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Your PhD Is Empty, Wike Blasts Peterside …Says He Lacks Understanding Of How Economy, Budget Work …As Tambuwal Unveils 10km Odiokwu Internal Roads

Published

4 years ago

December 17, 2021

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has berated the former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside for speaking about Rivers economy from the point of ignorance.
The governor wondered why Peterside, with his educational attainment, would say that merely because the budget figures of Lagos and Akwa Ibom states are higher, compared to Rivers’ budget, it means that Rivers economy was performing poorly.
He said if a man, who is that ignorant, refused to be silent but comes to public discourse to display such loose grasp of the subject matter, people would question his academic status.
Wike, therefore, stated that Perterside puts a question mark on his doctoral degree, otherwise, how could he say that the performance of the economy was dependent on budgetary estimates.
“When they asked him about the budget of Rivers State, he said the mere fact that Lagos State budget is very high, the mere fact that Akwa Ibom budget is very high, and Rivers State budget is low, that means the economy is not doing well.
“A PhD holder saying that the performance of an economy is based on the size of a budget. Does that mean that Cross River that had a budget of N1.3trillion has performed more than every other state economy?”
Wike also decried the low level of understanding showed by Peterside when he claimed that there was no governance in Rivers State.
The governor queried Perterside’s understanding of governance, saying that he served in the last administration when all the courts in Rivers State were shut for two years, and they also failed to deliver the Opobo Road to enable Opobo people drive on road to their country home.
“They asked him about governance, he said there is no governance in Rivers State. I agree with him. There was governance when the courts were shut down. You are aware that the courts were shut down for almost two years. There was governance at that time.
“There was governance when there was no road to Opobo. There was governance when they put bill one to rob Rivers State. You award a job of N7billion, in bill one is N4.5billion. Now, there is no governance because bill one has been removed? Now, there is no governance because you can drive to Opobo? Now, there is no governance because you can go to the court to seek for your right?”
Wike also took a swipe on a factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is traditionally cursed, and hardly could write his name, to dare challenge him for criticising the Federal Government’s economic stimulation programmes.
The Rivers State governor asserted that with the level of infrastructure and other inclusive policies of government towards Ahoada communities, nobody would say his administration has failed the Ekpeye people.
Wike enumerated some of the projects delivered, particularly in Ahoada-West to include, the Ibiama-Okarki Road, 10km internal roads in Odiokwu community, water scheme, health centre, and recognition of five first class traditional stools.
The governor said 100percent of the contract sum for the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Okarki, was released to some of their sons, but they diverted the money.
He, however, promised not to be deterred by their act but to revisit the project and ensure that it was competed.
Wike said it was important that they resolve their problems over the selection and choice of a new Eze Ekpeye Logbo.
He urged them to complete that process within the next two months, and endorse a person who would not sell out Ekpeye’s interest or go to companies to take what was meant for the entire Ekpeye people, and present same to the state government.
Wike also directed the demolition of structures for which compensation has been paid, to enable the contractor commence work on the dualisation of the first phase of the Ahaoda-Omoku Road project.
Inaugurating the 10km internal roads, Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal noted that he was witnessing a success story of infrastructural development in a rural Odiokwu community whose socio-economic life has been revived.
He said that despite the lack of capacity of the Federal Government to deliver good governance, they, the governors, were doing their utmost best, playing their role to keep Nigeria together.
Tambuwal said they were proud of Wike for strengthening the existing relationship between Rivers and Sokoto states.
Walking in the footsteps of Melford Okilo and Shehu Shagari, Tambuwal stated that he was working with Wike to foster national unity, cohesion, survival of their people.
Providing a description of the project, Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Special Projects, Dax Kelly Alabo said the 10km network of internal roads have 20km of drains on both sides.
He assured that the roads, built to last 40 years, would impact positively on the socio-economic dynamics of the community.
This is because the crisscross nature of the roads has made access in and out of the farms easy, he said.

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

7 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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

Published

7 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?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.

?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.

?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.

?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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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

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.