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Senate Bars NNPC, Others From Spending Money

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9 years ago

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The management of Rivers Transport Company (RTC) is to introduce new routes to ease transport difficulties in the remote areas of the state,including riverine communities.
The Board chairman of the Company, Chief Ibe Eresia-Eke, disclosed this when the National Executive Committee of Egi People’s Assembly (EPA) led by its President-General, Apostle Magus Elemele, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Port Harcourt, recently
Eresia-Eke said when the plan materialized, Egi community would not be left, say that apart from relieving the people from transport difficulties it would also serve as source of job creations for teeming youths of Rivers.
“Towards this end, it is expected that Rivers people will support and encourage the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as he gradually unfolds welfare package for the people”.
Speaking on Egi People’s Assembly, the chairman said it was formed to address the issue of backwardness and development of Egi ethnic group, therefore those elected to pilot its affairs should remain focused.
He said for “ you to remain relevant, you should remain focused, articulate, straightforward, and cohesive strategically identifying those issues that destroyed fast organisations in Egiland and tactically avoid them.
When you have done this, “as a preliminary ground work in your service to the people, be assured that the elders and elites of the clan would be ready to offer their supports.”
Eresia-Eke who is also a trustee of the organisation, pointed out that the clan is encumbered with numerous challenges which could only be solved through sincerity of purposes and effective administration.
He advised them not to be daunted by critics and opposition as that would provide the leeway to success but stressed the need to be accountable to the people, and avoid selfish ventures.
Earlier, Apostle Magnus Elemele had said, the visit was to congratulated Chief Eresia-Eke on his new appointment and also to give a brief on the activities of the national executives which was elected a few months ago.
Elemele said the major challenge when the Exco came on board was insecurity and the unpatriotic activities of those who erroneously “believed that without them the clan will not move forward”.
He outlined some achievements recorded so far to include reconciliation process among some aggrieved groups, the release of signed MOU of 2012 gas eruption with TOTAL, and provison. relief materials to displaced people of Egi.
In another development, a foremost educationist, Elder Isaac Izeogu has urged the leadership of Egi People’s Assembly not to betray the trust placed on them by the generality of Egi people..
Izeogu, a retired school principal, who spoke to the National Executive Council of Egi People’s Assembly led by Apostle Magnus Elemele who visited him in his residence in PortHarcourt, said “the dream, and principles behind the formation of the organisation by the founding fathers must be upheld”.
“Don’t allow this noble project to die in your hands, because without coming together, abandoning personal interest, and reasoning together for the progress and development of our clan, generations to come will not be happy with you”.
He commended the efforts and sacrifice being put in place to restore the lost glory of Egi clan, wishing them God’s guidance and protection saying “I will always attend all your programmes and your activities when informed.
Earlier, Apostle Elemele had told him that the visit was to tap from his wealth of knowledge, and to seek his advice on numerous problems confronting the clan, saying a forum is in the pipeline where all the boards of trustees in which he is a member would be invited to a formal meeting with the executives.

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Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.06%

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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Three States Record Lowest rates Published 16 Mar 2026 By  Dave Ibemere 3 min read The NBS has revealed that inflation rates dropped again in February 2026 The bureau noted that both headline and food inflation eased on a year-on-year basis Inflation was lowest in Katsina, Imo, and Ebonyi, while the highest was recorded in Kogi.
 Nigerian economy, the stock market, and broader market trends. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s inflation rate slowed further in February 2026. According to the bureau in its latest CPI report, the headline inflation dropped slightly to 15.06% from 15.10% in January 2026. Nigeria’s inflation eases to 15%, offering relief to households. It was 11.21 percentage points lower than the 26.27% recorded in February 2025. From breaking news to viral moments.  On a month-on-month basis, inflation stood at 2.01% in February, up from -2.88% in January, showing that prices rose at a faster pace than the previous month. Nigerian stock market records weekly gain as turnover hits N164.8billion Urban vs Rural Inflation NBS noted that urban inflation stood at 15.53% year-on-year, down from 28.49% in February 2025, while rural inflation was 13.93%, compared with 22.73% in the same period last year. Every month, urban inflation rose to 2.55% in February from 2.72% in January, while rural inflation eased to 0.71% from -3.29%. Food Inflation Food inflation dropped to 12.12% year-on-year in February, down sharply from 26.98% in February 2025. Monthly, food prices rose by 4.69%, higher than the -6.02% recorded in January. The NBS attributed the moderation to slower price increases in staples such as beans, cassava tuber, yam flour, crayfish, millet flour, cowpeas, and okazi leaf. The twelve-month average for food inflation was 19.08%, compared with 37.40% in February 2025. States breakdown for All Items The states with the highest all-items inflation rates were: Kogi (23.57%) Benue (22.85%) Anambra (22.09%) The lowest rates were recorded in: READ ALSO Naira appreciates by N27 against US dollar as external reserves cross $50bn Katsina (7.78%) Imo (11.66%) Ebonyi (11.71%) On a month-on-month basis, the highest increases were in Enugu (5.92%), Ogun (4.39%), and Anambra (4.11%), while declines were seen in Zamfara (-2.14%), Bauchi (-1.23%), and Katsina (-1.06%). Food staples contribute less to inflation as prices moderate in February. Photo: Bloomberg Source: Getty Images State Breakdown for Food Inflation Food inflation was highest in: Kogi (26.91%) Adamawa (23.12%) Benue (21.89%) The lowest food inflation rates were seen in: Katsina (5.09%) Bauchi (7.09%) Imo (7.65%) Month-on-Month Food Inflation The states with the highest month-on-month increases in food inflation were: Bayelsa (8.81%) Ebonyi (8.51%) Edo (7.72%) The states that recorded declines were: Katsina (-0.70%) Nasarawa (0.17%) Kano (1.39%) Food price changes across markets in Nigeria Earlier, The  Tide source reported that due to Ramadan, staple food prices across the country are recording sharp increases as Muslims begin the Ramadan fasting season Ramadan is not only a period of abstinence from food and drink, but also a time for ‘reflection, discipline and heightened devotion’ Several traders in Abuja, Taraba, and Kaduna states are taking advantage and have hiked price. The NBS has revealed that inflation rates dropped again in February 2026 The bureau noted that both headline and food inflation eased on a year-on-year basis Inflation was lowest in Katsina, Imo, and Ebonyi, while the highest was recorded in Kogi.
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NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes On Investment In The Region 

