Politics
Port Harcourt Ring Road Remains Our Signature Project – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project being handled by Julius Berger Plc remains the signature project of his administration.
Governor Fubara, who disclosed this while speaking to news men shortly after inspecting the project on Wednesday, explained that the contract for the Port Harcourt Ring Road was one of the first contracts and agreements he signed on assumption of office as governor.
He expressed satisfaction over the level of work done and assured that the necessary support will be provided to enable the company deliver the project on schedule.
The inspection was conducted through the Elikpokwuodu Community, Rumuosi, Ozuoba, UTC Junction axis of the Ring Road project, cutting across three local government areas of the state – Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City.
“Considering the understanding we have with Julius Berger, we find out that this project will be done and delivered on schedule, and with what we are seeing, they’re meeting up that target.
“I think we had a little problem with pricing at that time, but what ever it is, I’ve assured them I will give them all the necessary support to make sure they deliver .
“This project is very important to us, it’s one of the first things I signed when I became the governor of this state. it’s a signature project to me which ever way any body want to look at it, we signed for and we’re paying dearly for it”, he said.
In his remark the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Plc, Dr Lars Richter, who accompanied the Governor on the inspection, said the company was working hard to deliver the project on schedule, despite some few challenges associated with payments of compensation and relocation.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Christian Council of Nigeria on a delegation to Government House, Port Harcourt.
The meeting, which held behind closed door, focused on the policy thrusts of his administration in revamping the agriculture, health and education sectors of the Rivers economy.
The leader of the delegation and National President of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Reverend David Onuoha, who spoke with newsmen after the meeting, said they were excited with the Governor for making peace central in his administration.
“We are so excited, first at his peaceful disposition. For him, peace is central in everything. He is quoted as saying that no sacrifice is too much for the peace of Rivers State. I think that is very commendable.
“We gave him an award as a ‘Pillar of Ecumenism’ because of his peaceful disposition and cordial relationship with churches in this State, irrespective of denominations. So, we felt we should encourage him to do more.
“And again, he has intimated us with his plans of placing emphasis on agriculture, health, and education. These are very laudable.
“We can only pray that God will give him the grace to actualise and implement all these,” he added.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also on Thursday attended the send forth reception in honour of Justice Mary Odili as she bowed out as the 51st Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB) after one year (April 2023-March 2024) of meritorious service to the body.
The event, which held at the Halimatu Abdullahi Turaki Hall of the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, witnessed her Vice, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, taking over the mantle as the new Chairman of BoB.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Governor commended Justice Odili for her invaluable contributions to the enrichment of the body of jurisprudence and the legal profession throughout her years of meritorious service to the State and country.
Governor Fubara also expressed satisfaction with her record of exemplary performance and sacrifices within her one year as Chairman of the Body of Benchers in Nigeria.
He said, “The Government and people of Rivers State are proud of your contributions to the advancement of jurisprudence, and indeed, the legal profession in Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that your one year tenure as Chairman of the Body of Benchers has ushered in reforms to ensure discipline, due process and respect for rule of law among lawyers.
“As a Government, we thank you for your immeasurable service both to our dear State and the nation”.
In her remarks, Justice Mary Odili expressed deep appreciation to the Body of Benchers for the honour done her, and promised to always support them in whatever way possible to enable the Bench succeed.
By: Taneh Beemene
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.