News

Fubara Vows To Change Economic Growth Trajectory Of Rivers

Published

10 months ago

May 27, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to sustain the drive at mobilising critical stakeholders with attractive investment portfolios in the business community to join forces with his administration to change economic growth trajectory of the State.
Speaking at a cocktail party at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday night, Governor Fubara told the captains of businesses that the economic summit will provide salient data that will assist his administration to draw up economic roadmap for the State.
The cocktail reception was organized by the Rivers State Government in honour of the participants and delegates to the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit 2024.
Governor Fubara emphasised the need to awaken the State from its economic slumber, and assume its known status of an economically viable State to compete with countries considered to be advanced and developed.
He said, “In the real sense of it, Rivers State is noted for very special things. And what are those things? Peace loving people, people that are very industrious. Even from the ancient days, we are farmers in the hinterland. We are fishermen; those ones that live on the coastline, we are very hardworking.
“Today, because of industrialisation, because of white collar jobs, and too much of education, what we do is to wear very expensive suits, stay in an office, sign the papers and you know the next thing that happens? I don’t want to mention it!”
Governor Fubara stated: “But we need to move the State forward. We have been one of the most, would I say, economically viable states before this time but somehow, a few things went wrong, and we found ourselves where we are today.
“Today, we have called everybody. We have called the whole world. You represent the world, and we are telling you that we want to change the trajectory of our State. We want to see our State move like every other developing nation.
“Rivers State, if it were to be any other place, should be a country of its own. We have all the resources: we have oil, we have gas, we have every other valuable resource. The world is moving towards blue economy, and we have a wonderful coastline,” he said.
Governor Fubara, who thanked them, and indeed, all those who had contributed and supported the success of today which is the first day, assured that there was a bigger success coming, which will reflect in the anticipated industrialisation of the State.
The Governor confessed that “most expectations might have been met and some other things had not been executed perfectly at this first instance but the most important thing is to start a process, and that has been done.
“Forgive us where we have not gotten it right. Help us to correct our wrongs. But see to what you can do to help us move our State forward.
“I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again: Our own commitment is to Rivers State people first. If Rivers State is not succeeding, there won’t be a struggle for political control.
“So, let it be that I’m improving Rivers State, so, that there will be heavy tussle for political control. At least, history will remember me for that,” he added.
In his opening remarks, former Commissioner, state Ministry of Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, said it took quite a bit of work to put the platform together, adding that with His Excellency giving a listening ear, the idea of an economic and investment summit had materialised.
Dr. Peterside stated that the overriding purpose is to begin to network and actually engage business minds for cross-fertilisation of business ideas that can translate into enduring economic gains beyond mere consumption.
He said, “As I was stepping into this hall with my friend, Engr Braide, he reminded me that the last time we had a similar event was over 13 years ago.
“And, therefore, it is a very remarkable evening that His Excellency, the current Governor deemed it fit to create a platform like this, to bring together business executives from far and near, coming to mingle with his cabinet, with his whole governance team.”
Dr Peterside said further: “He granted us audience, we made proposals, and he approved them based on the fact that we should hold this event. I believe that this will be the first in the series of engagements between his administration and the private sector.
”You will be very surprised that a lot of policy initiatives can come from the private sector. Private sector is the engine room that drive economic growth.
”Therefore, His Excellency considered it absolutely imperative and necessary to bring the private sector into a pool whereby you can continuously engage, interact and make sure that your voices, needs, aspirations and your desires are heard in the governance process and business growth of the State.”
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the summit will crystalise buoyant and robust economic growth and development in the State, adding that with the foundation now in place, all stakeholders need to explore opportunities created for the benefit of Rivers people and Nigerians.

News

Tinubu Appoints Four Nominees Into NCDMB Governing Council

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement yesterday, said the appointment is to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the board’s capacity.

The statement said the approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.

Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Sam Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The President encouraged the new members to leverage their expertise and dedication to enhance local content development within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It added, “The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.

“The NCDMB Governing Council, established under Section 69 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010, comprises representatives from key institutions.

“These include the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, and the National Insurance Commission.”

News

NDDC To Construct Hostels, Roads In UNIPORT – Ogbuku

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.

Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.

“Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.

“The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.

Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.

“These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.

He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.

Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.

He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.

“Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.

“We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.

The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.

News

Senate Rejects Motion To Rename INEC Headquarters After Humphrey Nwosu

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

The Tide

The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.

Nwosu presided over the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was truncated by the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).

The election which was won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the electoral history of Nigeria.

The motion to rename INEC after Nwosu was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe yesterday after lawmakers threw it out last Wednesday.

Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.

Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which restricted his ability to announce the results.

He argued that “there was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero.”

Senator Austin Akobundu, however, described it as most uncharitable for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, insisting that he deserved a place in Nigeria’s hall of honour.

On the other hand, several senators like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea outright, questioning why the Senate should honour someone who failed to announce the results insisting that “nothing should be named after him”.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi argued that history does not reward efforts, but only results.

“As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.

Also, Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalising him would undermine the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election.

“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he tendered.

After intense deliberation, most senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.

They, however, agreed to honour him with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the other prayers to immortalise Nwosu.