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Rivers Guber Poll: Group Endorses Fubara
A socio-cultural and political group in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Apex Intact Movement (AIM), has thrown its weight behind the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and endorsed him as the next governor of the State.
The group which made its position known during the flag off of the PDP campaign in Buguma Town, headquarters of the local government expressed delight over the massive turn out of the people during the campaign, saying, the PDP standard bearer possesses the requisite qualities and pedigree to govern the oil-rich State if elected on March 11, 2023.
Speaking in an interview, the Founder and Principal of the group, Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, said his organisation had endorsed Fubara as the next governor of the state, assuring that members of the group would mobilise the people to vote for Fubara at the poll.
Ginah, who spoke through his media aide, Prince Abiye Bala said the group was poised to support the PDP candidate as it has already endorsed him, stressing that “My principal, Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, is fully behind Sir Fubara and all the other PDP candidates in Rivers State.”
He said the group was also happy over the large turn out of Kalabari people at the campaign rally and urged the people to be armed with their permanent voter cards so that they would be able to vote for all the PDP candidates during the forthcoming elections.
Ginah also hinted that his group had been involved in a number of humanitarian works and philanthropic activities, such as award of scholarships to indigent students; promotion of businesses through granting of soft loans; youth empowerment schemes for Kalabari indigenes; among others.
He equally disclosed that the group also disbursed some funds to 50 Kalabari undergraduates as part of the first phase of its bursary payments to the beneficiaries in order to create for them an enabling environment for quality and functional education.
He admonished the beneficiaries to judiciously use the money as well as concentrate on their academic work in order to be part of nation building.
Ginah also urged the people of Kalabari Kingdom to remain peaceful during and after the elections.
In a related development, the Founder and Principal of Apex Intact Movement (AIM), Hon Tamunoiminabo Ginah, has called on the people of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State not to hesitate to vote for the PDP governorship flag bearer, Sir Siminialayi Fubara during the governorship election.
Ginah, who made the call during the PDP campaign rally in Abonnema recently said the onus was on the people to vote for Fubara and all other PDP candidates at the polls as a way of reciprocating what Governor Nyesom Wike has done for the Kalabari people, stressing that the Governor had done for the people what his precessor could not do for them.
He disclosed that the Wike administration had awarded and completed several development projects like the Abonnema Ring Road, Abonnema -Obonoma link road; renovation and upgrading of Nyemoni Grammar School; Community Secondary School, Obuama; Government Secondary School; among others.
He, therefore, urged the people to give their support to the Governor by voting for Fubara and other PDP candidates at the polls, as this would be a way of reciprocating the dividends of democracy which Governor Wike had given to AKULGA people and the entire Kalabari people.
The Chairman of AIM, Hon Dumo Black Duke had in his address at the rally reiterated the position of the founder of the group and assured PDP of his principal’s willingness and commitment to ensure that the party coasts home to victory at the polls.
On his part, the spokesman of the group, Hon Abiye Bala also reiterated the commitment of Hon. Tamunoiminabo Ginah to work with PDP in the local government to ensure victory of the party at the elections inorder to consolidate Governor Wike’s good works.
By: Donatus Ebi
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.