PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM

Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo says Rivers State is gradually achieving epidemic control of HIV/ AIDs. Dr. Banigo disclosed this in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday the 30th of November, 2020 in commemoration of the year 2020 World AIDs Day Celebration. According to Dr.  Banigo, Governor Wike who is the Epidemic Control Surge Champion for Rivers State has demonstrated great passion and commitment in the quest to mitigate the spread of the virus in the State, noting that he was the first Governor in the Country to abolish user fees for People Living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Banigo further said “because of the Governor’s magnanimity our patients are doing very well and the issues of stigmatization of people living with HIV is reducing significantly”. Dr. Banigo also said the Strategy of community testing and identification of positive cases into the neighbouring treatment facilities which is described as Sexual Network Tracing (SN...

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has  commiserated with the Government and people of Borno State over the killing of peasant farmers  in a village near Maiduguri, the state capital. He described as unacceptable a situation where innocent Nigerians are killed daily, describing the Borno massacre as one too many and appealed to those charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the people to rise to the occasion and change the negative narrative of the region. Governor Fintiri regretted that Gov. Babagana Zulum returned from the Yola meeting where governors of the region had discussed issues of common interest including insecurity and only to be confronted by this ugly development. The governor said, "This is a tragic incident, a sad and tragic period for the North East region." Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri also regretted that security planners "had failed to come up with a solution or a strategy to prevent such unprovoked attacks" Describing it as t...

Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has congratulated Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Adamawa Chapter and the other members of the state executive following  their inauguration for a second term to steer the affairs of the association, describing them as Clerics that have proven their calling.   Governor Fintiri said: "On behalf of Government and the good people of Adamawa, I congratulate all of you on your assignment and wish you all a successful second tenure". The Christian Association of Nigeria had on Sunday inaugurated the Bisho Dami-led Executive Council of the Association. Commending CAN for carefully selecting its leaders, the governor praised Bishop Dami Mamza  for being resolute about the things he does, saying his antecedents have placed him as a true leader that exudes confidence despite challenges of the day. Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said, "I cannot begin to express how moving it has been ...

Once again, the nation is united in grief as we mourn the macabre murder of many innocent Nigerians, by the Boko Haram insurgents. Though the victims lived in Zabarmari town, the attack, no doubt the most horrendous in recent times, was said to have taken place at Koshebe Village of Mafa Local Government Area, about twenty-five minutes’ drive from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. More than ever before, the world is aghast at the sheer bestiality visited on these hapless citizens and the psyche of Nigerians; prompting the United Nations to issue a very emotional riposte, to the incident. The Government and people of Bauchi State deprecate, in the strongest terms, this blood-chilling barbarity, an affront to the Government and people of Nigeria and a challenge to our national resolve and capacity, to guarantee the safety of lives and property, of both Nigerian citizens and residents. We feel the pains of the inhabitants of this breadbasket that has been turned into a killing field. It...

... We'll Work With Borno Government On Our Citizens That Were Victims Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi rajiun!!!  It is with deep shock and displeasure that the government and good people of Sokoto state receive the sad and upsetting news of Boko Haram attack on scores of rice farmers in a village near Maiduguri on Sunday. We are deeply concerned and worried that an unspecified number of our enterprising citizens, who had traveled hundreds of kilometers to seek their means of livelihood in the areas where the attacks took place, were also affected. This act, at once abominable, disgusting and inhuman, is very disturbing.  As we condole the government and good people of Borno, with whom we have consistently shared our sympathy and solidarity in weathering this horrendous trend of insecurity, we also commiserate with the families of the victims from our state. God willing we will collaborate with the government of Borno to ascertain the number of our citizens affected with a view to...

.. .Renames Ijaw National Academy After '12-Day Revolution' Hero  Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the weekend, recounted his encounter with the late Captain Samuel Timinipre Owonaro (Rtd) before the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta hero passed on in June this year. Chief Owonaro is fondly remembered for his heroic role in the '12-day Revolution' alongside two other late Ijaw icons, Major Isaac Boro and Nottingham Dick, when they declared the Niger Delta Republic on February 23, 1966. Pouring encomiums on the Kaiama-born freedom fighter during his funeral at his hometown, Governor Diri narrated how Capt. Owonaro expressed joy when he visited him after he was sworn in that he lived to see the creation of Bayelsa, a homogenous Ijaw state. He said he was also happy that a Kolokuma/Opokuma son became governor in his lifetime and that his agitation with the late Boro was therefore not in vain. The governor announced the renaming of the Ijaw National Academy after th...

