News

FG Set To Repeal National Lottery Act

Published

5 years ago

July 9, 2021

The Federal Government says all machinery has been put in motion to repeal the National Lottery Act (NLA), 2005.
It said that after the repeal of the Act, it would be replaced by the National Gaming Act (NGA), 2021.
The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, disclosed this in Gombe, during the virtual inauguration and handing over of vital medical equipment to the state’s Specialist Hospital and Federal Teaching Hospital.
Items donated include ultrasound scan machine, digital x-ray machine, oxygen concentrators, theatre beds, and Personal Protective Equipment.
Akume noted that the National Gaming Act would accommodate the growing dynamism of lottery business in the country.
He charged all persons and organisations licensed to operate gaming business to be ready to meet up with their statutory obligations to avoid being sanctioned.
He added said, “Government is committed in ensuring that returns obtainable from other non-oil sources of revenues are maximised. Lottery is one of such alternative revenue sources, and this government is determined to make it more productive and sustainable
“As the sector becomes firmly established, it is our expectation that lottery will be included in the strategic plans of the nation.”
Also speaking, Executive Secretary/CEO, National Lottery Trust Fund, Dr. Bello Maigari, said the decision of the Federal Government to establish the National Lottery Trust Fund is “indicative of a government that recognises the importance of lottery as a vehicle in enhancing the social well-being of its citizenry through investment in its various lottery good cause intervention projects that are creative, relevant, timely and economically sustainable.”
Maigari, who was represented at the occasion by head of operation, NLTF, Abubakar Nakwada noted that the essence of the intervention is to provide “vital medical equipment to under-served communities in the hope that government will make all the difference in saving lives and reversing the deteriorating health conditions leveraging the use of Hi-Tech diagnostic equipment to provide high standards of care to vulnerable segment of society with sizeable percentage of state across the six geo-political zones covered so far in the phase of the intervention.”
Speaking, Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Dr Yusuf Abdullahi said the donation has improved how they managed patients
He said over 100,000 patients have benefitted from various vital equipment donated.
The chief medical director appealed to the Federal Government for alternative power, saying that the hospital spent over N113million on monthly basis for power supply.
“I will like to sincerely appreciate Minister of Special Duties and Inter Government Affairs, and National Lottery Trust Fund. It has improved the way and manner we have been managing our patients,” Abdullahi said.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.