- Pledges Logistics support for Kwankwaso presidential campaign
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigeria is in dire need of a unifier that will drive the affairs of governance without any form of segregation.
Governor Wike spoke at the inauguration of the Mgbuitanwo internal road in Emohua Local Government Area of the State. The Mgbuitanwo internal roads was inaugurated by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday.
Governor Wike expressed grave concern about how the diversity of the country has been grossly threatened by those who have resorted to campaign on the basis of ethnic and regional sentiment. According to him, such parochial tendency will make Nigerians more divided along religious and ethnic lines than ever before.
The Rivers State governor stated further that members of his integrity group are resolved to do what is right always as long as it will help to advance the county.
“It is not to say don’t vote for a Yoruba man, don’t vote for an Igbo man. That is not what we require in this country now. What we require is a man who will put Nigeria together. We of integrity group will continue to support whatever that is right, whatever will help this country.”
The governor explained that he had tried in vain to persuade leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party not to allow Kwankwaso not to leave the party because of the strategic importance of Kano State.
“When you wanted to leave PDP, I came to your house in Abuja. I said sir, don’t leave the party. I pleaded with you. I came two times. Those who never meant well for this party, who will want to take control where they never sowed. They said no, leave Kwankwaso to go. Who is he? Let him go, after all, I was a Senate President when he was Deputy Speaker House of Representatives. I said no, he is an asset to the party in Kano State. Kano is very important for our party, therefore, whatever it takes let’s keep him, let manage him. They said let him go.
“I said the more the merrier. We are opposition party, we cannot continue to drive our people away. Whoever is angry, let’s keep him, they said no. They said I went to see Kwankwaso, I said yes, because I know with him in Kano, there is likelihood that it will be better for us. But if we allow him to go, the repercussion will be too heavy. They said no. Kwankwaso left us.”
The Rivers State governor described the NNPP presidential candidate and former governor of Kano State, Kwankwaso as a man of integrity and number among leaders that Nigeria needs. According to him, the NNPP presidential candidate had assured him that his supporters who are still in PDP will vote for him during the PDP presidential primary and they did.
Governor Wike offered to provide protocol and logistics support to Kwankwaso whenever he wants to do his campaigns in Rivers State.
“If you’re coming for campaign here, I will give you the logistic support for you to campaign. You’re a former governor.”
He however, told Kwankwaso that it is difficult for any other party to win in Rivers State, therefore, it will be futile for him to waste resources, thinking he will win election for any candidate of his party in the State.
About his comment on release of unpaid 13% derivation money from 1999 to date, by President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Wike said he never said other Niger Delta governors should show proof of what they have done with their States’share.
Rather, Governor Wike stated that he only expressed his gratitude to President Buhari for releasing the money, which has helped him to execute a plethora of projects in the State.
“I never said people should account for their money. I never said so to anybody. All I said is people should thank Buhari for me, for giving me money to do all these projects. That all I said. If you people are interpreting a different thing that is your own business. Is it wrong to thank somebody who has done well for you?”
Governor Wike emphasised that his administration has never spent more than 14 months to deliver on any project in the State.
He pointed to the Mgbuitanwo Internal Roads as being among 20 other projects like the 9th, 10th flyovers that were all flagged off in June 2021, which have all been completed within the period.
Governor Wike said good governance is about the wellbeing of the people and if anybody in government or close to any top functionary is unable to attract project to his or her community, such person has failed
The governor stressed that his administration has delivered the Mgbuitanwo Internal Roads which is where Senator Andrew Uchendu, an All Progressives Congress chieftain hails from. He regretted that the former senator failed, while in government, to do the road for his community.
Governor Wike also mocked former Commissioner for Agriculture, Emma Chinda because he failed to attract government to do the roads for his Ogbakiri community, which his administration is now delivering for the people.
Performing the inauguration, the Presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso commended governor Wike for engaging Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to deliver the best quality of roads in a rural community.
Such gesture, Kwankwaso noted speaks of a leader who loves his people and is doing the best to better their lot across sectors including the provision of quality educational infrastructure.
