City Crime

‘Wike’s Ingenuity Driving Rivers Dev’ Nsirim Dedicates Award To Gov

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2021

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said that Governor Nyesom Wike has made tremendous impact in actualising his NEW Rivers Vision development blueprint in Rivers State.
He said what had happened in Rivers State within the last six years could only come from a patriot and “a man who has made up his mind to leave behind a worthy legacy.”
Nsirim made the assertion when the management of Africa Update newspaper and SpringPoint magazine, organisers of the Trendsetters awards, visited to present an award to him as the Best Commissioner of the Year in Rivers State, last Monday, in Port Harcourt.
The commissioner dedicated the award to Wike, describing him as a man who has come to redefine governance and has become the face of democracy in Nigeria.
“Looking at his excellent performance as local government chairman, as chief of staff and as minister of state for education, we are not surprised that the governor will do well.
“In fact, as minister of state, he was active, and so impactful. Since he left that position, nobody hears about minister of state for education.
“So, the ingenuity of Wike is what is driving the development process in Rivers State, and we as a ministry, will continue to project his policies and programmes because the common man in Rivers State is seeing the difference,” he said.
Nsirim reiterated that the governor had promised Rivers people that he would work until he hands over in 2023.
He added: “You see the kind of massive developmental strides that is going on in Rivers State in an era where governance is at very low ebb across the globe.
“So, we applaud Governor Wike for the kind of narrative he has brought into governance. In the next few days, he will receive an award as The Sun Newspaper Man of the Year 2020, and this is the fourth award he will receive this year from the media community.
“The media remains the watchdog of the society, and so, when the media endorses someone’s leadership, you should be rest assured that this is the heartbeat of the entire society,” he said.
He charged the media to play an active role to hold those in leadership positions accountable, particularly at this time when the country is at the crossroads.
He emphasised that the media must strive to set agenda for the progress of the nation.
“The nation is blessed with human and natural resources to compete favourably with other countries in the world but what is our development index now?”, he queried.
He said that leadership question has been so much a challenge and that the media must rise up now to set the right agenda for the right leadership for Nigeria in 2023, so that the people could really look at those who have the qualities to lead this nation.
The commissioner cautioned that it shouldn’t be based on tribe or religion.
“The pedigree of individuals should be showcased to the world to make a choice, because Nigeria is more important.”
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Trendsetters Award, Gloria Boma Harry, had said that the award was a symbol of what the commissioner has done in terms of rebranding Rivers State.
“You have been able to disseminate information on the governor and his agenda in the development of Rivers State, and so far, people appreciate who he is and what he stands for,” she said.

City Crime

RSG Ready For 2030 Digital Transformation

Published

2 weeks ago

October 27, 2025

The Tide

The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department, Mrs. Elizabeth Akani, has said the State Government was set to meet up the 2030 target of the Federal Government towards the actualization of digital economy.

Akani said this at the Rivers State Sensitization Workshops on The Adoption of Nigeria Start-up Act and National Digital Literacy framework (NDLF), in Port Harcourt, weekend.

She noted that the State was ready for both the adoption and domestication of the Act.

According to her, up to 90-95% preparation have been fully covered by the state in readiness to welcoming the digital economy Act.

“Stakeholders talked about adoption and domestication of the Act, it was fruitful. The draft has been sent to the government”, she said.

She also noted that the move was in line with the digital transformation plan of the state and the country at large.

The Convener, Start South, Mr. Uche Aniche, who made case for full ICT Ministry for the state, said such will command the needed growth in the system.

Aniche stated that until they attained the lofty height, all about Tech-knowledge and growth may not fall in place as expected.

Other tech-operators, such as the Code Garden Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wilfred Wegwu, who welcomed the idea, said it must be done in the nearest future.

Wegwu noted that technology has taken over the world at present, adding that government at all levels needed to key into the system.

He also stated that the system play major roles in various spheres of life, including relationships and collaboration.

He also revealed that the system now was up to forth Industrial Revolution (4IR), according to global shift ranking.

It will be recalled that the State Government has recently ordered to construct ICT centres across the 23 Local Government Area of the state in order to meet up the yearnings of the technology world.

