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Retain Harold Dappa Biriye Name In New NDDC Head Office, Senate Urges FG
The Senate has the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, retain the name, Harold Dappa Biriye House in the new Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) permanent headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Senate urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to immediately direct and ensure the retention of Harold Dappa Biriye House in the NDDC permanent headquarters.
The resolution of the Senate was a sequel to a motion titled, “Need to retain the name Harold Dappa Biriye House in the New Head Office of the NDDC.”
It was sponsored by Senator Seriake Dickson, Peoples Democratic Party, Bayelsa West.
Presenting the motion, Dickson said that, “The Senate: Notes that the late Harold Dappa Biriye coordinated the activities of the Rivers Conference of Chiefs and people’s conference and participated in the pre-independence conferences in Nigeria and abroad, particularly the 1957/58 constitutional conference leading to the appointment of the Henry Willinks Commission.
“Notes that he later formed and led the Niger Delta Congress (NDC), a political party of the Niger Delta on which platform Chief Melford Okilo was elected as the first parliamentarian and subsequently a parliamentary secretary.
“Observes that his party, the NDC, was in alliance with the NPC and he collaborated with his contemporaries, his friends and allies like Sir Tafawa Balewa, the first Prime Minister, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello in the pre-independence struggles.”
He said further that the Senate, “Notes that the Late Harold Dappa Biriye all through his adult life until his death at a ripe old age fought for the Niger Delta people and all Nigerians and was a quintessential Nigerian who lived a good life-promoting national unity, understanding and cohesion.
“Aware that he collaborated with other leaders of Nigeria and the Head of State at the time, General Yakubu Gowon in managing the issues and agitations of the Niger Delta leading to the creation of Rivers State, and also negotiated the release and pardon of Isaac Adaka Boro, who later joined the Nigerian army and died fighting for Nigeria.
“Notes that he served as an adviser in the cabinet of the new Alfred Diete-Spiff administration to stabilise the new government following the creation of Rivers State until the return to politics. He collaborated with General Gowon, General Murtala Mohammed and all leaders and heads of state including General Olusegun Obasanjo at the return of democracy.
“Notes also that until his death, Harold Dappa Biriye was the founding chairman of the board of trustees of the Ijaw National Congress and was deputised by Pa E.K. Clark who took over after his death.
“Aware that through Henry Willink’s Commission of 1957, which he fought for and pushed, informed the establishment of the Niger Delta Basin Development (NDBD) which later was replicated in other regions in the country.
“Notes that he offered advice to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration on how to restore peace to the Niger Delta region, and was, therefore, one of the leaders that facilitated the establishment of the NDDC.
“Notes that following the establishment of the NDCC, the Federal Government and the management of the NDDC with the support of the Rivers State Government led by Dr Peter Odili, who himself was one of the several political protégés of Harold Dappa Biriye decided to name the NDDC temporary headquarters donated by Rivers State Government, after him, as a mark of recognition for his services to the Niger Delta people and Nigeria at large.
“Observes that the NDDC after over 20 years of existence has commissioned its permanent headquarters, last year, but observes with dismay that while the NDDC has commissioned and moved its personnel and activities into its permanent headquarters which is commendable, it has refused, neglected or failed to transfer the name Harold Dappa Biriye House to adorn its permanent headquarters as should have been done even before the commissioning.
“Observes that, unlike his colleagues and contemporaries who fought for Nigeria’s independence, whose names and images adorn our national currency and strategic national assets, Harold Dappa Biriye, has nothing in his name order than this.”
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
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?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.
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?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.
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?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.
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?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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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.
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