Kwankwaso stressed that those who are undermining the capability of the PDP G-5, particularly governor Wike, are doing so to their peril politically because Rivers State like Kano, and Lagos is critical to wining any election.
The NNPP presidential candidate stated that members of the Integrity Group led by governor Wike, are good people who will continue to do the right thing, and will be judged by posterity based on what they do
On his part, Commissioner for Works, Dr Dakorinima Alabo George-Kelly said the Mgbuitanwo Internal Roads is 39300 square meters , has 200 millimeters thickness, with 50 millimeters binder course, 50 millimeters waring course fitted with street light and drains.
Regional Manager, South-South of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Jergen Fitcher said they have continued to deliver standard infrastructure in support of governor Wike policy of development of the State.
Press Statement
Rivers PDP Gov’ship Campaign Kick-off: Overwhelming Turnout, Pointer To Fubara’s Victory – Dekor
…Says Ogonis will Overwhelmingly Vote Sir Fubara
The massive turnout of the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from across the state for the flag-off of its governorship campaign at the famous Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Saturday, November 19, 2022 is a confirmation of the party’s popularity in the state and a pointer to the expected victory of the party’s flag bearer, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in the 2023 election.
Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor, member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly made the declaration while chatting with newsmen, shortly after receiving his flag for re-election for House of Representatives for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, at the sidelines of the epoch-making flag-off.
He described Sir Siminalayi Fubara as honest, God-fearing, a man of integrity, humble, transparent, peaceful, purposeful and a leader who has great vision for Rivers people.
According to the federal lawmaker, there is hardly any part of the state where the PDP is not the people’s choice based on visible evidence of good governance and quality leadership of His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the executive governor of Rivers State.
The most indelible and lasting campaign slogan, the former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and one time Commissioner for Works noted, is quality leadership and people-oriented projects all of which Gov Wike has made a permanent feature of the PDP-led government in the state and which are here and there to speak for all PDP candidates for a repeat performance.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our Governor and pray God to grant all our candidates same strength, grace and wisdom to follow after his footsteps. That is the only way we can thank him for all the testimonials of capability for all PDP candidates contesting the 2023 general elections which of course, have already launched them into the good books of the Rivers people, a necessary requirement for the certain victory of our party everywhere in the State”, Rt. Hon. Dekor stated.
In his hometown, Ogoni, Rt. Hon. Dekor said the Ogonis appreciate quality leadership, identify with the quality leadership of His Excellency and will overwhelmingly vote for Sir Fubara as Gov. Wike’s successor for consolidation of that quality leadership.
PRESS RELEASE
LASG URGES WORLD BANK TO EXTEND APPEALS PROJECT
…8,000 Farmers Benefited From Project In Five Years, Says Commissioner
…Presents Compensation Cheques To Beneficiaries Over Farm Produce Loss
Following the positive impact of the Agro-processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project on farmers’ productivity in the State, Lagos State Government has appealed to the World Bank for an extension of the project.
The request was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed that APPEALS Project in the State has empowered about 8,000 farmers, especially women and youths in the last five years.
Olusanya called for an extension of the APPEALS Project programme when World Bank and APPEALS Project representatives who were in Lagos for the 9th Implementation Support Mission to Lagos paid her a courtesy visit on Monday.
APPEALS project is a Lagos State and World Bank-assisted project in conjunction with the Federal Government aimed at enhancing the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers and improving value addition along priority value chains – Poultry, Aquaculture and Rice under the Lagos APPEALS project.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, the Commissioner assured World Bank and APPEALS Project National Coordinating Office representatives that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government are ready to cooperate and do the needful for more farmers to benefit from the project if extended beyond the September 2023 deadline.
Olusanya during the visit also presented cheques to five farmers, who are Women and Youths Empowerment Programme beneficiaries as insurance benefits over the recent loss in their poultry farm as a result of Avian influenza, which led to the death of their birds.
The five beneficiaries – Hameed Osiyemi, Yahya Mohammed, David Christiana, Moromoke Olanrewaju and Omolara Ojo, were given between N50,000 and N210,000 as insurance benefits by the First Adequate Benefits Insurance Brokers Limited.
