Politics
Allow States To Pay Royalty To FG – Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called for a new reform that would enable the states and local government areas to take charge of mining of solid minerals in their domain and then pay royalty to the Federal Government.
The governor made the call last Monday when the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House Port Harcourt
He said: “The Federal Government is carrying so much load that they are not supposed to carry. Allow states to develop their minerals and pay royalty to the Federal Government. That’s the way it’s supposed to be”,
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to concentrate on policy formulations that would improve the welfare of the people.
He accused the Federal Government of failing to translate mineral wealth into overall economic development and regrtted that the Ajaokuta Steel Company that ought to be creating jobs and generating huge revenue, had become a failed dream.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, had told the Governor that he was in the state to share with him the vision and policy focus of Federal Government for the development of the nation’s solid minerals resources.
Ogah solicited the support and partnership of Rivers State in the exploitation of huge deposit of silica sand and clay in the state for construction and glass manufacture.
The minister commended Governor Wike for the massive infrastructure provided by his administration to the people of Rivers State.
Also last week, the Rivers State Governor hosted the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and other top military officers who were in Government House Port Harcourt , last Friday, on a courtesy visit to him.
Governor Wike charged the Chief of Defence Staff to take steps towards reducing insurgency, noting that terrorism has become one of the biggest threats to the country. He assured the Chief of Defence Staff of the continuous support of Rivers State Government to the army and other security agencies in the state to ensure security of lives and property.
Governor Wike further promised to liaise with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to support the release of more money for procurement of arms and other equipment for the military to end Insurgency.
The Chief of Defence Staff , General Lucky Irabor said they were in the state to assess various operational activities of the Armed Forces and to also meet with the personnel.
He commended Governor Wike for supporting the army and other security agencies in the state and urged of Rivers people and Niger Delta to sustain the peace so that economic activities would thrive in the area.
Another major event in Brick House last week , was the Thank You visit by the newly elected 23 local government council chairmen to Governor Wike, last Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the newly elected chairmen, the Mayor-elect of Port Harcourt, Allwell Ihunda, expressed gratitude to the party and the governor for their support which contributed to their victory.
He assured the governor that they would be committed to good governance and ensure high performance.
Governor Wike charged them to use the opportunity to contribute their quota, make impact and improve the welfare of their people who gave them the mandate and never to abuse the opportunity.
“ It is a shame that you will serve for three or six years and you don’t have any projects executed. You may claim you pay salary, you pay salary of course. But also be concerned about what legacy to leave behind and what you can be remembered for.
Also within the week under review the Rivers State Chief Executive attended the Public presentation of two books in honour of the former Chief Justice, Paul Galumje, last Wednesday in Abuja.
Wike who was the Chief Presenter, described the former Supreme Court Justice as a man of impeccable integrity who served the nation meritoriously.
By: 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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