Politics
Wike Woos European Investors
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has urged European investors to take advantage of his government’s economic sound policies and friendly business environment to invest in the state.
Speaking, Tuesday at a special programme organised for Rivers State by the Financial Times, tagged: “Invest in Rivers State”, at the world’s leading financial publishing Company in London, the governor said return on investment in the state is the highest in Nigeria.
Wike stated that the state under his administration has provided visibility gap, funding, minimum revenue guarantee, land provision for development, attractive subsidies, reduction and exemption from payment of taxes and levies to boost investment and called on foreign investors to take advantage of the rare business friendly policy of his government to home and invest.
Wike further informed investors, particularly in the oil and gas sector that they would benefit from the presence of the Oil and Gas Free zone in the state, adding that the facility provides beautiful opportunities for the establishment of business across the oil and gas value chain.
He said business opportunities in the state remain limitless, especially in information technology, tourism and hospitality ag,riculture, housing and manufacturing.
The governor returned to the state, Wednesday, to meet a delegation of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He commended the delegation for their strong support to his administration and promised that the state government will continue to give CAN all the much needed support.
Wike however, appealed to CAN to mobilise the large Christian population in the state to obtain the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and actively participate in policy making which, according to him, begins from voting in candidates of their choice.
He also urged them to preach against youth-related vices and spread of fake information against the state government.
The governor also used the opportunity to explain the benefits derivable from the newly signed Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch Law, saying apart from synergizing with security agencies by ways of information gathering and intelligence, it would also create large employment opportunities for youths who would be involved in its implementation.
Wike assured CAN that the state government would embark on renovation of the association’s secretariat in the state to enable them run their affairs effectively.
CAN Director, Legal Affairs, Barrister Dan Obinna who read the address of the body commended Governor Wike for massive infrastructure he put in place across the state and his unrelenting fight against crime and lauded the Neigbourhood Watch scheme.
Obinna said CAN will continue to mobilise christians in the state and beyond to sustain prayers and fasting for the state against enemies of progress and urged Wike not to relent in giving the state the best.
CAN also congratulated the governor for the numerous awards he received from state, national and global levels, noting that the awards were testimonies of his hard work which the body is proud of.
Another major event in Government House last week was the swearing in of four new commissioners and care-takers committee of Degema Local Government Area.
Wike disclosed his intention to embark on a minor cabinet reshuffle and urged the appointees to see their assignment as opportunity to add value to the state service and not to enrich themselves.
Wike declared roar against imposition of candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the June 16,2018 Local Government Poll draws near.
He warned party leaders that the era of imposition of candidate in the state is over and vowed to fight anyone who attempts to impose anybody on the people.
Chris Oluoh
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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