Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.

The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.

Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.

He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.

The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.

Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.

“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.

“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.

“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr  Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.

He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.

He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.

In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.

On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.

He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.

Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.

He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.

The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.

Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.

By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.

“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.

A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.

Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.

“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.

The Rivers State Government says its 2026 Budget will focus more on revamping the education sector as well as completing all ongoing projects in the State.

Also to be given priority include healthcare, infrastructure, youth unemployment and security.

Principal Secretary to the Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo, said this during the 2026 Pre Budget Workshop and Public Consultation on the 2026 Budget Estimate, organised by the Rivers Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the key sectors of the proposed budget include education, youth employment, healthcare, security, and completion of all ongoing projects in the State.

He said 70 percent of the budget will focus more on infrastructural delivery, stressing that all ongoing projects will be completed, while award of new projects will be minimal.

Beredugo said the State will be among the first in the country to establish a State Police if the National Assembly gives its endorsement, adding however, that the State will continue to work with the Federal Police to ensure security of lives and property in the State.

He said youth unemployment will be tackled through massive skills acquisition programme, while overheads to Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAS ) will increase.

He said the revoked contract on the rehabilitation of the Rivers State Secretariat will be re-awarded as government is currently reviewing it.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Imaonyani Ephraim-George, said the workshop was to get the inputs of all stakeholders towards the preparation of the budget.

According to her, aside the Ministries Departments and Agencies which are arms of the government, others whose inputs are also needed in the preparation of the budget  are market women, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, students groups, among others.

George said the governor was desirous of broadening the scope of citizens participation in the budgeting process by involving all strata of the society.