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Labour Is Dead, Says Gov Wike

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It was another week-long project galore as the Rivers State Governor and Nigeria’s “Mr Projects”, rolled out more key projects executed under his administration.  Among the projects inaugurated last week were; Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo  Road , Hostels and Classrooms Complex of the Real Madrid Academy, the 6.1km Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri Road in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area and the ultra-moderm state Secretariat building of the Trade Union Congress  (TUC).
Speaking during the inauguration of the 16.1km Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road which spans across Emohua and Ikwerre Local  Government  Areas, Governor  Wike said his development programme was basically implemented to create a conducive environment that offered more opportunities to Rivers people to actualise their potentials.
The Governor who remarked that the road had been a victim of failed campaign promises, explained that politicians had severaly promised the people that they would rehabilitate the road if they supported  them , only for them  to turn their eyes the other way when elections were over. He said it was time to hold politicians accountable to their words.
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who did the official commissioning of the project expressed delight that the development projects were not only executed in Port Harcourt, the state capital, but also in the hinterlands. He stated that leaders like Governor Wike had continued to demonstrate that it was only PDP that was committed to the well-being of the people.
The Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare, inaugurated the classrooms and hostels of Real Madrid Academy last Tuesday. He expressed delight at the facilities and declared that Governor Wike had laid a standard for football development.
Also last week, Governor Wike  dressed down labour movement in the country for what he described as their indifference to some anti-people policies, such as incessant increment in pump  price of  petroleum  products,  electricity tarriff and insecurity in the country  under the  APC- led Federal Government.
According to him, the  labour movement in the country is dead having lost  its force of engagement with government.  Governor Wike said labour  leadership had  left substance to pursue shadows , so could hardly  speak in a manner that could change or achieve reversal of the many anti-poeple policies.
He said under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigerian workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but had  lost its voice under a president from the majority tribe.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new TUC Secretariat built by his administration in the state,  Governor Wike said his administration provided the Secretariat to strengthen the independence of  Labour to enable it perform its duties effectively.
The Secretariat which was officially inaugurated by the National President of TUC, Quadric Olaleye, is a three-storey building with 16 offices, 500 capacity auditorium, a conference room, 14 toilets across floors and 100 KVA generator among other modern facilities.
Another major event which took place in Government House Port Harcourt within the week under review, was the meeting of South-South Governors last Monday.
Chairman of the South-South Forum and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who addressed the press after the meeting said the Governors demanded that 10 per cent Host Community Trust Fund to be included in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being considered at the National Assembly.
Okowa said: “ We took up the issue of the PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill which is already before the House, and having compared notes with ourselves, we are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that the 2.5 per cent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate”.
The Governors noted that if oil host Communities feel satisfied with the provisions of the funds for them in the bill, they would more likely be watchdog of the nation’s oil facilities in their domains on behalf of the oil companies, the state and Federal Government adding that this situation guarantee greater production.
The South-South Governors Forum also expressed dissatisfaction over the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) particularly the style of Interim Management Committee or Interim Administrator being adopted by the Federal Government.
According to the forum, the situation  does not give equal opportunity to all states of the region to be fairly represented in the board of the Commission.
The forum therefore demanded that whenever the board of the NDDC is constituted, the advisory council must be called upon to play it’s role to ensure there is checks and balances.
Also last week the Rivers State Chief Executive addressed the PDP South South Zonal Congress held last Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He noted that the zone is the strength of the party and charged members to always conduct themselves as members of a party that is committed to take over power in 2023.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov Nyesom Wike and other dignitaries attended the funeral service of the late oil Magnet, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, last Saturday at Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
By: Chris Oluoh
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Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi

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The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.

Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).

The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”

He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.

“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.

“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.

He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.

“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.

“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”

Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.

His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.

Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.

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Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip

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The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.

Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.

This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on  Wednesday night.

Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.

She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.

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Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General

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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The State Executive Council members include commissioners, Special Advisers and the Secretary to the State Government, SSG.

Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.

The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.

Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.

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