Politics
Don’t Abuse Opportunity, Wike Charges New Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the newly appointed commissioners
and other members of the State Executive Council not to see their positions as avenue to make money but opportunities to serve the state.
The Rivers State Governor, who gave the charge during the swearing in of 18 new commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, also frowned at what he considered as sycophantic orgies of some commissioners and other government officials who shirk their duties and display hypocritic gestures and culpable incompetence.
He drew the attention of the cabinet members to the fact that the present administration in the state was in its last lap and urged them to show deep commitment to the service of the people and prepare proper hand over notes for the new government in May, 2023.
Governor Wike, who congratulated the newly appointed commissioners, urged them to bring their wealth of experience to serve the state by rendering good stewardship.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration in delivering quality service to Rivers people till his last day in office.
The Board of Trustees (BoT), Governing Council and Management of PAMO University of Medical Sciences led by the Pro Chancellor, Dr Peter Odili, former Governor of Rivers State, also on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on the Rivers State Governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Odili said the visit was in appreciation of the enormous support of the Rivers State Governor to the University in the provision of grants and sponsorship of indigent Rivers indigenes to pursue careers in various fields in Medicine.
He thanked the Governor for the partnership of the Rivers State Government with the University which had spurred the institution to accelerated actualisation of its objectives.
The Pro Chancellor pointed out that the impact of Governor Wike’s support and scholarship to Rivers indigenes had given access to education to the beneficiaries with the potential of lifting their families out of poverty and expanding effective medical care services in the state.
Dr Odili further congratulated Governor Wike on the recent award conferred on him by the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for outstanding delivery of infrastructure in the state and described Governor Wike as the best Governor ever produced in Rivers State.
He said Wike had brought extraordinary dynamism in the transformation of Rivers State and consistently defended democratic values and made bold advocacy for the promotion of justice in Nigeria.
In his response, Governor Wike commended the management of PAMO University over the uncommon achievements recorded in the training of medical personnel within the short period of its institutional existence as the first Private University in the state, noting that the rare feat had made Rivers State proud.
He assured his guests of the continued support of his administration to the University, adding that plans would be put in place to expand the agreement and partnership of the Rivers State Government and the University beyond his administration.
Governor Wike also, within the week under review, hosted the United States Consul General to Nigeria, Will Stevens, who after a closed door meeting at his (Wike) private residence in Rumueprikom, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, joined the Governor to inspect ongoing projects billed for commissioning in November.
The projects included; Nabo Graham Dauglas Port Harcourt Centre of the Nigerian Law School; Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.
By: Beemene Taneh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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