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Wike Carpets Amaechi Over Comments On TOG …Labels Ex-Gov Total Failure

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, was a total failure.
This is so, he said, because, as far as Rivers State was concerned, Chibuike Amaechi was unable to attract any meaningful project to the state in seven years while he served as minister.
Wike was speaking in reaction to comments by the former minister that the Rivers State Government refused to give state burial to late Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, who was laid to rest last Saturday.
He used the occasion of the formal inauguration of the reconstructed former Riv-Bank Insurance building in Port Harcourt, last Monday, to lampoon the former minister.
Wike stressed that a man who has failed in attracting projects to his state and has exhibited poor leadership within his depleted party, should hide his face in shame and stop talking about Rivers politics.
“We have taken all your people. Nobody is in your party again. Why not manage and stay quiet; because of your poor leadership.
“Tell Rivers people, as Minister of Transportation, what did you do for your people? Seven good years, all you were interested in was doing business with CCECC, doing standard gauge and the other gauge until now, we have not seen anyone in Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.”
Wike boasted that while he was a junior minister, he attracted the Faculty of Law to the University of Port Harcourt, and established the Oil and Gas Polytechnic in Bonny.
He also made grants available to Kenule Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic in Bori and Ignatius Ajuru University, while renovating several secondary schools in Rivers State.
“Tell us, as a grade ‘A’ minister, what you brought. You think you can deceive Rivers State again?”
Wike said the state government stayed away from the burial activities because it was politicised, and he did not want to be associated with such trivialities.
“I saw you people have brought politics to the man’s burial. I said, ok, let me withdraw myself. I don’t want to be involved in this kind of politics.”
Wike stated that if people had gone to bury the dead, they would have focused on that mission of honouring the dead and not involved him in the talks around the event.
“Let me use this opportunity to say that I am very disappointed that the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, will still come to the state to talk about this government not giving late Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas a state burial.
“It is unfortunate. I asked him, when Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas was sick, where were you? This state government committed so much amount of money to make sure Chief Alabo survived.
“I want to challenge anybody; we did not spend less than N50million to make sure our elder statesman survived. It was survival we wanted; we wanted him to be alive.
“When his late son had an accident, and was flown to London, this state government bore the cost of it. Go and ask people.”
Wike recalled that it was this same Chibuike Amaechi, who is now showing he loved Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas more, that refused to honour him while he was alive.
The Rivers State governor said, Chibuike Amaechi declined to grant the request of Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas for the elevation of the Abonnema traditional stool to first class and construction of Abonnema Ring Road.
But, on assumption of office, Wike said, he granted those requests.
“Amaechi, Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas told you, please, help me and do the ring road in Abonnema so that when we have occasion, we will not be parked on one road, you refused to do it. I did it.
“When Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas was alive, he told Amaechi, why not do this Trans-Kalabari Road. He did not do it. I am the one doing it. So, who is the man who loves Alabo and has made him happier?”
Speaking further, Wike also recalled how Chibuike Amaechi deceived prominent Rivers elders to whom he professed love but refused to honour them.
“That was how he pulled down our general hospital that he was going to build 1,000-bed Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Hospital. Justice Karibi-Whyte died and he never saw one block you laid.”
Wike also pointed to the deception the former minister meted to late Captain Elechi Amadi, who, despite their relationship, failed to keep his words.
“Before he (Elechi Amadi) died, you said you are going to build Faculty of Humanities in his honour. That one, you tried to lay block, but you abandoned it. I came and completed that building. Even when everybody knows you have interest in his family.
“When Captain Elechi Amadi died, there was no road to his house for a man you said you love. I came and sent MCC to go and do that road. That road was done and that was how Captain Elechi Amadi was buried. So, you (Amaechi) should be ashamed of yourself.”
Wike said, “I tell people, let’s live in peace. So many people think if they don’t talk about us, they won’t survive. People like to use the life and death of our prominent people to play politics. If you go for burial to honour a man who has died, you honour the man, and not use his death to play politics.
“Instead of you to come to say, our late elder has died, may his soul rest in peace, you come and open your mouth to talk politics in this state. I thought some people should know there is a limitation to everything. If you did not say what you said on Saturday, I wouldn’t have exposed you now. People didn’t know you have an interest everywhere.
“Must you have interest in every man you say is your friend? Some people should be quiet. We have taken all your people. Nobody in your party again because of your poor leadership. Why not manage and stay?
“This should be your last time to open your mouth to talk about this state because you are a total failure as far as this state is concerned. Even what is supposed to come to us you blocked it. You thought you won’t finish as a minister, you have left.”
Commenting on the project, Wike said the building that was long abandoned was an object people scrambled to own.
The governor disclosed that Amaechi has been making concerted effort to stall the fraud charges brought against him by the Rivers State Government.
According to him, even if his administration is unable to prosecute the former minister, the next government will accomplish the task.
Wike made a specific appeal to the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank PLC, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, to consider buying the seven-storey office complex and use it as the regional headquarters of his firm.
The governor also called on other buoyant Rivers-born investors to enjoy the right of first refusal to buy some of the remodelled property of Rivers State Government up for sale.
The governor christened the re-constructed ultra-modern seven-storey office complex, Senator John Azuta Mbata Building.
In his address, the Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla, said the seven-storey building was purpose-built facility that could serve as office spaces and banking services.

