News
Amaechi Woos 1.5m Non-Indigenes To APC
Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has created what the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Chuma Chinye, described as the 24th Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The new ‘local government’ is the Non-Indigene Political Pressure Group (NIPPG) in APC, Rivers State which, according to Barr. Chinye, is to protect the political interests of the over 1.5 million non-indigenes residing in Rivers State.
A statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by Senior Media Aide to the State APC Interim Chairman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “Barr. Chinye, the political leader of NIPPG, who hails from Delta State, affirmed the need to set up this structure – the first of its kind in any part of Nigeria – saying that it is in keeping with the antecedents of Governor Amaechi”, to give equal space to all residents of the state to participate in the political process.
Eze quoted Chinye as describing Amaechi “as a great leader whose patriotism is legendary and qualifies him as a true nationalist. In short, he is the hero and hope of the non-indigenes in Rivers State, if the ways he has carried the non-indigenes along in his administration are anything to go by.”
The statement said the commissioner “noted that Governor Amaechi has a history of giving non-indigenes a sense of belonging, as reflected in the composition of the State Executive Council.”
He pointed out that, “apart from himself, several other non-indigenes such as Mr. Ade Adeogun from Ekiti State, who mans the powerful Rivers State Sanitation Authority, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. David Iyofor, who hails from Delta State, are holding key positions in the Amaechi administration.”
He disclosed that “at a keenly contested election held in the State Secretariat of APC at Forces Avenue, old GRA, and Port Harcourt over the weekend, Chief Uchenna Okokoba defeated the duo of Alhaji Yusuf Tanko and Chief Williams Ubeka to emerge the interim coordinator of the Non-Indigene Group in APC Rivers.”
According to him, “in his acceptance speech, Chief Okokoba a grassroots mobiliser, declared that ‘the Non-Indigene Political Pressure Group is capable and ready to ensure that all non-indigenes in Rivers State not only join APC but also ensure that all the party’s candidates in Rivers State come the 2015 general polls win by a landslide as we account for about 40 per cent of the entire electorate in the state.”
He added: “I did it for Governor Amaechi in 2011 when we mobilised the Igbos to ensure that they voted for Governor Amaechi.”
Inaugurating the group on behalf of the Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the Interim Secretary of APC Rivers, Chief Emeka Bekee, said: “This is yet another strong signal of the doom awaiting PDP and other opposition parties during the 2015 elections.
“I assure you of the support of the governor and leadership of APC, so go out and mobilse your people to ensure that APC becomes the party to beat come 2015, seeing that Governor Amaechi recognizes and has made your people an integral part of his administration.”
Meanwhile, APC in Rivers State has concluded the harmonisation of the different groups that came together to form the party, namely the legacy party comprising the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and New Peoples Democratic Party (NPDP) in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The Interim State Chairman, APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, charged the harmonised steering committee of each of the local government areas to “go and spread the gospel of APC to all the nooks and crannies of the state, establish the wards steering committees and mobilise Rivers people to formally register with APC come February 5th, 2014 so that we can together ensure that our common opponent (PDP) is politically dealt with in the general elections come 2015.”
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
-
Oil & Energy2 days ago“PENGASSAN Orders Halt Of Gas Supply To Dangote Refinery
-
Education2 days ago
Students Eulogises PGSA Leadership Role in RSU dev
-
News2 days agoNigeria At 65: RSG Holds Special Church Service …Cleric Calls For Peace
-
Niger Delta2 days agoDelta, Tantita Security Services Inaugurate Classrooms for Inmate Education
-
Sports2 days agoChelsea Fall At Stamford Bridge
-
Editorial2 days agoCharge Before New Rivers Council Helmsmen
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoDigital Technology Key To Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Future
-
News2 days agoDisclose appointment process of INEC chairman, SERAP tells Tinubu