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GROUP TASKS NEW RIVERS COMMISSIONERS ON SERVICE DELIVERY 

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5 months ago

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The International Society for Social Justice And Human Rights has called on the newly sworn in commissioners in Rivers State to undertake a comprehensive institutional audit of their respective ministries in order to strengthen their capacities for service delivery.
The Society which said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also called on them to rise above factional loyalty and personal politics in the discharge of their duties, adding that the people of Rivers State expect so much from them.
It said the appointment of the commissioners came at a time the state was in dire need of development, stressing that they were expected to a lot for the people of Rivers State.
According to the statement signed by the Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice And Human Rights, Dr Omenazu Jackson, it behoves on the new appointees to show strength and capacity by ensuring effective implementation of policies and programmes that will change the lives of Rivers people for the better.
“The appointment of five new commissioners in Rivers State comes at a defining moment in the political and economic history of the state. Public confidence in governance has been strained by prolonged political tensions, while the economic realities confronting ordinary citizens continue to grow harsher. In such a climate, the task before these commissioners is not ceremonial; it is profoundly consequential.
“The people of Rivers State expect leadership that rises above factional loyalty and personal political alignments”, the statement said.
It said their allegiance must be to the people of Rivers State and not to any individual or groups.
According to the statement, “The commissioners must understand clearly that their allegiance is owed first and foremost to the state and its people, not to individuals or temporary political camps. Institutions endure longer than personalities, and it is through the strengthening of institutions that stability and progress can be achieved.
“Each commissioner must therefore begin with an honest institutional audit of his or her ministry. Ministries in many Nigerian states suffer from bureaucratic inertia, weak accountability systems, and slow service delivery mechanisms.
“These structural weaknesses frustrate citizens and undermine development. The new commissioners must take deliberate steps to dismantle these inefficiencies. Clear service benchmarks, transparent procedures, and measurable performance targets should become the operational culture of every ministry”.
The Society emphasised the need for prompt service delivery which, it said, must become the defining signature of this administration.
The Society noted that “Government exists to serve the people, and the quality of governance is measured not by speeches but by how quickly and efficiently citizens can access services.
“Whether it is the processing of permits, the execution of infrastructure projects, or the implementation of social programs, ministries must adopt modern administrative methods that prioritize efficiency, transparency, and accountability”.
It said that the current economic realities in the state have underscored the need for the new commissioners to prioritize initiatives that stimulate small and medium enterprises with the view to creating employment opportunities for the people.
“Equally important is the economic reality facing the people of Rivers State. Inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power continue to weigh heavily on households. Government policies must therefore focus on economic relief and productivity. Commissioners should prioritize initiatives that stimulate small and medium enterprises, support agricultural production, encourage youth employment, and ensure that government financial obligations, particularly payments to contractors and workers are handled responsibly and without delay.
“Governance must also reconnect with the grassroots. Ministries should strengthen collaboration with local government structures so that policies formulated at the state level translate into tangible improvements in communities across the state.
“Development must not remain an abstract promise made in government offices; it must become a visible reality in the lives of ordinary citizens.
“Transparency will be essential in restoring public trust. Ministries should regularly publish information regarding budgets, project timelines, procurement processes, and implementation outcomes. When citizens are informed, suspicion reduces and accountability increases.
“Ultimately, the appointment of these commissioners offers an opportunity for administrative renewal. If they approach their responsibilities with integrity, discipline, and loyalty to the state rather than to individuals, they can help rebuild the moral authority of governance in Rivers State.
“Leadership is tested not in times of comfort but in moments of crisis. The people of Rivers State now look to these commissioners to prove that public service can still be guided by competence, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the common good”, it said.
By: John Bibor
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INEC Extends Candidate Submission Deadline Till ‘Morow

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1 week ago

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August 10, 2026

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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.

 

 

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2027: INEC Extends Submission Deadline For Assembly, Guber Candidates 

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1 week ago

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August 10, 2026

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties three extra days to complete the submission of candidates for the February 2027 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

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.

 

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Yilwatda’s Birthday Outreach Demonstrates Leadership – Kefas

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1 week ago

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August 10, 2026

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The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has described the medical outreach organised by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, as a powerful demonstration of leadership and compassion.

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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