Politics
Wike Unveils Rivers Golden Jubilee Logo
The official unveiling of the Rivers State Golden Jubilee logo by Governor Nyesom Wike took the shine off many activities in Government House last week.
Unveiling of the logo witnessed a massive attendance at the Dr Obi Wali Conference Centre. The event which held on Wednesday was also attended by political, traditional, women, youth and business leaders of the state.
Chief Wike who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike said the event has a special and historic significance to the existence of Rivers people and their journey to greatness.
He recalled that before the creation of the state, the people, including those carved to Bayelsa State existed as second class citizens in their own country, oppressed, exploited and dehumanised and denied even the most basic opportunities.
The governor maintained that, “Every Rivers person was therefore relieved when General Yakubu Gown on 27th May, 1967 dismantled the regional geo-political fortresses of majority denomination and pronounced the creating of Rivers State, which unchained and restored our rights to preside over our own affairs and pursue our development aspirations within a united Nigeria.”
Shortly after the unveiling, the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Committee, chaired by Chief Ferdinand Anabrabra addressed a world press conference where he confirmed that the celebrations cuts across all political divide and is aimed at uniting and charting a course for a NEW Rivers State.
Later in the evening of last Wednesday, Chief Wike and the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo attended an exclusive dinner organised for the General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye by the Christ the Redeemer Friend International.
Wike, at the Christian dinner, said the state will continue to work toward her partnership with churches to consolidate on the gains of peace building.
Last Thursday, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Harry-Banigo addressed journalists in a one-day seminar/workshop on stress and other health related issues organised by the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Administration, the deputy governor opined that the state government was committed to the health of its citizens.
On the same last Thursday, the governor flagged off the construction of Edcoha-Ikata-Ochigba-Ozochi road in Ahoada East Local Government Area. Performing the commencement of the construction of the road, the Rivers State Chief Executive said the contract was awarded in fulfillment of his promise to former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Chibudom Nwuche.
Last Friday, the governor played host to the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by its chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egbe. But before the day, the governor, through his deputy at Abuja, received the Authority Newspaper Governor of the Year Award.
Speaking to the NDDC Board and Management Board that visited him Chief Wike harped on the need for synergy between the State Governments and the commission to ensure that projects are not duplicated or frustrated.
Shortly after the courtesy call on the same Friday, the Rivers State Governor hosted principals and proprietors of private schools in the state, intimating them of new policies and programmes of government and warned that those that fail to comply will have their approvals suspended.
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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