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Another First 100th Day Mark: As Wike Reinvents Rivers
This week will witness a water mark in the history of the Rivers State with the second term of the Wike administration running into its first 100 days. This time around, the good people of Rivers State will not miss out on a harvest of programmes and projects that will be recorded in favour of the administration. Ranging from roads to public buildings and even markets, the list of such landmark endeavours is nothing but impressive. Although most of such projects under consideration were started and completed during the first term, the seeming adoption of the maxim that ‘action speaks louder than words’, by the administration, may account for its muted stand on the fanfare that should have celebrated the completion of each of them. Hence, even if the administration does not celebrate its accomplishments on individual basis, the beneficiary, Rivers people do so in their individual capacities.
As an original ‘Port Harcourt (Town) Boy’ from pre-Civil War years, this author enjoys the privilege of having witnessed the undulating fortunes of the Rivers State in general and Port Harcourt in particular. He can therefore vouch authoritatively that the Wike administration is driving a reinvention agenda for the state. And hate him or like him, the tell-tale signs of that dispensation, are all too obvious to be missed. After all, was it not a renowned minister of the gospel that recently pointed out that nobody can successfully argue against hard, real life evidence?
While space may fail this piece to outline all of the projects, the mention of just a few will serve. Take for instance the Rumuwoji Market popularly miscalled ‘Mile One Market’, which remains iconic in the complement of Wike’s administrative style. Given the convoluted history of the market – at least, since efforts to restructure the facility in recent times, its story has been one of unending concern over several setbacks including fire outbreaks, political intrigues and policy somersaults by previous administrations. Compared to its previous state which was described by Wikipedia as one of Africa’s largest open markets, Wike’s intervention has turned it – perhaps into one of the continent’s most improved shopping facilities. Complete with all the relevant support facilities for such a project, including a firefighting capability, clinic and security provisions, the market is simply a world class shopping centre – a far cry from the Wikipedia description.
Moving over to the Fruit Garden along Kaduna Street is another sweet experience in tracking government in action. Until it was burnt down in a fire incident in 2018, the Fruit Garden Market was simply a typical African-style,railroad-side, collection of make shift shanty stalls, and expanded on a daily basis. This was until it became simply unmanageable and a problem for the flow of traffic along Kaduna street Road and adjoining areas of ‘D Line’. Today, the Wike touch has transformed it into an architectural masterpiece that is fit for the beautification of any city in the world.
Leaving the market scene, one can mention the new Woji- Akpajo Dual Carriage Expressway. Combining its new state with the renovated Old Refinery Road which traverses Elelenwo Town and links the Oil Mill Junction and Akpajo, the result has been a complete and unprecedented make-over of the entire environment, with the upsurge in business startups completing the picture of a reinvention tale. And as it is with the few mentioned projects so it is for other areas of intervention by the administration.
However, it may be inequitable for the administration if its credit rating is confined to just physical projects, as actual administrative style and efforts also define the integrity of any administration. Hence, for the administration, the restoration of sanity on the streets of Port Harcourt also qualifies for mention. For the past fortnight, the administration has been engaged in a series of face-offs with hordes of street traders and its roadside artisans who with impunity turned Port Harcourt and its environs into a free for all theatre of the absurd. Daunting as the task of reining in street traders and artisans may be, the approach by the governor created significant relief to both the enforcers and the affected, in the push for a cleaner Port Harcourt.
He had started with facilitating enabling laws for the exercise given the absence of same in the state’s statute books. This approach not only guaranteed the compliance with procedure by all actors in the exercise, but went further to accentuate a law abiding disposition of the governor. With such an approach, he instills confidence across the State, that come what may, he will stand on the side of the law.
An immediate spin-off this disposition came into play with the recent stir over the alleged demolition of a mosque in the Trans Amadi area of Port Harcourt. In spite of the attacks on the administration and even his person from interests across the country and even beyond, the only defence was based on the position of the law on the matter. And given the course of events all through his first term and the newly commenced second one, it is to state the obvious that the days of trial for his administration are not over. In fact in all realism, suffice it to be stated that more shall come and perhaps even in more sophisticated forms and shapes.
Meanwhile, until such come his way, let all of Rivers State mark the passage of the first 100days of Wike’s second term with optimism, as the African proverb says that ‘a chick that will be a cock in future, can be identified soon after being hatched’.
Monima Daminabo
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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