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture  (NDCCTMA), and the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Domestic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The bodies made the call at a Business Round Table organized by NDDCTMA, in Port Harcourt.
Chairman of NDDCTMA, Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can  do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here.”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase”, he stated.
Ogan noted that the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where saying “that is why we are gathered here in this room”.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment  as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city, we have gone to Lagos,we have moved  our families to Abuja and Lagos. If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
By; John Bibor
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Cash Handouts Unproductive For Sustainable Agricultural Development – Engineer Kii

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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Rivers State by its natural disposition is gifted with strategic economic advantage, particularly in  agricultural potentials and fortunes. This informs successive governments’ interest in  developing the agricultural sector, such as the School to Land Program, the Shongai Project, among several others.
The objective is to engender and leverage the sector  beyond mere subsistence practices into a full thriving economy, with the engagement and involvement of the youthful and productive population.
The Farm to Future Agro Based Training for Rivers youths by the present administration is notably one of the most pragmatic efforts of the Rivers State Government to engage the prospective creative capital of both the natural and human resources in the agricultural sector for sustainable development.
The concept, premised on the imperative of maximizing the huge agrarian prowess of the state, targets creation of sustainable livelihood for the teeming youth of the state. The project is also intended to achieve the chore needs of food sufficiency and job creation in the state.
This implies a significant deviation from the acculturised norm of expectations of financial benefits as the outcome of government programs and policies.
The tenets of the program are expressly difined in concept and practice as shown in the phases of its execution.
However, some beneficiaries of the project recently staged a protest, allegdging unpaid largesse, diversion of funds and perceived slighting by the Rivers State Ministry of agriculture. The said protest has stirred up concerns among stakeholders about how people view  government policies.
Many see the protest  as an attempt to create tension around the program and sabotage its original objectives.
Stakeholders and commentators are of the view that the Rivers State is in dire need of development in every critical sector, as such the  Ministry of Agriculture and its partners should be given the benefit of the doubt to implement the project to its logical conclusion without being hauled with accusations.
The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Engineer Victor Kii who was at the fore of driving the program has in a press statement debunked the allegations and sued for calm, restraint and understanding. Engineer Kii assured the participants that the empowerment phase will be implemented as soon as administrative normalcy is restored.
He commended the participants for their commitment and discipline during the training and urged them to uphold the norms of the program rather than misrepresenting its intentions.
Some pundits who commented on the recent development decried the fact that many people  still hold on to the notion that  incentives billed to create sustainable impact through skills based programs, should be given out as  largess, without adroit supervision of its utility function. This practice  has however created a culture of economic doldrum, dependency and servitude in the past.
Thus the idea of seen the Rivers Farm to Future project  as a mere quixotic experiment for cash benefits  without achieving set goals is counter productive. Such opportunistic thinking have stunted government efforts  over the years in achieving long term objectives of development.
As disclosed by the former commissioner for Agriculture in his detailed explanation, the Farm to Future project was strategically designed to address this culpable deficit in institutional planning and consolidation of results.
The former commissioner gave an  explicit description of the nexus of operation of the program.
As revealed by him;  ” The program is a strategic intervention to equip young people in Rivers with practical skills and to nurture a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. 500 beneficiaries received intensive agri business training in the first phase.”
 He pointed out that the program was conceived and designed in line with global best practices which de emphasizes indiscriminate cash handouts for beneficiaries. Rather it promotes practical engagements in agricultural activities and business initiatives.
At the end of the training in February, beneficiaries were encouraged either individually or in cooperative clusters to identify value chain for establishment of viable businesses.
They were also asked to produce structured business proposals for perusal and review by the ministry of agriculture and appointed consultants, after which successful proposals would be forwarded to the Bank of Agriculture with Rivers State Government providing guarantees.
The strategies for implementation include field inspections and evaluation for beneficiaries who had already commenced practical activities in identified locations.
The approach was to discourage the commonplace ideology of diverting funds meant for specific projects for unrelated purposes, thereby undermining the conscious exploration of creative potentials into long term benefits.
The process was however temporary interrupted by the dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council and the ongoing renovation of the Rivers State Secretariat complex but the profound optimism and positive expectations that are the hallmark of the project remains sacrosanct.
Engineer Kii assures.
By: Beemene Taneh
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