News

Your Boldness Sustained Agitation For True Federalism, Mimiko Reminds Wike

Published

3 years ago

August 12, 2022

Former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has noted that through bold legal challenges, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, deepened the national consciousness concerning the defective federal system, and advocated for true federalism.
Mimiko made the statement when he performed the flag-off of construction work for the dualisation of Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road in Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
He said Wike combined such national advocacy with effective political leadership with which he doubtlessly changed the physical landscape of Rivers State.
“Beyond the self-evident physical transformation, you (Wike) have stood as a bulwark against those sworn to emasculating the main opposition party, all in their bid to force a one party state down the throats of Nigerians.
“I am sure your successor will surely be proud to announce loud and clear, a continuity campaign slogan, continuity of impactful projects, continuity of passionate and courageous leadership.
“You were at one point virtually a one man countervailing force, defending and protecting our dear PDP. You have also, through bold legal challenges, deepened the national consciousness on the defects in the running of our defective federal system.”
The former Ondo State governor said he was sure that Wike would remain committed to the struggle to entrench a true federal system that would engender real development across all ethnic nationalities, and religious persuasions in Nigeria.
He pointed to the urgent need by all well-meaning Nigerians for national unity, which is the required impetus to effectively confront the intractable security and economic challenges.
“Your Excellency, our party, the PDP, a party for which you have laboured so much, seems saddled with the historical duty of forging this unity, a unity premised on truth, equity and justice, a unity upon which rescuing Nigeria from the far from satisfactory performance of the past seven years will be built.
“It is a mission that must be accomplished; a mission for which you are specially positioned and favoured to play a major role; a mission that must be subscribed to by all lovers of our country.”
In his speech, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, noted that elders of the state like Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, mounted pressure on him to intervene on the road being flagged-off.
He said it would be the last of such projects to be executed within the Port Harcourt metropolis because, in keeping with his promises of restoring the Garden City status, every road has been reconstructed.
“As a man who respects leaders, I have to honour them by making sure this road is awarded, and by making sure that this road will be completed within six months.
“This is the last project here in Port Harcourt I think I’m going to embark upon before I leave office. All the promises I have made in Port Harcourt, I have fulfilled them.
“Let somebody come and tell me which one I have not fulfilled. Old Government Reserved Area, I have finished. New Government Reserved Area, I have finished. Ogbum-Nu-Abali, I have finished. Diobu here, I have finished?”
Wike explained that already, 80percent of the contract sum has been paid to the contracting firm, Julius Berger, because the project was billed for completion in six months.
The governor also assured that issues about compensation of property marked for demolition would be paid in good time so that nothing would interfere with the stipulated completion time.
“Let me tell the people here, we have paid Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 80percent of the contract money. Julius Berger is owing us now. So, it is not a question of coming here to tell you that we will do this road, and at the end of the day, we don’t do it.
“I want to say the money for the compensation is ready. As I go back now, I will treat the file, and those whose houses are affected must be paid before Monday, August 15, 2022.”
Wike emphasised that politics for him was about accountability to the people, which was why his administration was using Julius Berger Nigeria Plc noted for quality and long lasting work.
He said that when completed, the road and the street lights that would be installed would enhance economic activities and improve value of property in the area.
“Because you voted for us, we too will work for you by providing basic infrastructure. That is what politics is all about. It is about talking and doing, not giving of excuses.
“No right thinking person in this state would want to mingle or identify with such people that would make promises without fulfilling them.
“All we are saying, our own campaign has always been ‘operation show your report card’. We are showing our report card. Tell anybody who comes to you to show their report card.”
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dakorinama George-Kelly, said the road, connecting Iloabuchi Road from Azikiwe Street would take off traffic from the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover onto Eagle Island and other part of the state capital.
“This road has existed over time as a single lane with 7.3m width but it is now going to be dualised. It starts directly from the termination point of the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Flyover which is near completion, and will take traffic to Iloabuchi and to Eagle Island.
“The road is 29,200sqm in area, the median strip will be 1.5m width. It is going to have two sides drains with cross sectional width of 1m each.
“The road will have 600mm thickness of sand because there is going to be a lot of soil replacement, and we are going to have 150mm thickness of stone base,” he said.
Also speaking, South-South Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Juergen Fischer, said his company was delighted to have been chosen and trusted to do the job.
He pledged that as customary with the company, they would deliver quality project as part of their commitment towards the transformation agenda of the Wike-led administration.

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.