Featured
Your PhD Is Empty, Wike Blasts Peterside …Says He Lacks Understanding Of How Economy, Budget Work …As Tambuwal Unveils 10km Odiokwu Internal Roads
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has berated the former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside for speaking about Rivers economy from the point of ignorance.
The governor wondered why Peterside, with his educational attainment, would say that merely because the budget figures of Lagos and Akwa Ibom states are higher, compared to Rivers’ budget, it means that Rivers economy was performing poorly.
He said if a man, who is that ignorant, refused to be silent but comes to public discourse to display such loose grasp of the subject matter, people would question his academic status.
Wike, therefore, stated that Perterside puts a question mark on his doctoral degree, otherwise, how could he say that the performance of the economy was dependent on budgetary estimates.
“When they asked him about the budget of Rivers State, he said the mere fact that Lagos State budget is very high, the mere fact that Akwa Ibom budget is very high, and Rivers State budget is low, that means the economy is not doing well.
“A PhD holder saying that the performance of an economy is based on the size of a budget. Does that mean that Cross River that had a budget of N1.3trillion has performed more than every other state economy?”
Wike also decried the low level of understanding showed by Peterside when he claimed that there was no governance in Rivers State.
The governor queried Perterside’s understanding of governance, saying that he served in the last administration when all the courts in Rivers State were shut for two years, and they also failed to deliver the Opobo Road to enable Opobo people drive on road to their country home.
“They asked him about governance, he said there is no governance in Rivers State. I agree with him. There was governance when the courts were shut down. You are aware that the courts were shut down for almost two years. There was governance at that time.
“There was governance when there was no road to Opobo. There was governance when they put bill one to rob Rivers State. You award a job of N7billion, in bill one is N4.5billion. Now, there is no governance because bill one has been removed? Now, there is no governance because you can drive to Opobo? Now, there is no governance because you can go to the court to seek for your right?”
Wike also took a swipe on a factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is traditionally cursed, and hardly could write his name, to dare challenge him for criticising the Federal Government’s economic stimulation programmes.
The Rivers State governor asserted that with the level of infrastructure and other inclusive policies of government towards Ahoada communities, nobody would say his administration has failed the Ekpeye people.
Wike enumerated some of the projects delivered, particularly in Ahoada-West to include, the Ibiama-Okarki Road, 10km internal roads in Odiokwu community, water scheme, health centre, and recognition of five first class traditional stools.
The governor said 100percent of the contract sum for the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Okarki, was released to some of their sons, but they diverted the money.
He, however, promised not to be deterred by their act but to revisit the project and ensure that it was competed.
Wike said it was important that they resolve their problems over the selection and choice of a new Eze Ekpeye Logbo.
He urged them to complete that process within the next two months, and endorse a person who would not sell out Ekpeye’s interest or go to companies to take what was meant for the entire Ekpeye people, and present same to the state government.
Wike also directed the demolition of structures for which compensation has been paid, to enable the contractor commence work on the dualisation of the first phase of the Ahaoda-Omoku Road project.
Inaugurating the 10km internal roads, Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal noted that he was witnessing a success story of infrastructural development in a rural Odiokwu community whose socio-economic life has been revived.
He said that despite the lack of capacity of the Federal Government to deliver good governance, they, the governors, were doing their utmost best, playing their role to keep Nigeria together.
Tambuwal said they were proud of Wike for strengthening the existing relationship between Rivers and Sokoto states.
Walking in the footsteps of Melford Okilo and Shehu Shagari, Tambuwal stated that he was working with Wike to foster national unity, cohesion, survival of their people.
Providing a description of the project, Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Special Projects, Dax Kelly Alabo said the 10km network of internal roads have 20km of drains on both sides.
He assured that the roads, built to last 40 years, would impact positively on the socio-economic dynamics of the community.
This is because the crisscross nature of the roads has made access in and out of the farms easy, he said.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.