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NDDC Not Birthright Of Any Ethnic Group Or State, Wike Cautions
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has condemned the posture of some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region that behave as if they own the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Wike said the commission belongs to all states in the region and no one particular ethnic group can assert itself as the dominant owner of the commission as has been observed of recent.
The governor made the declaration when he played host to the Interim Management Committee of NDDC on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike said members of those groups always kick against the appointment of people to head the commission because they feel such persons were not from core Niger Delta states, which he stated, must stop.
“Anybody can be appointed in Niger Delta. There are people who believe that if they appoint somebody from Edo or Cross River state, for example, they say no. That those people are not the core Niger Delta states. We must have to stop that.”
The governor said that such people also leave their states and come to Rivers State to block the gates of the commission, cause crisis and frustrate economic activities.
“NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region. It does not belong to anybody. There are people who have seen themselves that they are the owners of NDDC. They leave their states and come to Port Harcourt to block NDDC gate. We are peaceful people, but nobody should push us to the point where we tell them ‘enough is enough’.”
Wike further said, “The next time they try it again to cause crisis in our state, I will mobilise our people against them. I am not saying if you have grievances with NDDC, you should not seek how to settle it. But do not use it to cause problem for us, to begin to make economic activities not to move on.”
The governor challenged the new interim leadership to make a difference, change the current narrative of the commission serving outsiders’ interest and abandoning its core mandate of developing the region.
Wike said people were abusing the entire region because the commission has wasted trillions of Dollars without lifting the masses of the region out of poverty or putting commensurate developmental projects on ground to show for the funds received.
“The problem with us is that you allow people outside to control you. You want to have godfathers from East, West and North. NDDC is created for Niger Delta. Use the money for the people and region.
“They are abusing us that Niger Delta is a curse. Trillions of Dollars have been spent, and we cannot say this is what we have spent the money on.
“Those Abuja portfolio contractors are part of the people controlling you. They tell you what to do, and you do it for fear that they will remove you. But eventually, you will be removed. So, why not work for the people. When you are removed, you will know you did your best for the region.”
Wike also charged the interim management committee to always work with all the state governors in the region on equal footing, and without politics so that together, they can achieve the desired development.
“Go and visit every governor because they are members of the Governing Council of NDDC, and they are the leaders of the states. You don’t need to entangle yourself with unnecessary bickering, politicking. Show a difference.”
The governor cautioned the NDDC management to obey subsisting court order that makes it mandatory for the commission to seek the consent of the state governments before embarking on any project, particularly in Rivers State.
He warned that if the commission defies the state government, then, the commission would be dragged to court for contempt.
“I will not hesitate to tell the Attorney General to file contempt charge against officials of NDDC and NDDC itself. We will not hesitate. Because we have come to the time that Nigerians must understand we must follow rules. The only way you can talk about good governance is when you obey the rule of law. There cannot be good governance when there is nothing to show you obey the law. Good governance is predicated on the rule of law”, Wike argued.
He urged them to conceptualise regional projects for execution to end the piecemeal partnership strategy they had adopted, which has not moved the region forward in terms of infrastructural development.
“I have always said to people, when you have the opportunity to make contributions to the development of your father land, you must see it as a blessing God has given you. You must not see it as a way to set back your region.
Wike also urged NDDC to send their partnership support towards the reconstruction of the ongoing dualisation of Eastern Bypass Road where the NDDC permanent headquarters is located.
He told them to put their temporary office along Aba Road in good condition before moving out to their permanent headquarters.
Earlier, the Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa, said the visit was first to be undertaken by his team to any governor in the region.
Akwa informed the governor that with the newly built permanent NDDC head office now completed, they were ready to commission it on February 25, 2021.
The interim administrator, on behalf of the commission, later presented six waste disposal trucks to the Rivers State Government to improve the sanitary conditions in the state.
Responding to the donation, Wike noted that this was the first time in his administration that the commission was offering support to the Rivers State Government.
He commended them for demonstrating good corporate social responsibility in encouraging the state government in its drive to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
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