News

Our Mission Is To Grow Economy, Stimulate Private Investments, Says Fubara

Published

4 months ago

December 2, 2024

The Rivers State Government says its central mission is to grow the economy and stimulate private investments by giving businesses the confidence they need to invest in the State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara disclosed this during the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said his Administration has made its commitment clear and effective by ensuring the safety, security, and sustainability of investments in the State, noting that the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency has been established as a one -stop shop for promoting investments in the State.
According to the State Chief Executive, “While the nation’s macroeconomics are beyond us, we have sustained a stable fiscal policy, improved access to land titles, and significantly eased entry requirements into business activities in the State.”
He said more resources are being channeled into human capital development, including the provision of quality education, healthcare delivery and the reduction of poverty.
Governor Fubara also disclosed that under his watch the State Government is providing access to credits and financial services for micro, small and medium enterprises with a 4billion naira matching fund with the Bank of Industry as well as ensured the recapitalization of the State Government owned Micro Finance Bank to ensure that the poor have access to business funds at a little interest rate.
The Governor, who expressed confidence that the State has a brighter economic future, stressed that it would remain focused on the central mission to grow the economy through private sector investments.
Governor Fubara however, regretted that despite the Niger Delta Region’ celebrated economic potential, the region continues to suffer from underinvestment and low economic growth, noting that apart from the oil and gas industry, hardly can we see large-scale commercial investments in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, real estate, industrialisation, construction, engineering, science and technology in any of the Niger Delta States while urging Governments at all levels, ancillary development institutions and policymakers to adopt viable measures to attract direct foreign and internal investments.
Also speaking the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said the region’s useful population provides an opportunity to invest in technology-driven industries that can harness the creativity and entrepreneurial skills of the population, stressing that digital skills training, tech-hub and start-up can drive a new wave of economic activity in the region.
He noted that President Tinubu‘s Administration has taken the lead by creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, by enacting investor-friendly policies, ensuring security and investing in critical infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the theme of the summit: “ Building Synergy” is apt, because he believes that true development can only be achieved in any society where there is synergy while calling on the Governors of the Niger Delta States to put together the resources of the region and synergize with the commission in attracting development to the region.
According to him, “Development is like a language, and for us to communicate the sentences must also align, if it does not align, we will not understand each other, In the Niger Delta, we have the resources, we have the infrastructure, so we need to synergize.” He further stressed.
Earlier the founder and convener of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit and Niger Delta international festival and Trade Expo, Amb. Kenule Nwiya, thanked the State Government and the Ministry of Regional Development for their support in ensuring the success of the Summit.

News

Tinubu Appoints Four Nominees Into NCDMB Governing Council

Published

4 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.”

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NDDC To Construct Hostels, Roads In UNIPORT – Ogbuku

Published

4 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

4 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.