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Wike’s 2nd Term Inauguration: RSG Unveils Activities …Wike Pledges Focus On Security, Agriculture
The Rivers State Government has confirmed that preparations are now in top gear to ensure a befitting second term inauguration of Chief Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State and Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo as Deputy Governor of Rivers State, on May 29, 2019.
It would be recalled that May 29, 2019 would also mark the 4th anniversary in office of the Wike administration.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, yesterday, indicated that the events would start on Thursday, 23rd May, 2019, with a variety night with the governor at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre at 7pm.
“This will be followed Friday, 24th May, 2019 by a novelty football match at Sharks Stadium at 4pm.
“A Thanksgiving Church Service will come up on Saturday, 25th May, 2019 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium (formerly Liberation Stadium), Port Harcourt at 9am,” the statement said.
According to the statement, “A public lecture and book presentation will hold on Monday, 27th May, 2019 at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt at 10am
“On Wednesday 29th May, 2019, the Inauguration will hold at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt at 10am while the Inaugural/4th Anniversary Banquet (restricted to invited guests) will take place later in the evening at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt at 7pm,” Okah added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has advised the numerous beneficiaries of the various Rivers State interest-free loans to be prudent with the money given to them to advance and expand their businesses in order to improve their living conditions.
This advise was given in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
According to Okah, so much was expected of the beneficiaries of the traders and young entrepreneurs loan scheme because the bedrock of any economy was the active participation of small scale players in the economic chain of any society.
The commissioner explained that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike believed that the private sector should be encouraged and given a boost to drive certain sectors of the economy as it was impossible to engage everybody in the public sector of the state.
“It is for this reason that the state government approved the interest-free N500million doctors’ loan; N100million monthly revolving interest-free loan to civil servants; N200million revolving interest-free loan to traders and young entrepreneurs”, Okah said.
“The successful performance of these loans will give the necessary vigour and translate to a positive economic growth for the good of the people and our state”, Okah added.
It would be recalled that the state government had earlier paid the sum of N500million to women petty traders to support their businesses.
Similarly, the governor had also given some N200,000 to N300,000 to each of the traders at the Fruit Garden Market in D/Line area of Port Harcourt, whose shops were razed by fire late last year.
Some of the traders, who were affected by the inferno got higher grant while he government also gave financial support to those who trade along the road and were not affected by the unfortunate fire outbreak.
Meanwhile,the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that his administration would focus on security and agriculture during his second term.
Addressing journalists after projects’ inspection, last Monday, Wike added that his administration would also continue to develop the education and health sectors.
The governor said, “We believe that security is important and we believe that agriculture is key to making sure that we take our youths away from the streets.
“While we are continuing with education and health, security, agriculture and environmental sanitation will be given priority attention.
“Port Harcourt must not continue the way it is. People trading on the streets make Port Harcourt dirty. Cleaning up the city will be a special project. We will not allow Port Harcourt to continue to be dirty.”
Wike said that his administration would be very decisive on stopping street trading in the state capital and its environs.
The governor said during his first term, the administration started from the beginning because it was laying foundation which was absent at the time he took over.
Wike inspected the Real Madrid Football Academy, Judges’ Quarters and the Fruit Garden Market.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the project sites, adding that the projects would be commissioned after his inauguration for the second term.
The governor took out time during the projects’ inspection to interact with school children near the Real Madrid Football Academy and the Fruit Garden Market.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has sacked the Commissioner of Power, Hon Shedrach Chukwu.
The governor directed the sacked commissioner to submit all government documents and property in his possession to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Power.
This was contained in a statement by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, last Monday evening.
It would be recalled that the governor had before now, suspended some commissioners, including those of works, finance, among others, for non-performance.
He had also sacked some for the same reason, warning that his administration would not tolerate appointed officials who were not ready to deliver on their assigned mandates to meet the yearnings of Rivers people.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”