Politics
Wike Tasks Labour On Democracy
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has challenged Nigerian workers to rise up in defence of the nation’s democracy.
The Governor gave the charge Tuesday while addressing the affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) during the Workers Day Celebration held 1st May 2018 at the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Wike said the essence of labour unionism is not limited to the welfare of workers, agitation for increment of wages and promotions but should be the people’s voice in governance.
He expressed worry that labour has suddenly lost its voice in the midst of many anti-democratic policies of the APC-led Federal Government, saying the continued silence of labour is conspiratory.
“Be vigilant and defend our democracy in 2019. That is what labour is known for Labour, thrives for democracy.
Without democracy Labour will run into challenges,” he said.
The Governor promised to resolve issues raised by the unions especially those bothering on Contributory Pension Scheme, contributory Health Scheme and payment of gratuity to pensioners in the State.
He further expressed the support of the Rivers State Government to improve wages and welfare but insisted that the new minimum wage must be hinged on the ability of individual states.
Ahead of the Third Anniversary Celebration of Wike’s administration, the Governor inspected many ongoing projects to ascertain their level of completion as he disclosed that most of the projects would be commissioned during the anniversary.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of work executed at various projects sites.
Wike had stressed the need for peaceful congress of All Progressives Congress Party in Rivers State last week.
While wishing the party a successful congress the Governor advised APC members in the State to be law-abiding and not to conduct themselves in ways that could negatively affect the existing peace in the State.
He warned hoteliers against allowing their facilities to be used in fermenting trouble as was the case of Novotel Hotel’s involvement during last congress of APC in the State.
Rivers State Government, last week, came out with clear explanation on who should benefit from the N200 million monthly loan to traders and youth entrepreneurs.
At the last week Executive Council Meeting held Wednesday in Government House Port Harcourt, it stated that the loan is for both indigenes and non-indigenes in the State.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barr Emma Okah, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting said, “On the monthly N200 million interest free loans for traders and young entrepreneurs, council said that it must be made available to indigenes and non-indigenes.
“The terms of the loan will be flexible to generate business activities and profits for the beneficiaries. The loans will also enhance the economic well being of the traders and young entrepreneurs”.
The Commissioner further disclosed that apart from projects commissioning, the third year Anniversary of Wike’sd administration would feature hours to deserving persons, anniversary lecture and variety Night for youths.
Another major issue last week in Brick House was the visit of Korean investors in agriculture. A delegation of the investors led by Mr. Kin Kyochans paid a courtesy visit to the Governor, Saturday, in Government House to inform the Governor of their Rice Farm Project planned to operate in Emohua Local Government Area.
The project promises 2,000 employment to the State.
Wike commended the foreign investors for the initiative and said apart from government agriculture is the largest employer and that his administration pays great premium to the sector.
Chris Oluoh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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