Politics
Wike Flags-Off Football Academy Soon
The conferment of Power of Sports (PoS) Award on the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, Wednesday in Belgium by International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Africa dominated events last week, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor left the state penultimate Saturday for Brussel for the award which was bestowed on him in recognition of his huge contributions to sports promotion and developments.
Wike reiterated that the award would spur him to further dedicate himself to the construction of a New Rivers State, stressing that investments of his administration would earn the state global acclaim.
He also stated that the state’s investments in sports, particularly the Real Madrid Football Academy is aimed at empowering youths with the right footballing skills and education to conquer the world.
He announced that the construction of the Real Madrid Football Academy would be flagged off on May 28, 2018 in Port Harcourt.
The Governor, who returned to the state on Thursday embarked on inspection of ongoing projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas same day.
Among the projects he inspected were Mother and Child Hospital, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, Judges Quarters, Restaurants and Cinema, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Slaughter Road, Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Doctors Quarters, Land Reclamation at Ogbunabali Nkpogu, Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, Abacha Road and Mgbuoshimini Primary Health-care centre.
Inauguration of a Technical Committee on Ifoko, Tema Boundary Dispute by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, was another major event in Government House Port Harcourt, last week.
The Deputy Governor, who is also the Chairman, Rivers State Boundary Commission restated the commitment of the present administration towards fostering peace and development in all communities in the state.
She said, the committee became necessary following a report during a stakeholders meeting between Ifoko and Tema Communities in Asari Toru Local Government Area held on 13th February 2018.
The Deputy Governor charged the committee to adhere strictly to its terms of reference to ensure that the matter is settled amicably.
Chairman of the committee, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in members and assured that the committee would look at all issues dispassionately to bring about a fair, objective and balanced report that will ultimately restore peace in the area.
Governor Wike, last Friday, inaugurated 319 local government and ward liaison officers at Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike stated that their main role is to bring activities of the state government to the grassroot, especially against the backdrop of the fact that some selfish individuals were in the habit of distorting facts to influence people in their interest.
The governor also disclosed that he would soon appoint unit liaison officers.
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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