Politics
Wike To Commence Sixth Flyover Project
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has announced the intention of his administration to embark on the sixth flyover project in the state.
Speaking last week, during the commissioning ceremony of Rebisi flyover, one of the five flyover projects which he is executing simultaneously in the state, Gov. Wike disclosed that he would start the sixth flyover project at Kaduna Street located at CFC/Corpus Christi bus stop.
“ I want to start the sixth flyover project in this Kaduna bridge here. By December, we have to commission Okoro-nu- Odu flyover. By February, we have to commission Rumuogba and Rumuola; by March -April, we will commission the GRA flyover”, he said.
The sixth flyover project would involve expansion of the flyover to enhance traffic flow in the area.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who commissioned the 969.4 metres long Rebisi flyover, commended Gov. Wike for what he described as a massive urban regenerating and renewal programme of the Governor.
The Minister earlier visited the Rumuogba, Okoro-nu-Odu, Rumuola, and GRA Junction flyover projects.
Also last week, Gov. Wike redeemed the pledge he made to the families of the slain security officers who were allegedly killed by members of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra IPOB), by officially donating the sum of N20 million to each of the affected ten families, totalling N200million.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo made the presentation before the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan at Headquarters of the State Police Command and the 6 Division of Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt.
The Governor reassured the army and Police that his administration would always stand with them to fight crime in the state.
Within the week under review, the Rivers State Chief Executive was also in Sokoto on the invitation of the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal to flag off projects and also Commission completed projects.
Gov. Wike laid foundation for the 950 beds Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital at Kasarawa, and flagged off the dualisation of Waziri Abbas Road in Sokoto City.
He also commissioned Semi Urban 1.5 million gallons per day water scheme at Bodinga in Bodinga Local Government Area,
The Rivers State Security Council, last week, relaxed the 24 hour curfew which was imposed on the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area following the killing of ten security operatives by the proscribed IPOB.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim disclosed this last Tuesday while briefing Government House Correspondents.
He stated that from last Wednesday, the the curfew would begin from 7 pm to 6am. He said apart from losing ten security operatives, 50 Ak 47 rifles were carted away by the criminals, hence the security agencies in the area would continue to embark on surveillance and search operations to recover the said rifles which are now in illegal possession of some persons.
Another major event last week in Brick House was the courtesy visit by the Primate of the All Nigerian Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Chukwuka Ndukuba.
While addressing the delegation of men of God, Gov. Wike urged the church to continue to pray for the nation because of the critical times she is passing through.
He called on those agitating for secession to rather strive for restructuring in order to foster much desired unity. He particularly regretted the criminal activities of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra which undermines the peace in the state.
Earlier, the Primate had lauded Gov. Wike on the steps he took on some critical issues and urged him not to relent.
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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