The Commissioner commended the Lagos State APPEALS Project, saying that the project has made the most impact compared to previous agricultural projects and programmes.
She said: “The State Project Coordinator (Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo) and her team members have handled the APPEALS project in the last five years. The APPEALS Project team is one of the best groups of people that we actually have coordinating this project statewide and with regard to the impact the project itself has made, I will say it is second to none.
“Over 8,000 youths and women have been trained and empowered based on field visits. The Lagos State APPEALS Project Coordinator is always pushing us. This team goes far and wide just to ensure implementation is done well. If there is also a team that I have seen a lot of integrity in, it is this particular team.
“We attend the State Steering Committee meetings with the deputy governor and a few other stakeholders from other MDAs and generally speaking APPEALS project is one of the seamless projects that the state has been able to run.
“I want to believe that if there is a possibility, this project should actually continue in all sincerity and if you don’t want to continue it nationally, you can just continue and look at Lagos State as a special project. I think Lagos deserves a special intervention because the team handling this project truth be told is still one of the best.
“We want to thank you (World Bank and APPEALS National Coordinating Office) for being very supportive of the Lagos State APPEALS Project, hoping that we will continue to have the support from now till the end of the project and if there is a possibility of extending it, I want to assure you that the Lagos State government under Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is ready to cooperate.
“We are ready to serve the people. We are ready to do the needful according to the World Bank procedure and I can assure you that the impact that we all want to see is definitely what you will be assured of getting in Lagos State.”
Speaking during the courtesy visit, the Task Team Leader from World Bank, Dr Manievel Sene, commended the Lagos State Project Coordinator of APPEALS, Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, and her team for the job they have done so far, declaring that Lagos is among the leading states in Nigeria based on an overall overview of APPEALS Project.
He said the World Bank will look at another project to scale up the achievements of the APPEALS project. “We are on the same page on how we can look at another project to scale up the achievements of the APPEALS project. We are ready for a new project that will build on APPEALS.
“I think Lagos APPEALS is moving in the right direction. Based on the information from the team, the project enjoyed strong support from Lagos State Governor and the State Government, which is very encouraging. We are very satisfied with the level of implementation and achievements by the APPEALS Project in Lagos,” he said.
Dr Sene commended the Lagos APPEALS collaboration with an insurance company, adding that the initiative would be scaled up and encouraged in the new project by the World Bank for farmers’ productivity.
Sagoe-Oviebo said part of the support the Lagos APPEALS project is doing is to ensure that beneficiaries are insured and that is why the project collaborated with the insurance company, noting that those who received cheques during the courtesy visit are parts of the Women and Youths Empowerment Programme beneficiaries from Epe axis of Lagos State.
The visit was part of the five-day event of the APPEALS Project 9th Implementation Support Mission of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria to Lagos State.
The main objective of the mission is to assess the project’s overall implementation status and ensure the successful completion of the project action plan developed during the 8th mission visit.
The National Project Coordinator of APPEALS Project, Mr Mohammed Jobdi and participants from the other five Implementing States of Cross-River, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano and Kogi led by their State Project Coordinators were also present at the event.
DELTA 2023: Sheriff Oborevwori and The New Deal
By Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
There is widespread excitement among the people of Delta State right now. The excitement has enveloped a good majority of the people in anticipation of what is really people’s moment come 2023. One man who has become a phenomenon is behind this exciting wind of anticipation. That man, the man of the moment and perhaps for all times, is Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, present speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and the Delta State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s longest-surviving and most resilient political party ever, Africa’s largest political party and most pro-people organization.
Rt. Hon. Oborevwori did not emerge by happenstance. He has been on the political scene and undergone tutelage under three Governors in Delta State. He also has the rare privilege of legislative and executive experience and has over the years seen politics as a tool for constructively reshaping humanity and making life better for the people. This vision has not only evolved, but has become concrete as seen in his emergence as the PDP Governorship candidate of Delta State at a free and fair primary election.
