Politics
Wike Tasks Varsities On Skills, Job Creation
The birthday celebration of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Sunday, set the tone for activities in Government House, Port Harcourt, last week as friends and political associates converged in his official residence to felicitate with him and his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike.
Governor Wike used the event to acknowledge God’s benevolence towards him and his family particularly in becoming the Governor of Rivers State.
Noting that in his political journey, he had passed through several persecutions, the Governor said such experiences would not deter him from standing firmly on the part of truth and justice to defend the interest of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who spoke on behalf of the State Executive Council, described Governor Wike as a friend and leader who is focused, vibrant and determined to fulfil his promises to Rivers people.
Governor Wike, who is the visitor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, was at the institution’s 32nd Convocation ceremony held last Tuesday.
In his address, he stressed the need for tertiary institutions in the country to focus on skills and job creation so that graduates would be self reliant .
The Rivers State Chief Executive assured that the state government would do its best to make the institution one of the best , stressing that funds for provision of necessary infrastructure and take off of academic activities in the three new campuses of the university in Etche, Emohua and Ahoada Local Government Areas of the state are already provided in the 2021 budget.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nlerum Okegbule disclosed that a total of 5,486 graduands were certified to be worthy in learning and character while 34 bagged first class..
In a similar vein, the Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to transform the state into the knowledge-base of the country.
Speaking at the 38th Convocation ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt which held last Saturday, Wike said he would ensure that all tertiary institutions were adequately staffed and equipped to enable them to deliver world-class education.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo commended the management for maintaining discipline and high ethical standard in the university.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele disclosed that 3,747 persons graduated and that 205 had PhD, 1,087 had Masters degree, 521 had Postgraduate diploma, 1,934 had Bachelor’s degree while 78 had First Class Honours degree.
Another major event, last week in Brick House was the 2021 Emblem Appeal Fund Launching to mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Governor Wike who donated N20 million to launch the emblem enjoined each of the 23 local government councils in the state to donate N1million in support of the Emblem Appeal Fund Launching.
Governor Wike also used the occasion to redeem the sum of N171million which he pledged to the Nigeria Legion for the scholarship scheme meant for the children of the war veterans.
The Governor stressed the need for government to institute an enduring reward system for war veterans to justify the ultimate sacrifices they made in keeping Nigeria safe and united.
Within the week under review, the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adango, was among the 72 newly sworn in Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Gov Wike led a delegation from the state that attended the inauguration ceremony held last Monday at the Supreme Court , Abuja.
By: Chris Oluoh
The Senate yesterday received the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu, marking the formal launch of the 2026 federal budget cycle.
In a letter addressed to the upper chamber, Tinubu said the submission complies with statutory requirements and sets out the fiscal parameters that will guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He explained that the MTEF/FSP outlines the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections, and spending priorities that will shape Nigeria’s fiscal direction over the next three years.
The letter was read during plenary by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document.
“It is with pleasure that I forward the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for the kind consideration and approval of the Senate.
“The 2026 to 2028 MTEF and FSP were approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 3, 2025, and the 2026 budget of the Federal Government will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions therein,” the President stated.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved the fiscal projections, pegging the oil benchmark price at $64.85 per barrel and adopting a budget exchange rate of ?1,512/$1 for 2026—figures expected to significantly shape revenue forecasts and expenditure planning.
After reading the President’s letter, Jibrin referred the document to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), with a directive to submit its report by Wednesday, December 17.
The Senate adjourned shortly after to allow committees to commence scrutiny of the fiscal framework and continue the ongoing screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Tinubu’s communication to the Senate came less than 24 hours after he transmitted the same MTEF/FSP documents to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The letter was read on the House floor by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who also urged timely legislative action as required by law.
The MTEF and FSP are statutory instruments mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and serve as the blueprint for Nigeria’s annual budgets.
They outline the government’s fiscal stance, macroeconomic assumptions, revenue frameworks, projected deficits, and sectoral priorities over a three-year period.
The Tide reports that approval by the National Assembly is a prerequisite for the executive to present the Appropriation Bill for the next fiscal year.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
-
Politics4 days agoSenate Receives Tinubu’s 2026-2028 MTEF/FSP For Approval
-
Sports4 days agoNew W.White Cup: GSS Elekahia Emerged Champions
-
Sports4 days agoAllStars Club Renovates Tennis Court… Appeal to Stop Misuse
-
Sports4 days ago
Players Battle For Honours At PH International Polo Tourney
-
News4 days agoRSG Lists Key Areas of 2026 Budget
-
Sports4 days ago
NFF To Discuss Unpaid Salaries Surrounding S’Eagles Coach
-
News4 days agoDangote Unveils N100bn Education Fund For Nigerian Students
-
Sports4 days ago
2025 AFCON: Things to know about Nigeria’s opponents In Group C
