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Buhari Hails Wike’s Exceptional Performance In Infrastructure Delivery …Presents Gov, 43 Others With Excellence Awards In Public Service
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the exceptional performance of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in infrastructure delivery in the governance of the state over the last few years.
Buhari said this while presenting Wike with the “Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery” at the maiden edition the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) ceremony, held at Presidential Villa, Aso Rock in Abuja, last Friday.
In addition to the Rivers State governor, 43 other Nigerians, including former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan were conferred with awards in different categories.
Jonathan was honoured in the peace building category.
Buhari, who said the award was devoid of politics, stressed that the initiators of the award deployed one of the best indices to determine the level of performance of public officers.
With the award, the 44 recipients, he noted, have been challenged to perform above board henceforth, knowing that they were being monitored by the people.
Buhari spoke further, saying that at present, issues in corruption continue to affect the civil service in many countries around the world.
The president stated that several reasons of the issues in corruption still exist because of deep-rooted problems like nepotism, cronyism, political patronage as well as lack of transparency and accountability.
Buhari urged leaders in the private and public sectors to be more mindful of their positions as “trustees of the people”, urging them to always work toward leaving a legacy that will be long remembered.
“I wish that leaders will arise and stand up to be counted among leaders who have distinguished themselves to do the right thing and leave their footprints on the sands of time,” he said.
The president, specifically, saluted former president Jonathan, saying since he left office, he had deployed his rich experience to ensure peace in many parts of Africa and had led mediation talks in several parts of the globe.
“Today, I am happy to have the opportunity to recognise 44 persons and organisations who have distinguished themselves across many sectors of the government and indeed, the economy.
“I am particularly happy to recognise Dr Goodluck Jonathan, my predecessor, for his contribution to peace building from the Niger Delta region, which has snowballed into peace in the region and now, around the world.
“Since leaving office, he has deployed his rich experience to ensure peace in many parts of Africa and has led mediation talks in several parts of the globe.
“I want to also specially recognise the Chairman of BUA International Limited, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his interventions in education through the BUA Foundation, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), and his personal philanthropic initiative.
“This initiative funds tertiary education institutions in Nigeria from its yearly $100million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. I am happy that five universities have so far benefited with many more to come,’’ he said.
The president urged public servants to make accountability and integrity their watchwords.
“I am equally elated to have some state governors and my ministers receive this award. This is to put on record that this award is borne out of empirical evidence of performance and not politics.
“This award is a recognition of the giant strides you all have made towards the transformation of Nigeria and you have consistently put hard work and dedication at the centre of your initiatives.
“Let me use this opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ for your contributions to the transformation of our country.
“This award is a validation of your approach, but much more as a motivation for you and other upcoming leaders to continue doing more towards the attainment of a better Nigeria in all sectors of the economy,’’ he added.
He thanked organisers of the event, The Best Strategic Media (TBS), led by Ms Mariam Mohammed, a publisher and public relations expert, for the continuous support of his administration.
Buhari said the initiative was commendable, “for deploying one of the best indices to determine the level of performance of public officers.’’
“I know that public officers will be challenged to perform above board, now that they know they are being monitored by the people,’’ the president noted.
Buhari said he was delighted that the maiden edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) was a private-sector initiative, organised by TBS in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to recognise excellent service delivery.
According to him, public service is a public trust where officers and employees must be accountable to the people whom they should serve at all times with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.
He said: “They are expected to act with patriotism and think out of the box in order to solve the many problems facing the people they lead.
“At present, issues of corruption continue to affect the civil services in many countries, around the world.
“Several reasons for these issues still exist because of deeply rooted problems like nepotism, cronyism, political patronage as well as lack of transparency and accountability.
“These vices distract them from delivering on their mandate and aspirations.
“The unsystematic enforcement of law and institutional mechanisms for holding civil servants and public officials accountable for their actions will always lead to a negative impression to the citizens”, the president said.
Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, said the award was purely a public sector initiative which independently assessed the performance of public servants in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities.
“The Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service is an award they recognise and rewards innovation, purposeful leadership and other exceptionally deserving individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the public service and the country at large.”
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the recipients, noted that while 16 out of the 36 state governors received awards in various categories, none of the 774 council chairmen were found worthy for recognition.
To this end, he recommended that the National Assembly should, as a matter of national importance, review the functions and system of the local governments in Nigeria.
“On behalf of all those that have received awards, I wish to say a very big thank you to the president and organisers,’’ he said.
While describing the event as unique, the former president assured that the awards would serve as an impetus for more service to the nation and humanity.
He charged the organisers of the award to also consider other Nigerians, particularly teachers and medical practitioners for recognition.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said Buhari has demonstrated leadership in recognising excellence in public service beyond political affiliation.
He noted that if the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, which was completely devoid of politics,was sustained, it would spur competition and engender good governance.
“For me, just like what Mr President said, it has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with achievement, and for me, that shows leadership, that they don’t choose only those that people will say oh, they belong to the same political party.”
After the event at the Presidential Villa, a reception in honour of Wike was organised with the Enugu State Governor, Hon Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was conferred the State Judicial Reform Award, in attendance.
Chairman of the event and Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, noted that Wike and Ugwuanyi, have shown capacity as reputed leaders with success records despite the odds against them.
Ikpeazu said it was imperative for leaders to always turn their adversaries into advantage for the good of the generality of the people.
He added that the expected liberation of Nigeria would happen in his generation.
Also speaking, the former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, said it was important for leaders to be very concerned about who takes over from them.
He said it was disheartening to see one’s success and achievements in office destroyed due to lack of capacity of a successor to sustain such positive feat.
On his part, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the people of the Middle Belt were resolved in their admiration and support for Wike because he was courageous, has integrity, and was also a tremendous achiever who has passionately delivered democratic dividends to Rivers people.
The Chairman of Rivers PDP Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, said the state was happy to have a courageous leader like Wike.
He explained that Wike’s financial prudence was the reason why Rivers State has since 2020 maintained first position in fiscal performance in the country.
The NEAPS was set up to recognise distinguished public service to Nigeria, either contributions to individuals, state or local community, or the public through excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism.
To be eligible, the recipient must be a living public official or a private a citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.
The individual must show an act of public service beyond the acts of their given mandate in endowing their society positively.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and service chiefs were among those honoured with various awards for their services.
Other awardees were 16 state governors including Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Babagana Zulum (Borno)and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
Some cabinet ministers; the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mohammed Nami, were also honoured at the event.
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.