Politics
WHO Hails Wike Over Lasser Fever, Polio
Last week in Government House was ushered in with the
governor attending the third synod of the Diocese of Ikwerre at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry –Banigo, assured of the state government’s intervention to ensure the smooth completion of the airport project, in order to ease hardship faced by air travellers.
He said the Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency would be mobilised to Omerelu to rehabilitate internal road network in the area.
On Monday last week Governor Wike swore-in the substantive president of the customary court of Appeal, Justice Gabriel Nwankwo in government House. The governor charged her to work in conjunction with the Chief Judge of the state as there was no need to contend seniority. Wike, reminded Justice Nwankwo that the stability and efficiency in justice delivery is primary urging her to carry her colleagues along in the course of her administration.
Shortly after, Governor Wike played host to students of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (NIPSS). During the visit governor Wike promised that his primary focus will be to work toward bettering the lives of the common people of Rivers State.
Further stating, Wike said, “I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of the people of Rivers State. It doesn’t matter who initiated such policy as long as it favours our people”.
On the same day, Governor Wike tavelled to Jigawa State to attend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership drive at Dutse. At the registration rally to senitise the people, the Rivers State governor declared that “what happened in 2015 has opened the eyes of Nigerians. Nigerians have lost faith in APC, from what we have seen. Its obvious that Nigerians were deceived”.
On his part, former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido declared that the PDP is the antidote of the APC and promised that PDP will provide answers to the developmental needs of Nigerians.
The Rivers State Chief Executive received the new branch controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt, Mr Kazeem Alaka and promised that his administration will focus on oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state by the CBN.
Wike commended the CBN Governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies. He stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
Later on the same day, the governor conducted inspection of some ongoing projects in the state. He visited the second phase of the Nkpogu Bridge.
Also Tuesday, the African Bar Association (ABA) led by its President Hanmibal Unalo paid a courtesy visit to the governor during which the body conferred on Wike life membership title. Unifo disclosed that the award was in recognition of Governor Wike’s effort in reviving the indecency in Rivers State, adding that the Rivers State governor has proved himself to be a good ambassador of the legal profession.
On Wednesday, the governor played host to the World Health Organistion’s representative in Nigeria, Dr Riv Game Vas in Government House. The WHO representative was full of praises for Governor Wike most especially in combating the menace of Lassa Fever in the state early this year and sustaining the effort in making the country polio free in the past 21 months.
On the same Wednesday the governor through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu commiserated with Enugu State Government over deaths arising from attacks by Fulani herdsmen. He also commiserated with the people of Ekiti State over the death of six medical doctors and their driver on their way to Sokoto State for NMA meeting.
Returning to the state on Friday after attending Nigeria Governor’s Forum meeting with President Buhari on Thursday, governor Wike paid a condolence visit to the Aptiti of Rumueme, Nyeweli Nyeche Nsirim over the untimely death] of his son Ovunda, Nsirim, a former member of House of Representatives. He also condoled with Edo people over the demise of Oba of Benin. But on Saturday the governor attended the PDP Ward Congress in his ward at Rumueprikom.
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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