concurrent list from the Exclusive list of government.
He said, Rivers state at 50th is worth celebrating, despite the challenges confronting the state.
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.