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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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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

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