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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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PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.

He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”

The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.

Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.

He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.

“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.

The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.

He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.

The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“

“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.

She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,

expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.

“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”

He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.

The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.

The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State

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Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

1 month ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.

According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.

APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.

The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.

Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.

Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.

Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.

Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.

The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.

Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas

Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.

National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.

John Bibor & King Onunwor