Politics
Speaker Urges Peace, Unity
Activities marking the celebration of Rivers State Golden Jubilee may have taken its toll on the state House of Assembly as it has not held plenary for four weeks.
However, the Assembly’s Committee on Environment led by its Chairman, Hon. Christian Ahiakwu, last Tuesday, visited Monier Construction Company (MCC) to ascertain the company’s level of compliance to environmental laws in the state.
Addressing the management of the company Ahiakwu said that the Assembly is liaising with the State ministry of environment in assessment of the Ambient Air Quality Standard of the state using the statistical activities of companies operating in the state and their levels of compliance to the environmental laws.
He said the Assembly’s oversight function in visiting all the companies operating in the State were aimed at having full knowledge of the cause of the recent black soots and air pollution that can cause unhealthy environment for adequate data to provide effective solution.
He also dismissed insinuations in some quarters of the state that the Assembly’s recent tours to companies in the state were aimed at witch-hunting and extorting money from companies, saying that the legislature is committed to assist the ministry and agencies on environment to ensure effective environment for healthy living and business activities in the state.
He commended the management of the company for its strict compliance to the environmental laws and for ensuring that its activities do not have any negative effect on people and the environment.
On his part, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (MCC), Senator John Azuta Mbata, said the company’s management made it a serious offence for any employee, consultants or sub-contractors who flouts directives on environmental laws.
He said the management has always ensured that its activities do not impact negatively on residents.
He directed the General Manager of the company, Omaka Oke, to conduct the committee members for inspection of the company’s facilities and operation in its various sites in the state.
Also, the House of Assembly’s Speaker, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and some lawmakers in the state, last Thursday, accompanied Governor Wike to the State Golden Jubilee Women Day celebration held at the Obi-Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt.
Last Saturday, the House Speaker and a few lawmakers were in the entourage of the state governor, for the State Golden Jubilee Boat Regatta held at Tourist Beach, Borokiri, Port Harcourt.
Addressing participants at the event, Ibani urged them to see the Golden Jubilee celebration as an important one aimed at promoting the culture of Rivers people.
He advised them to use the good opportunity of the celebration to imbibe the spirit of unity and love, saying that it is only when people live in peace and harmony that can be engendered in the society.
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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