The Supreme Court has affirmed Rivers State Government acquisition of 45 percent equity stake of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 and Kidney Island in Port Harcourt. Rivers State Government acquisition of OML 11 and Kidney Island was affirmed by the apex court on Friday, when it dismissed the multinational oil firm’s suit which sought the setting aside of the N17 billion judgment made against it in 2019. It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had in January 2019, upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which awarded N17 billion damages against Shell for a devastating oil spill that ravaged farmlands, rivers and streams in Ejama-Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State decades ago. Shell, had in July 2019, filed a suit at the Supreme Court to set aside its earlier judgment on the ground that the apex court did not go into the merit of their appeal before upholding the decision of the Court of Appeal. But, the Supreme Court in a unanimo...

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has clinched the 2020 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA), the highest award ensemble for the Information Technology (IT) industry in Nigeria coordinated annually by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), after a keen contest between him and his Delta and Lagos state colleagues. He is, by this feat, the first governor in Nigeria to receive the Digital Governor of the Year Award at an event held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos State, Nigeria on Thursday. Adjudged a technophile of remarkable note by the organizers, going by his superlative performances in the IT sector, Gov. Tambuwal garnered majority of the votes cast online from across the country as a result of his achievements in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Sokoto state. These achievements include: the establishment of an ICT Directorate in the state in 2015, deployment of techno-savvy resources in COVID-19 interventions made by the state, contributions to the N...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that his administration is committed to ensuring the autonomy of the judicial arm of government in the state. Governor Diri, who described the judiciary as very crucial to the development of any society, gave the assurance at the state High Court during the commencement of activities marking the 2020/21 Legal Year.  His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, quoted the governor as saying that the importance of the judiciary cannot be over-emphasised given its role as the custodian of the Constitution and guarantor of fundamental human rights.  Describing himself as a beneficiary of the judiciary, he commended the judiciary for being forthright against all odds in declaring him winner of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.  The state helmsman noted that as a country, Nigeria had come a long way, moving from the days when individual interests held sway to a time when all are subje...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to heed the clamour for fiscal federalism and restructuring, to douse brewing tension in the country. Governor Wike, said stakeholders in the South-South and other geopolitical zones that met with the delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, have expressed their grievances, which must be genuinely addressed. The Rivers State Governor, stated this when he featured as a guest on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily on Thursday. Governor Wike, noted that stakeholders in the South-South on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, ventilated their expectations, and what was now required is political leadership and will by the President to implement the demands. “President Buhari, has an opportunity today, that Nigerians are saying these are the things we want; these are the things we think can move Nigeria forward. And you have to show leadership by saying, I have listened to you a...

… unveils plan for entertainment hub The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to repositioning the state-owned newspaper, the Nigerian Observer, to meet national and international standards. Obaseki disclosed this on Thursday after inspecting the newly acquired printing press machine at the newspaper’s head office in Benin City. According to the governor, “You can see that the press machine has now been installed and we are awaiting another one. What we are hoping is to revitalize the state-owned Nigeria Observer Newspaper." “But more importantly, the plan is to make this place a printing hub for the state. We will ensure that we are able to get constant electricity in this place in the next few days. The State Government Press and the House of Assembly Press will be efficiently run from this place.'' “We are also looking at the possibility of setting up another production center here, but in this case, that will support en...

_…assures more policies to grow local content The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday said that the era of buying government contracts is over in the state, noting that his administration would create a transparent and open contracting system to ensure those who can add value participate in project execution. Obaseki disclosed this while addressing a group of contractors under the aegis of Edo State Indigenous Contractors Forum, who were on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Benin City. According to him, “We guarantee you continuity for you so you can build your businesses. I want to thank you for your kind words and for identifying with what we stand for." "Clearly, we were not aware of the criticisms that followed our choice of giving work to those who have the capacity to work; you bid for contracts directly with the state and you will get your contracts." "You don't have to buy contracts from anybody unlike what obtaine...

