Politics
RSG Releases N16.6bn For RSU’s Upgrade, New Campuses
Last week was unique in the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. Unique in the sense that some issues with far-reaching impacts in the life of the people of the state were taken.
The state Government, last Thursday, released a whopping sum of N16.6 billion for the upgrade of facilities in the Rivers State University (RSU).
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who disclosed this to journalists, said N9billion out of the amount will serve as take-off grants for the establishment of three new campuses of the university in Etche, Emohua and Ahoada local government areas.
Each of the new campuses has N3billion to construct faculty buildings, hostels, offices, lecture halls, libraries among other take-off facilities.
Nsirim further disclosed that N7.6 billion was released to enable the College of Medical Sciences establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology building.
Also last week, Rivers State Government agreed with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to address all pending labour concerns in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, who disclosed this last Friday, after a meeting between the State Government and Labour in Port Harcourt, said an agreement on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of N30,000.00 which took effect from 1st January, 2020 has been executed.
He said a tripartite Committee which would commence sitting this week, had been set up to have a detailed discussion of all outstanding issues.
According to the SSG, “ Rivers State Government has agreed and commenced implementation of the payment of check-off dues and the payment of arrears of salaries of Health Workers in the State Public Service who participated in the sympathy strike of 2017 under the auspices of JOHESU.
“Other issues which were raised by Labour such as: Need for payment of arrears of minimum wage, promotion of civil servants from 2012, payment of arrears of salaries to some civil servants who weren’t paid their February and March,2016 salaries due to the aborted 2016 biometric verification exercise etc”.
The sports community in the state also had reasons to celebrate as the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last week in Brick House released some mouth- watering motivations to Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt, Rivers Angels including their technical crew as well as the supporters club.
Governor Wike who presented a state- of- the -art Yutong luxury buses, ambulances to both Rivers United FC and Rivers Angels FC, promised a donation of coaster bus to the supporters club.
He challenged players of Rivers United to make the state proud by winning the forthcoming Confederation of African Football ( CAF) tournament, assuring them that the state government would change their lives.
Governor Wike also charged Rivers United to win their match against Enyimba, adding that as they return, a bonus of N20million awaits the team.
“ Henceforth, for the Rivers United, any match you win away, you will have a bonus of N10million. The same amount applies to Rivers Angels”, Gov Wike said.
Another major event in Brick House within the week under review was the courtesy visit by the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Governor Wike accused NDDC of defrauding Rivers State Government in a failed partnership to build a Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt.
He also expressed displeasure that Governors of the Niger Delta region were being sidelined in the affairs of the commission because they belong to the opposition party.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.