Evolving with this man of destiny is the concept known as Sheriffication which has become an ideology and a movement in Delta State. Anywhere, everywhere and wherever you turn the agreement among the people, young and old, men and women is that Delta State has been Sheriffied. To be Sheriffied is to believe and embrace the idea of Sheriff Oborevwori becoming Governor of Delta State in 2023 and the concept is Sheriffication.
While the majority of Deltans hailed Oborevwori’s entry into the Governorship race with excitement, a small clique was displeased with what they considered Oborevwori’s near underprivileged background. This clique tried to discredit Oborevwori. They cast aspersions on him and questioned his academic achievements.
There were litigations intended to undo him and thwart the wish of the people for him to become their Governor. Good enough the litigations failed and the people’s desire to have Oborevwori as their Governor is gathering momentum. In a few months from now, the people will affirm him as the Governor of Delta State through the ballot. They will witness and celebrate his swearing-in and inauguration as Governor in May 2023.
The emergence of Oborevwori has a populist push to it. He came from among the people in every sense of the word. While some say that he came from the streets, they forget to see the streets as representing the true and real essence of the people. The street is where the people are and democracy is about the people.
The streets see Oborevwori as their own and he is very high on street credibility. He was born among the people, he grew up among them, lives with them and he knows their ways, their problems, their hopes, and aspirations. In him are the strategies with which to free the people from want, lack and set them on a pedestal for the new deal he is bringing to the table. Oborevwori is undoubtedly the ideal people’s politician and leader. His populist ideas and goals are unquestionably remarkable and unsurpassable.
The new deal Oborevwori is offering to Deltans is embodied in his manifesto aptly titled M.O.R.E. The acronym is symbolic because it recognizes that so much has been done in Delta State, but he is set to do MORE and take the State and people to the frontiers of the emergent New World order. The driving indices of MORE are Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. Reading and evaluating the MORE agenda will reveal that Oborevwori has a deep understanding of what the development aspirations of Delta State are. Every Nation, every State is a work in progress always confronted by problems which right-thinking leaders who bear the burden of their people, like Oborevwori now does, are always desirous of remedying. The manifesto depicts Oborevwori as highly pro-people. MORE is the people’s agenda and in it, Oborevwori enunciates a new deal that will turn the State around for good.
The MORE agenda seeks to reposition Delta State and her people by engaging the core indices of modern development. Such indices under Meaningful development include education, energy, healthcare, physical infrastructure such as roads, transportation, housing, and new cities, rural development, urban regeneration, etc. The foci under Opportunities for all are employment and wealth creation, agricultural productivity, industrialization, ICT, sports, and creative enterprise. Realistic reforms will harness policies and programmes of Government for the good of the people, while peace and security will create an enabling environment for investment and social co-existence for all Deltans and other Nigerians and foreigners. Oborevwori deliberately deemphasizes the reliance on crude oil in articulating his development agenda. His dream of greatness and rebirth for Delta rests on her human capital and agricultural resources which are to be galvanized by education, energy, ICT, and industrialization.
Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, despite the tendency for political opponents to undermine his educational attainments, holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Political Science from two of Nigeria’s prestigious Universities. Thus Oborevwori is well-grounded in the theory and practice of politics. Besides his towering educational attainments, Oborevwori has also undergone political leadership and managerial trainings in some of the best educational institutions in the world to reinforce his hands-on engagement in practical politics.
The truth is that all of those who undermine Oborevwori lack his capacity in every imaginable parameter. Among the qualification and experience reinforcing his competence and capacity are: Certificate in Top Executive Leadership Programme, Manchester Business School, United Kingdom; Certificate in Legislative Framework for Budget Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States of America; Certificate in Legislative Management and Leadership, International Law Institute, Washington DC, United States of America; Certificate in Leading Inclusive Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom; Certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; among others.
It is doubtful if any other Nigerian politician has such a formidable attainment in the acquisition of knowledge of modern governance. This is the cumulative knowledge and experience that proposed the new deal for Delta State and her people. The new deal is in MORE as envisioned and articulated by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
© Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza is the Deputy Director of, the Media and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council.
Failed Promises: You should apologise to Nigerians not campaigning, Aniagwu tells Tinubu
Peoples Dem
