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Rivers Women Dump APC For PDP …Endorse Wike For Second Term …As ONELGA Women Hail Gov For Restoring Peace
Thousands of women members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State last Monday, dumped their party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The women mostly drawn from the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state defected during a thank-you-visit of ONELGA women to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for restoring peace to the local government area.
Spokesperson of the decampees, Gladys Ajie said their decision to defect was predicated on the good works done by the governor.
She said: “You are, indeed, a good man, and we have seen what you have done.
“We have been under bondage of APC and have come today to surrender.
“Since we do not have peace in APC, we have decided to come to PDP”.
Responding to the decampees, Governor Nyesom Wike and the state PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, welcomed the decampees to PDP, and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
Obuah asked the decampees to drop the brooms they were clinching in their hands.
“You are covered by the great umbrella. I want to assure you, after today, join them to wear Rivers and ONELGA colour. I assure you of the dividends of democracy”, Obuah said.
Thousands of women from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) had stormed Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, to pay a thank-you-visit to Governor Nyesom Wike for restoring peace and security in the area.
The women also lauded the governor for his outstanding performance, and endorsed him for a second term in office.
Spokesperson of the group, Dr. Grace Akolokwu said the women, numbering about 30,000, were drawn from various groups in the six geographical zones to appreciate the governor for his timely intervention in arresting the security challenges that plagued the local government area for over eight years, and subsequent restoration of peace.
Akolokwu said: “The criminal breaches saw our homeland battered, lives and property destroyed; economic activities disrupted”.
She also noted that subsistence agriculture and small scale commercial and other businesses which were hallmarks of the rural women were completely dislocated, thereby, turning most of the rural women and children into internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The ONELGA women spokesperson said with the intervention of the governor, the ugly story changed as peace has returned to the area with schools re-opened and socio-economic life, back to normalcy.
“As women of ONELGA, we hereby convey our sincere thanks for successfully initiating the peace process and for rebuilding our LGA as major economic centre of the state through the award of several physical infrastructure projects and empowerment programmes”, Akolokwu stated.
She listed Omoku–Egbema dual carriage road, Akabuka-Okposi road expansion and upgrade, Omoku Modern Zonal Hospital, Omoku internal roads, the shore protection and erosion control projects, amongst others, as key projects embarked upon by the governor in the area.
The group, however, appealed for a special grant to execute and complete drinking water processing scheme, emergence of a woman as the next chairman of the Local Government Council, stressing that like all internally displaced persons, ONELGA women request special package from the governor to effectively recover.
The women urged Wike to heed the call to contest for a second term to enable him continue the good works he was doing for the people.
The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike while responding, announced the setting up of a fund to assist the less privileged recover from the negative effect of the prolonged insecurity in the area, and advised them to use the funds wisely to better their lives.
“We are committed to the empowerment of women. We shall, therefore, set up a fund that will give grants to women of ONELGA because of the insecurity challenges they faced. Please, invest the funds wisely”, he pleaded.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Water Resources to work with stakeholders in the area to set up a water processing plant, and assured ONELGA people that his administration will continue to work towards the improvement of security for economic stability in ONELGA.
The governor said; “I will not sit down in Government House and allow criminals torment the people. Wherever these criminals are, we will track them down”.
In appreciation of the governor’s efforts, the women presented a special plaque to him.
Chris Oluoh
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.