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I’ll Bring Peace To Rivers PDP, Ag Chair Assures
The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron, has given assurance that his tenure would bring peace between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, and advised party faithful to intensify prayers.
Addressing the congregation during the bi-weekly prayer and worship session tagged, “One Hour With Jesus”, at the party’s office on yesterday, Aaron said what was needed to bring enduring peace to both men was consistent prayers.
The acting chairman said enemies of the state were not happy with the cordial relationship that has existed between the FCT minister and the state governor, and were doing everything possible to scatter them, but expressed optimism that with persistent prayers, the plan of the enemies would fail.
Aaron, who said he was happy to talk about Amb Desmond Akawor at any time, noted that throughout Akawor’s stay as PDP chairman, they never had any disagreement, and thanked Akawor for handing over to him with happiness.
“I am very happy to talk about Amb Desmond Akawor. Throughout my working with him, we never had any issue. I thank him for handing over to me with joy. I thank the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; and Amb Desmond Akawor; for agreeing that I should take over as acting chairman, because if they didn’t agree, I won’t have been here”, he said.
He warmed those perpetuating crisis in the state to desist, disclosing that the FCT minister and the governor were like father and son, and whatever was between them would soon be resolved.
“For those who are writing, blackmailing, gossiping and spreading false rumours, they need to stop. They should thread with caution because it is a family affair and once it is resolved they would be the looser. People are not happy that this is a PDP state and also a Christian state. Those who want to destroy the state will fail”, he warned.
Aaron, who asked for wisdom, knowledge, grace and understanding to pilot the affairs of the party, solicited the support of the Executive Committee of the party, staff and the entire congregation to enable him succeed.
The acting chairman congratulated Governor Fubara over his victory at both the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court, emphasising that the judgement had solidified the unity in the party.
Aaron said PDP had expected nothing than victory due to the massive campaigns the party embarked upon across the state and the overwhelming support it received through the people’s votes during the election.
He also stated that the party was proud that after eight years as governor of Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Chief Nyesom Wike as FCT minister, adding that with the appointment, the President has shown that he loves Rivers people, and thanked the President for the gesture.
He explained that within few months of Wike’s appointment as minister, many Rivers people have also been given federal appointments, saying that the development had lessen the burden on the governor.
He advised staff to remain committed to their duties and also pray for peace in the state.
“For the staff, you have the capacity, you have shown commitment, you supported Amb Desmond Akawor. I need your support, Exco I need your support. We will work as a team”, he said.
The acting chairman also held separate meetings with staff of PDP office and members of the State Executive Committee.
At both fora, Aaron emphasized on team work, commitment, dedication to duty and loyalty.
Present at the event were the State Secretary, Dr Benibo George; State Woman Leader, Mrs Miriam Ogbonda; PDP Vice Chairman, Rivers South East, his Rivers East counterpart, and state publicity secretary of the party, among others.
News
FG Ends Passport Production At Multiple Centres After 62 Years

The Nigeria Immigration Service has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this yesterday while inspecting Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
He said the centralised production system aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for better service delivery.
News
FAAC Disburses N2.225trn For August, Highest In Nigeria

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed N2.225 trillion as federation revenue for the month of August 2025, the highest ever allocation to the three tiers of government and other statutory recipients.
This marks the second consecutive month that FAAC disbursements have crossed the N2 trillion mark.
The revenue, shared at the August 2025 FAAC meeting in Abuja, was buoyed by increases in oil and gas royalty, value-added tax (VAT), and common external tariff (CET) levies, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting.
Out of the N2.225 trillion total distributable revenue, FAAC said N1,478.593 trillion came from statutory revenue, N672.903 billion from VAT, N32.338 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and N41.284 billion from Exchange Difference.
The communiqué revealed that gross federation revenue for the month stood at N3.635 trillion. From this amount, N124.839 billion was deducted as cost of collection, while N1,285.845 trillion was set aside for transfers, interventions, refunds, and savings.
From the statutory revenue of N1.478 trillion, the Federal Government received N684.462 billion, State Governments received N347.168 billion, and Local Government Councils received N267.652 billion. A further N179.311 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) went to oil-producing states as derivation revenue.
From the distributable VAT revenue of N672.903 billion, the Federal Government received N100.935 billion, the states received N336.452 billion, while the local governments got N235.516 billion.
Of the N32.338 billion shared from EMTL, the Federal Government received N4.851 billion, the States received N16.169 billion, and the Local Governments received N11.318 billion.
From the N41.284 billion exchange difference, the Federal Government received N19.799 billion, the states received N10.042 billion, and the local governments received N7.742 billion, while N3.701 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the oil-producing states as derivation.
News
KenPoly Governing Council Decries Inadequate Power Supply, Poor Infrastructure On Campus
The Governing Council of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, has decried the inadequate power supply and poor state of infrastructural facilities and equipment at the institution.
The Council also appealed to the government, including Non-Governmental Organisations, agencies, as well as well-meaning Rivers people to intervene to restore and sustain the laudable gesture, dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the polytechnic.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Council, Professor Friday B. Sigalo, made this appeal during a tour of facilities at the Polytechnic, recently.
Accompanied by members of the team, Prof Sigalo emphasised the position of technology, technical and vocational education in sustainable development.
He noted that with the prospects on ground, and the programmes and activities undertaken in the polytechnic, there is no doubt that the institution would add values to the educational system in our society and foster the desired development, if the existing challenges are jointly tackled.
This was contained in a statement signed by Deputy Registrar, Public Relations, Kenpoly, Innocent Ogbonda-Nwanwu, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
The chairman who restated the intention of his team of technocrats to ensure that KenPoly enjoys desirable face-lift, said the Council would deliver on its core mandates, accordingly.
Earlier, the Rector, KenPoly Engr. Dr. Ledum S. Gwarah, commended the appointment of Professor Friday B. Sigalo as Chairman of the KenPoly Governing Council.
He described him and his team as seasoned technocrats and expressed confidence in their ability to succeed.
The Rector pledged the management’s support to the Council to ensure that KenPoly resumes its rightful place in the comity of polytechnics in the country.
Facilities visited by the Governing Council include KenPoly workshops, laboratories, skills acquisition centre, library, hostels and medical centre.
Chinedu Wosu
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