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No Child Should Be Denied Access to Education – Fubara

Published

2 weeks ago

October 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has called on stakeholders, community leaders, parents and relevant education authorities to intensify efforts to identify and enrol out-of-school children across Nigeria, stressing that every child deserves access to quality and inclusive education.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the call, yesterday, during the regional campaign on engaging community structures to promote the enrolment of out-of-school children and the regional flag-off of the 2026/2027 enrolment drive for southern states, held in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, Governor Fubara reaffirmed that education remains a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and emphasised the need to ensure that no child is left behind because of economic hardship, social background or other barriers to schooling.

He noted that expanding access to education was essential to promoting sustainable development, social inclusion and equal opportunities, enabling children to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

The governor urged participating states and communities to translate their commitments into concrete and measurable actions by reaching vulnerable children, strengthening community engagement and encouraging parents and guardians to make their children’s education a priority.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to initiatives aimed at expanding access to education, particularly for children excluded from formal schooling.

“Rivers State remains committed to supporting initiatives that expand access to inclusive and quality education, particularly for vulnerable children who may have missed the opportunity to attend formal schools,” Fubara stressed.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, described the growing number of out-of-school children as one of the major challenges confronting the education sector.

She called for a collective and collaborative approach among governments, communities, parents and other stakeholders to address the problem, stressing the need to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied the fundamental right to education.

The programme was organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, as part of efforts to strengthen community participation and promote school enrolment across the southern states for the 2026/2027 academic session.

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FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N2.428trn For September

Published

2 weeks ago

October 16, 2026

The Tide

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared the sum of N2.428 trillion among the Federal Government, 36 states government and the 774 Local Government Councils (LGCs) as revenue for the month of September.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, said this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

Mokwa said the allocation was approved by FAAC at its October meeting held in Abuja.

He said the N2.428 trillion distributable revenue comprised of statutory revenue of N1.672 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N756.587 billion.

Mokwa quoted the FAAC communiqué as saying that total gross revenue of N3.913 trillion was available in the month of September 2026.

He said a total deduction for cost of collection was N131.758 billion while total transfers, refunds and savings of N1.352 trillion.

According to him, a gross statutory revenue of N3.096 trillion was received for the month of September 2026.

“This was higher than the sum of N2.850 trillion received in the preceeding month by N246.384 billion.

“Gross revenue of N816.872 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in September 2026.

“This was lower than the N834.843 billion available in the month of August 2026 by N17.972 billion,” he said.

Mokwa explained that the Federal Government received N832.242 billion and the state governments received the sum of N799.872 billion.

He said the LGCs received N560.660 billion, while the sum of N236.049 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting state as derivation revenue.

Mokwa said in the N1.672 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N756.583 billion and the State Governments received N383.749 billion.

He said the LGCs received N295.855 billion and the sum of N236.049 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

The director said from the N756.587 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N75.659 billion, the State Governments received N416.123 billion and the LGCs received N264.805 billion.

