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Rivers PDP Hails Pioneer LG Party Bosses For Building Foundation For Growth
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor, has hailed pioneer PDP Local Government Chairmen for laying solid foundation for the growth and development of the party in the state.
He made the commendation when he hosted a delegation of Forum of Former PDP LGA Party Chairmen (1998 to 2021) in his office at the party Secretariat, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Akawor commended the pioneer PDP local government chairmen for effective management of the party at that time.
He said as foundation chairmen, they were able to build the party on a foundation that stood the test of time, noting that their love and patriotism for the party were unprecedented.
“For you to have been the foundation of this party when nobody gave them opportunity of surviving, and you are still here to witness what is happening in the party, I think that this is a very important group. Assuming you people did not package what we are witnessing today, and there were crises and it collapsed, of course, nobody would have been talking about PDP today.”
Speaking on the quality of persons that made up the group, Akawor referred to them as men who have distinguished themselves in politics.
“Your forum can boast of former ministers, former secretary to state governments, former commissioners, etc, what other qualities do you expect and how else would you expect the public to rate this foundation”?
Akawor, who told the forum that the time has come for them to come out and join in strengthening the party, urged them to continue to encourage the people not to be deceived by anyone, assuring them of a special place in the party in the state.
He revealed that when the party at the national level was in crisis, it was the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who came out as the Gideon in the Bible to recover the party but regretted that those who walked out of the party at the Eagles Square, Abuja, were now saying that they cannot work with him.
Akawor announced that the former party chairmen would be made to participate actively in the activities of the party, noting that though campaigns have not started, Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) would commence sensitisation programme across the LGAs beginning with Ikwerre Local Government Area on Sunday.
“By INEC timetable, we have not started campaigning till September. What we have done now through our NGO – GDI – is to start some sensitisation programme. By Sunday, we are starting with the Ikwerre LGA, and every week, we are in one LGA to sensitise our people so that we can conclude every LGA before September when the campaign team will take over”.
While thanking them for the visit, which he said, had helped in bringing out the group, Akawor told them that they would be included in the campaign team for the 2023 elections.
Earlier, the leader of the forum and former PDP Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Mela Oforibika, had said their visit was to introduce themselves to the leadership of the party, and also to pledge their readiness to work for the party.
“We have to put ourselves to work with you to ensure that in this transition, which God has placed you with your wealth of experience as former ambassador, you have been consistent in the way you handle things with a lot of energy, a lot of experience and the forthright way which you do your things that you have been known for all through the years.I have been a very keen watcher of your activities”.
Oforibika also announced that the forum was in support of every candidate produced by the party during the various primaries, especially the Gubernatorial candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, saying that they were prepared to work with him and the party.
He praised Governor Nyesom Wike for fighting a good battle for which every Rivers man stood behind him, noting that through Wike, the country now knows that there were people in Rivers State that can move the country to a new level of growth.
On the delegation were a one-time minister of industries; former Secretary to the State Government, and one-time Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Kobani, who was the pioneer PDP chairman in Gokana; Prince Roland Nziidee; and Doctor Kaananwi Luke; both party chairmen of Khana between 1998 And 1999.
Others were Hon Abiye Davies; Chief Dandison Gbupo, pioneer PDP chairman of Opobo/Nkpro; and Chief Blessing Nwafor.
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.