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Urban Dev: Oyo Govt Hails Wike’s Giant Strides …As More Rivers Communities Back Gov’s 2nd Term Bid
The Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor and Director General of Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning, Waheed Badamosi has lauded Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his outstanding projects delivery and urban renewal programmes that have transformed Port Harcourt City.
Speaking after a study tour of the master-plan implementation process in Rivers State, last Wednesday, Badamosi said that the likes of Wike were needed across the country to speed up national development.
He said: “The man is a workaholic as I have seen today. What I have seen today and yesterday speak volumes that the Rivers State governor has performed beautifully well.
“I wish him well and I think this is the kind of people we should have all over Nigeria, so that our country can grow to greater heights”.
He stated that they were in Rivers State to understudy the urban development techniques applied by the Rivers State Government for the purpose of applying same in Oyo State for the good of their people.
He noted that they were in Rivers State as a learning process, especially to gain from the experience of Rivers State in the implementation of different master-plans.
“We are not interested in what political party rules a particular state. What we are interested is, are you doing it right? We want to see how you are doing it right, hence we have come to Rivers State”, he said.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason Onya said physical planning, which started in 1913 in Port Harcourt, has reached its peak under the transformational leadership of Wike.
He noted that the insightful leadership of the governor attracted the Oyo State Government, which has resolved to emulate the Rivers State Urban Development Template.
“The Oyo State Government felt that they should come here to take a template of what we are doing and take it back to their state as regards the master-plan they are developing.
“They deemed it appropriate to see how the Government of Governor Wike is carrying out the physical planning of Port Harcourt”, he said.
Onya expressed happiness that state governments from different political platforms were developing a synergy for national growth.
“Oyo State is an APC State and Rivers State is a PDP state, but the two states are synergizing to enhance development. We are working out a situation where other states will emulate what Rivers State and Oyo states are doing”, he said.
Meanwhile, the people of Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have resolved to re-elect Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the strength of his outstanding execution of projects in the area.
Similarly, Eleme people have assured the governor that they would deploy the relevant resources to ensure his re-election in 2019.
Speaking after a project assessment tour, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Mr Obinna Anyanwu has lived up to his promises to the Etche people, hence the decision to support his re-election.
He said: “The governor is a giver. Governor Wike has given so much to the good people of Etche and what we owe him is to vote him again in 2019.
“Come 2019, the good people of Etche LGA will deliver 100 per cent to Governor Wike. We want to say thank you for the hospital at Okehi. Our thank you will not be complete with our votes to the governor in 2019”.
The Etche Local Government Area chairman noted that the only way the people of the area can enjoy more projects is when Wike is re-elected.
Akubueze One, Charity Nwala and Justina Nwalozie, who are indigenes of Etche Local Government Area, also declared their support for the re-election of Wike, citing the execution of numerous projects in the area as the reason for their decision.
The Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Barrister Philip Okparaji announced that Eleme people are solidly behind a second term for the governor.
He said that the Eleme-Oyigbo road nearing completion has improved the economic wellbeing of the people of the area.
He said: “The Eleme people are solidly behind the governor. There is no doubt that the governor has performed to the satisfaction of Eleme people and all of us are in support of a second term for him.
“Governor Wike has brought development to the people of Rivers State. There is no alternative to Governor Wike”.
Also speaking on the Eleme-Oyigbo road, Eze Onyeaba said before the intervention of Governor Wike, the road was a security nightmare.
He said following the reconstruction of the road, the security challenge on the road has been resolved and the economy of the area back on track.
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.