“In September 2026, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Petroleum Royalties, Import Duty, CET Levies and Excise Duty increased significantly.

“Also, Companies Income Tax (CIT), CGT & SDT, Value Added Tax (VTA), Mineral Royalties, and Gas Flared Penalty, Rental Gas Flared Fee and Misc. Oil Revenue decreased considerably,” he said.

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NLC Gives FG Two-Week Ultimatum To Reduce Petrol Price …Begins Minimum Wage Talks

Published

3 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce the price of petrol, commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage and implement outstanding agreements with workers.

The ultimatum followed a joint meeting of the National Executive Council and Central Working Committee of the NLC held at the Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House, Abuja.

In a communiqué signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and made available to newsmen, yesterday, the union said the two-week ultimatum would commence on Friday, October 9, 2026.

It warned that failure by the government to meet its demands would compel the Congress to take further action.

The NLC specifically demanded that the government reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit to the level it was when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

It also demanded the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage, implementation of the February 5, 2026, Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, and action on the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.

The Congress further demanded tax relief and immediate wage awards for workers, arguing that the measures were necessary to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The NLC said, “The current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the relentless depreciation of the naira and the astronomical rise in the cost of living.”

It added that workers could no longer meet basic needs, including food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education, on their current earnings.

The labour body, therefore, demanded that the Federal Government commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of October.

“NEC-in-session demands that the Federal Government commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of this month,” the communiqué stated.

The Congress also linked the erosion of workers’ purchasing power to the high cost of petrol, saying the price of the commodity had continued to drive up transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods.

“The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship of workers and the masses,” it said.

The NLC further demanded that the government grant tax relief to workers and immediately introduce wage awards, describing the measures as “the bare minimum required to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and restore a measure of dignity to their lives.”

The latest ultimatum escalates the labour movement’s pressure on the Federal Government after public-sector workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council embarked on a three-day warning strike earlier in October over rising living costs, petrol prices, wage awards and minimum wage negotiations.

The workers had demanded, among other measures, a reduction in petrol prices and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.

The NLC had also raised concerns in September over the declining purchasing power of workers, with Ajaero arguing that the N70,000 minimum wage had been overtaken by increases in the cost of food, transportation, housing, education and other essential expenses.

The current minimum wage was approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 after negotiations involving the government, organised labour and the private sector.

Tinubu increased the Federal Government’s offer from N62,000 to N70,000 and agreed that the wage should be reviewed after three years rather than five years.

The NLC’s latest demand comes as the Federal Government announced fresh measures aimed at containing petrol-price pressures.

Yesterday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the government was negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol, with monthly reviews, as part of measures to reduce price volatility.

The proposed ceiling does not mean petrol would necessarily sell at N1,350 per litre at filling stations.

The government also announced a 30-day discount on petrol dispensed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), with priority given to public transporters.

Oyedele said the arrangement was not a return to subsidy but an effort to sell the product at cost.

However, the NLC is seeking a more substantial reduction, insisting that petrol should return to the price level that prevailed when the N70,000 minimum wage was enacted in 2024.

The Congress also called for the implementation of the agreement reached with JOHESU in February, as well as the demands presented by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.

It warned that failure to respond within the two-week period would have consequences.

“Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs,” the communiqué said.

The union consequently directed its affiliates and allies to remain prepared for further action.

“NEC-in-session reaffirms the historical responsibility of the NLC to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression,” it stated, urging its affiliates to remain “on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive efforts against all anti-people policies.”

The development also comes amid fresh labour tensions in Abuja, where the FCT Council of the NLC commenced an indefinite strike on Wednesday over disputes with the FCT Administration concerning teachers’ promotion policies.

The council directed workers across public and private establishments to withdraw their services after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum.

The latest NLC ultimatum puts renewed pressure on the Federal Government to address wage and fuel-price concerns as both sides grapple with disagreements over the implementation of previous labour agreements and measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms.

The NLC said its demands were aimed at protecting workers and the wider population from further deterioration in their standard of living, insisting that Nigerian workers must remain “resolute, organised, and uncompromising” in the struggle for improved living conditions.