By: King Onunwor

City Crime

Industry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands

Published

1 month ago

September 29, 2025

The Tide

The oil and gas industry is in for a tough year ahead, as it must balance financial discipline, shareholder returns, and long-term investments in the sustainability of the business—while navigating a hypothetical glut.

The warning comes from Wood Mackenzie, which said in a new report that the industry was faced with conflicting trends over the next year that would make decision-making challenging. Among these is an expectation that the market would tip into an oversupply, pressuring prices, while the demand outlook for oil over the long term brightens up, motivating more investments.

“Oil and gas companies are caught between competing pressures as they plan for 2026. Near-term price downside risks clash with the need to extend hydrocarbon portfolios into the next decade. Meanwhile, shareholder return of capital and balance sheet discipline will constrain reinvestment rates,” Wood Mackenzie’s senior vice president of corporate research, Tom Ellacott, said.

The executive added that investors would also influence decisions, as they continue to prioritize short-term returns over long-term investments. This last part, at least, is not unusual in the current investment environment across industries. It could, however, make life even more difficult for oil and gas companies for a while.

The glut that Wood Mackenzie analysts expect is the same glut that the International Energy Agency has been expecting for a while now. Yet that very same International Energy Agency earlier this month issued a warning on the longer-term security of global oil supply, saying the industry needed to step up investment in new production because natural depletion at mature fields was progressing faster than previously assumed.

Per the report, if the industry has to maintain current levels of oil and gas production, more than 45 million barrels per day of oil and around 2,000 billion cu m of natural gas would be needed in 2050 from new conventional fields. It’s worth noting that this is maintenance of current production levels, assuming demand will not rise, which is a risky assumption.

Even with projects ramping up and new ones approved for development and not yet in production, a large gap still exists “that would need to be filled by new conventional oil and gas projects to maintain production at current levels, although the amounts needed could be reduced if oil and gas demand were to come down,” the IEA said.

However, demand could just as well increase, heightening the degree of uncertainty in the industry and making long-term planning even more challenging—especially for companies with higher debt-to-equity ratios. Wood Mackenzie expects those with gearing of above 35% would prioritise resilience over long-term growth, while those with better debt positions would turn to divestments and asset acquisitions to improve the quality of their portfolio.

Share buybacks will also remain on the oil industry’s table as a favorite tool for making shareholders happy, although, Wood Mac notes, these tend to dry up when oil slips below $50 per barrel. Interestingly, the analytics company does not seem to factor into its analysis a scenario where prices might go up instead of down, especially now that President Trump has signaled he would be willing to step up pressure on Russia to bring a swifter end to the war in Ukraine.

If prices do rise, for whatever reason, including failure of the massive 3-million-bpd glut that the IEA predicted to materialize, then the immediate outlook for the oil and gas industry becomes different—but not too different. Companies have already demonstrated they would not return to their old ways of splurging when times were good and tightening belts when times were bad. They would likely stick to spending caution and shareholder return prioritization, regardless of prices.

By Irina Slav

City Crime

ECN Commences 7MW Solar Power Project In AKTH

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

As a landmark intervention designed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), has commenced a 7MW solar power project at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH)

The project is the outcome of ECN’s comprehensive energy audit and strategic planning, which exposed the unsustainable cost of diesel and the risks associated with AKTH’s dependence on the national grid.

Working in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology under the coordinating leadership of Chief Uche Nnaji, the ECN planned and executed this critical project to secure the hospital’s energy future.

The Director – General, ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abullahi, said “the timing of this intervention could not be more crucial” recalling that only days ago, AKTH suffered prolonged power outages that tragically claimed lives in its Intensive Care Unit.

“That painful incident has strengthened our resolve. With this solar installation, we are ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future and that critical medical services can operate without fear of disruption”.

Abdullahi stated that the project is a clear demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in action and reflects ECN’s commitment to making Nigeria’s energy transition people-centered, where hospitals, schools, and other essential institutions thrive on reliable, clean, and sustainable power.

The ECN boss further reaffirmed ECN’s commitment to continued deployment of innovative energy solutions across the nation.

“This is not just about powering institutions; it is about saving lives, restoring confidence, and securing a brighter future for Nigerians”, he stated.