It was rains of emotions and encomiums as the remains of the Late former Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Solomon Nkem Ogunji, was laid to rest in his hometown, Ohambele Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state. Speaking at the funeral service, organized by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described  the Late Ogunji as a fearless man who did not bear grudge against anyone.  According to him, the Late former Commissioner started showing signs of leadership and courage at a very young age adding that he was a man who was always willing and ready to go with his friends even to the fiercest of battles, a trusted ally who could not be bribed.  Dr. Ikpeazu said that as a commissioner, Late Dr. Ogunji excelled as he attracted the erosion remediation work for Ohuhu community in, Umuahia North LGA as well as the N27bn World Bank fund for the rehabilitation of Ngwa, Obohia and Ohanku roads in Aba where work is scheduled to be completed in the ...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has restated commitment of his administration to complete the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity road project within the lifespan of his administration. Governor Wike, gave the assurance when the Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom,  King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, led a delegation of Chiefs,  Elders and Women Leaders on courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt. The visit was to inform the governor and also invite him to be their special guest of honour at the planned Opobo Kingdom Sesquicentenary celebration that will hold between 24th and 28th December,  2020. Governor Wike said the Unity Road project is important to his administration, which is why it must be completed and also to fulfil the promise he made to the Amayanabo that his people would drive home by road this December. "The road to Opobo Town must be completed. It is a project that is key. I take it personal because I can't be governor and it is not done." "I had promised to ...

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Thursday, received in audience members of the Technical Working Committee for the third North East Governors Forum meeting in Yola on a courtesy call in his office. Speaking during the visit, Governor Fintiri noted that for over a decade the region has suffered more than any other region in the country that range from activities of Boko Haram terrorists, among others. Governors of the region at their previous meetings had promised to do everything to pull the region out of its shambles. expressing the hope that the challenges of the Northeast will soon be over. He said government will not play with the welfare of youths as they constitute large percentage of the society and hence the need to prepare them to respond positively to the development of the country. The Chairman of the Technical Committee who doubles as Secretary to Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, spoke on behalf of the committee members.

Discussions are ongoing between Sokoto State Government and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria to establish Multimedia Academy in Sokoto State.  This is as the state government engages the British High Commission in Nigeria to ensure rapid integration of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into various facets of social services and governance, including the education sector.  Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stated this Wednesday during the foundation laying of new Government Girls Science Academy,  Kasarawa, in the state capital. According to him, since his administration came on board in 2015, the education sector has been given utmost attention. ''As a government, we are doing all that is humanly possible to ensure that the education system in Sokoto State gets maximum attention because we are convinced that to remain effective and competitive in this 21st Century, policy formulation, implementation, review and improvement must be sustained," ...

Sokoto State Government (SOSG) and the United Nations (UN) Wednesday signed an Annual Work Plan (AWP) for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) activities in Sokoto put at a total value of $13,046,204 (N4.9 billion). Out of this the UN system is expected to cough out $6,100,106 (N2.3 billion) while SOSG, being one of the five states selected for such partnership, will contribute $6,946,098 (N2.6 billion). By this arrangement, Sokoto State, will from 2018-2022, be part of the UN implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) tools to unite, harness 'comparative advantages,' and "help states to accelerate" the execution of "agenda 2030 and the SDGs." At the signing of the AWP agreement in Sokoto, Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said that his administration "will continue to push on the SDGs in the state". "We are going to commit ourselves to the work plan...SOSG will make provision in the budget and ...

..Infrastructure Gets N34bn, Education N24.9bn Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has presented the 2021 budget estimate to the House of Assembly. It is christened the "Budget of Growth." Presenting the N290,295,465,423 Appropriation Bill on the floor of the assembly on Thursday, Governor Diri noted that the  the outgoing year 2020 has been challenging due to the impact of COVID-19 and the ravages of flooding but expressed optimism that 2021 would be one of progress and prosperity for the state.  Giving a breakdown of part of the sectoral allocations, he said N34billion was earmarked for Works and Infrastructure while Education was allotted N24.9billion, Health N5billion, Agriculture N11.3billion, Trade and Investment N500million and Environment N3.3billion.  He also said that personnel cost would gulp N66,646,082,751 while capital expenditure would take N80,017,254,683 and overhead costs   N66,185,336,658. The governor assured that his administration w...