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Nigerians Carpet Minister Over Buhari’s Global Support Claim

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blasted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama for claiming that many leaders across the globe were in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid to re-contest the Presidency in 2019.
In a statement in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said the minister and APC leaders were deluding themselves.
‘’It is delusion. They are just deluding themselves. How can they say the international community is supporting President Buhari’s second term bid, in spite of his poor performance and failure? Why are you bothered about what they are saying? They are just deluding themselves,’’ the party said.
It would be recalled that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, had deflated the story making the rounds that the international community was strongly against President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.
He also said that it was not true that Nigeria went into recession because international investors frightfully withdrew their funds because of President Buhari’s utterances and hard-line posture against corruption.
His statement, however, drew the ire of Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed and the PDP, who agreed that the poor performance of the present government would not elicit the support of the international community.
Onyeama stated that to the contrary, Nigeria under President Buhari had been enjoying the goodwill of the international community, to the extent of being supportive of his second term bid.
He made the remarks yesterday at Awgu, Enugu State, when Enugu West Peoples Assembly donated vehicles in support of President Buhari’s 2019 presidential election campaign.
Onyeama said: “The international community is very supportive of President Buhari. As you can see President Buhari has transformed our relationship with foreign countries and also the perception of Nigeria by foreign leaders. An evidence of that is the rate and number of high level foreign leaders that are coming to Nigeria.
“Next week, for instance, which is very unusual for any country, we are having the UK Prime Minister and two days later will be the visit of the German Chancellor.
‘’This shows what they feel about President Buhari; that Nigeria is now a country they want to do business with.”
On the allegation that President Buhari’s posture and speeches were scaring away international investors, Onyeama said: “It’s on the contrary. Mr. President has taken the initiative to establish the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, chaired by the Vice President and the World Bank ranks countries according to ease of doing business.
“Within one year of Mr. President establishing this council, and taking measures to make doing business easier, Nigeria has jumped about 25 places in the World Bank ranking and has been promoting the most impressive jobs in Nigeria in the last one year. So, the whole world is seeing that Nigeria under President Buhari is more and more a place of doing business.”
Reacting to the minister’s claim, yesterday, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, challenged him to name the countries supporting Buhari’s second term bid.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “Well, he should be specific and name the countries in the international community that support him. The last time, we heard the United Kingdom talking about the killings in Nigeria. Also, the Americans talked about the killings in Nigeria. So, we want to know which of the international community is supporting Buhari’s second term.
‘’Is it Afghanistan, Iraq or Turkey? He should name the world powers so that we can ask those countries if they think what is going on in Nigeria now should continue, except those international community are the ones I mentioned now like Iraq, Afghanistan or Turkey.”
Also reacting in a similar vein, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said: “If I were a member of the media, I would dismiss the claim by Onyeama.
He is lying, he knows he is lying. The international community he is purporting to be speaking for knows he is lying.
‘’The kind of characters, who have been brought into office speak volumes about the incompetence and irresponsibility of the Buhari administration.
‘’Because of his friend he was made the foreign minister when he knows nothing about this country. That is why he has nothing to offer to this country.
“That is why they will be claiming to speak on behalf of the international community. That is why nothing in this country moves and nothing is going to move. We have the wrong people in sensitive positions.
‘’It is not in the nature of international diplomacy and international community to say so. I don’t think they are going to dignify the claims by the Buhari administration. But those, who have a connection with the international community, know that it has nothing but contempt for the Buhari administration because of poor performance.
‘’I was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic and I have contacts in the international community. I know what I am talking about. If they are relying on that and nothing more on performance and competence, Buhari is going to be disappointed,” he added.

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Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers  …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service 

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The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.

 

He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.

 

 

 

This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.

 

 

 

Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.

 

 

 

The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.

 

 

 

Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.

 

 

 

“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.

 

 

 

“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.

 

 

 

The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.

 

 

 

“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

 

 

 

He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.

 

 

 

“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.

 

 

 

In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.

 

 

 

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.

 

 

 

He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.

 

 

 

He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.

 

 

 

The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.

 

 

 

Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.

 

 

 

Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.

 

 

 

Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

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The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.

 

Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.

 

He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.

 

“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.

 

“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.

 

“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.

 

“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.

 

“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.

 

Enoch Epelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute

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Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.

He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.

He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’

Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.

According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.

“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.

“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”

Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.

He,  however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.

On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.

“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.

“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.

He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.

Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.

Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.

Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.

He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.

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