Politics
Wike Congratulates Egbemode, Njiowhor, Others
The congratulatory message sent by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to new executives of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) was among the top issues that started last week in Government House.
In the congratulatory message, Chief Wike congratulated the Managing Director of New Telegraph, Mrs Funke Egbemode who won a re-election bid as the President of Nigeria Guild of-Editors (NGE). The governor also congratulated the Director of Publications in the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Juliet Njiowhor for clinching a position in the NGE executive council.
Last Monday, the governor through the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani attended the Workers Day Rally held at the General Gowon Stadium, Elekahia.
He assured workers of prompt payment of salaries and emoluments, which he promised will remain top priority for his administration.
He assured that workers’ welfare would continue to be given due attention by his administration because he believes, that the workers are contributors to the development of the state.
The Workers Day rally was followed by another event to mark the State Golden Jubilee Anniversary. The event was organised by the Golden Jubilee Women Prayer Network led by Pastor Ene Secondus.
Speaking at the event, Chief Wike urged Christians to always uphold the state in prayers. He assured the people that he will continue to provide God-fearing leadership for the people of the state, using the resources to develop communities.
The State Governor, last Tuesday, embarked on project tour. He was in company of Chief Glory Emeh and visited the Ecumenical Centre and Pleasure Park at Aba Expressway.
Last Wednesday, ahead the traditional rulers day celebrations to mark the State Golden Jubilee, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar visited the state and addressed Muslim faithful in the state.
Speaking during an interactive session with Muslims in Rivers State, the President General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, enjoined residents to join hands with Chief Wike to move the state forward.
In his word: “Now that the noise of the campaigns are over, support the leader to succeed. If the leader succeeds, the community benefits. If the leader fails, the community suffers consequences”.
The governor through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu issued a statement last Wednesday evening affirming that the protest by labour on May Day against the Federal Government was a confirmation that people were fed up with the Buhari-led government.
The Sultan of Sokoto, last Thursday, in company of the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, laid foundation for the new ultra-modern Secretariat Complex for the State Traditional Rulers’ Council.
After the foundation laying ceremony, the two royal fathers together with Governor Wike went to the Obi Wali Conference Centre for the Golden Jubilee celebrations specially designated for traditional rulers. The event witnessed lectures, drama, dance and exhibition.
The State Governor remarked at the event that, “we have no doubt when the history of Rivers State will be written, the sacrifices and contributions of the traditional institution toward building a peaceful, united and prosperous state will be lined in gold prints”.
Last Friday, the governor met with the State Golden Jubilee Anniversary Committee, shortly after the meeting, he embarked on project inspection in company of Senator George Sekibo.
The Governor, was at Ngo town, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area to witness Thanksgiving and celebration of the Okaan-Ama of Ngo Land, King Job Williams Okuniket-Nnabiget (XIV). He urged the people to be united and promised that Andoni people will continue to get the best from his-administration.
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.
-
News3 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime3 days agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News3 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News3 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News3 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime3 days agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment