Rivers State Sole Administrator, Ibas, Set to Present Fresh 2025 Appropriation Bill

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April 4, 2025
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•Cancels all pending procurement, tender processes by suspended state govt

•Rivers women urge Tinubu to annul Fubara’s suspension, seek peace in state

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), has said an appropriation bill for 2025 was being articulated to provide for critical development in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

Ibas has therefore cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes by the suspended state government.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women, under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), have urged President Bola Tinubu to cancel the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officers of the state.

Addressing the appropriation bill, Ibas said the anticipated budget would cater to creating more employment opportunities for Rivers people and advance delivery of technology in critical facets of public life.

He disclosed this yesterday, when he hosted the delegation of Rivers State caucus at the National Assembly, led by Dr Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing Rivers South-East District, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The delegates, who were mainly loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on the visit included Senator Allwell Onyesoh, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Godwin Hart, Blessing Amadi, Felix Nwaeke, Kelechi Nwogu and Victor Obuzor

Ibas said he had been resolute, since assumption of office, to restore law and order, with support from the security agencies, saying the environment has been created where Rivers residents feel valued and safer.

The administrator stated that the commitment was to make Rivers a model of peace in the comity of States, with a stable economy and citizens courageous to pursue their livelihood without fear or molestation.

“In addition to our peace building efforts, we are also focused on the economic stability and development of Rivers State.

“Since the Supreme Court verdict on the state’s budget, we have acted swiftly and decided to put together a new budget that reflects our commitment to healthcare, education, social services, and continued infrastructural development.

“We have worked diligently to ensure that the process is transparent, inclusive, and most importantly expedited. Our goal is to ensure that we do not lose any more time in making the necessary investments that will improve the lives of citizens.”

In his speech, Senator Mpigi, said they were dedicated representatives of Rivers people at the National Assembly and resolved to support all efforts that would bring development to the State.

Also, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibibia Worika, Ibas has cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes by the state government.

“In adherence to the Supreme Court judgement upholding the Appeal Court ruling in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 and in the absence of an Appropriation Law, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (RTD.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, wishes to notify the general public that all procurement and tender processes that were carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) during the period are hereby cancelled.

“Accordingly, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices are, by this special announcement, mandated to refund such tender fees to the respective contractors immediately, pending the approval of a spending plan by the State, which shall be notified in due course.”

Meanwhile, the hundreds of women who came as a group from across the 23 local government areas of the state, convened by Sotonye Toby Fulton, made the call during their weekly prayer for peace and progress in the state, held in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

A participant at the prayer session who spoke with THISDAY, said there was no war in the state that required the declared state of emergency.

They also insisted that the state needed Fubara to continue his official work he was elected for.

An administrative manager with Port Harcourt Water Cooperation, Gloria Akor-Okocha, said, “We are praying for restoration, we are praying that Nigeria will come to truth, we are praying that God will install truth in the country and restore our governor back.”

President of Ijaw Women Connect, Dr Vivian Elenwo, said, “Rivers State with governor Siminalayi Fubara is peaceful. Our youths are not on the streets, they are peaceful, you can see the women are praying. God is the highest court, is above the supreme court, so, we have brought our complaint to God today.”

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TETFund/Innov8 Hub R4i: Restoring Faith in Nigeria’s Potential

By Eniola Olakunri

Now more than ever, Nigerians have reason to believe in the nation’s potential. With a wealth of human resources, immense talent, and boundless creativity, the country is poised for socio-economic transformation.

A crucial driver of this progress is the strategic collaboration between the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub, an innovation-driven non-governmental organisation based in Abuja.

Over the past few years, TETFund and Innov8 Hub have been actively reshaping Nigeria’s innovation landscape. Through initiatives like the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) for universities and Research for Impact (R4i) for polytechnics, they have empowered academics to translate research into practical innovations, entrepreneurship, and economic value.

The recent graduation of Cohort 30 from the R4i initiative, following an intensive 10-day boot camp at Innov8 Hub, showcased groundbreaking innovations from 11 polytechnics nationwide. The ingenuity displayed reaffirmed Nigeria’s potential for homegrown solutions to societal challenges.

At the closing ceremony, TETFund Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny S.T. Echono, commended the graduates and emphasised that the R4i initiative aligns with the agency’s commitment to funding solution-driven research and innovation. He highlighted TETFund’s dedication to fostering a culture of problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement among Nigerians.

Echono acknowledged the efforts of the previous Cohorts, some of whom exhibited their products at the maiden edition of the TETFund National Research Fair held in Abuja in November 2024, saying “…I’m sure that the participants from this particular cohort, whom we have gathered here to celebrate, will not be different as they showcase their innovative outputs”.

He also seized the moment to restate TETFund’s ongoing phased efforts in establishing 48 innovation hubs and entrepreneurship centres across public tertiary institutions under 2023-2025 line interventions, noting that these hubs will spur and equip participants with requisite skills to mentor others with the overall aim of benefiting their institutions and communities.

Innov8 Hub’s Managing Director, Gregory Ibe (Jnr), reiterated the organisation’s mission to bridge the gap between research, development, and commercialisation.

Expressing gratitude to TETFund, he noted that Innov8 Hub has facilitated the transformation of ideas into impactful solutions, resulting in the development of over 250 prototypes and supporting more than 1,000 researchers, entrepreneurs, and creatives. He called on Nigerians to keep driving innovations as a way of creating meaningful and lasting change in the society.

The Executive Secretary of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, urged polytechnics to steer Nigeria’s industrialisation through knowledge-based innovation.

Innov8 Director and former ECOWAS Vice President, His Excellency Edward Singhatey, praised the participants’ stunning works put together in under two weeks, and charged them to refine their innovations for market viability.

All the participants had great things to say about the R4i programme which opened their eyes to a world of new possibilities. They expressed their appreciation to TETFund and Innov8 for the wonderful and unforgettable experience they just had.

A thoroughly delighted representative, Engineer Nandang Kargwak Ishaku of Plateau State Polytechnic, spoke on behalf of the group, expressing gratitude for the organisers’ role in translating research into practical solutions.

“…more importantly, the work culture at Innov8 Hub has reinforced our belief in a new Nigeria, a nation where homegrown solutions must emerge from the ingenuity of its people, where research fuels industry, where innovation drives sustainable development” he stated.

Engineer Ishaku extended the appreciation of Cohort 30 to the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, NBTE, Innov8 Hub and their respective institutions for ensuring their participation in the R4i programme which has literally turned them as academics to “change makers, innovators and pioneers of a new Nigeria”.

The showcased innovations included:

Zero Hunger (Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri): “Rampo Kids,” a nutrient-rich cereal designed to fortify children under five with essential vitamins and minerals.
Affordable and Clean Energy (Federal Polytechnic, Nekede): An “Eco-Waste Converter Machine” that transforms biomass waste into clean fuel briquettes through pyrolysis.
Climate Action (Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic): A real-time soil moisture and environmental monitoring device with SMS alerts for farmers.
Good Health & Well-Being (The Polytechnic Ibadan): “Funfit,” a fitness device encouraging professionals over 40 to engage in physical activities.
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure (Plateau State Polytechnic): “Power Watch,” a system that provides SMS alerts on power fluctuations for water boards and energy providers.
Clean Water & Sanitation (Auchi Polytechnic): “Microchem,” an advanced wastewater treatment solution removing microbial and chemical contaminants.

These and other remarkable innovations underscore Nigeria’s vast potential. As demonstrated in the just-concluded R4i initiative, sponsored by TETFund at Innov8 Hub, Nigerian ingenuity is thriving. The challenge now is to sustain and scale these efforts, ensuring that research and innovation drive national development and inspire the next generation of change agents.

*Eniola Olakunri is a public sector analyst and CEO of Write Affairs, based in Abuja.

By Eniola Olakunri Now more than ever, Nigerians have reason to believe in the nation’s potential. With a wealth of human resources, immense talent, and boundless creativity, the country is

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South South Youths Demand Review of 13% Derivation

*Urge FG to stop dealing with ex-militants

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Following the increasing economic difficulties in the zone, the South South Youths under the auspices the South-South Revolutionary Coalition, (SOSORC). has called on the federal government to review the current 13 per cent derivation arrangement as it has failed to address the environmental challenges of the Niger Delta and South South geopolitical zone.

Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja, the leader of SOSORC, Cicero Afure said that the 13 per cent derivation had not achieved any meaningful development for the South south zone.

He said, ”we disagree with the current 13% derivation provided for the oil producing States, we demand for true federalism, equitable distribution of the nation resources and reiterate the agitation for resource control as advocated for by the 1999 league of Niger-Delta Governors.”

SOSORC condemn all forms of illegal oil bunkering by oil and gas mafias, saying, ”we also condemn the illegal invasion of different part of the country and kidnapping activities by bandits decorated as hunters.

”We reaffirmed our commitment towards a united Nigeria of sustainable development, with security of lives and properties, justice, equity and fairness for all citizens and regions”.

Afure urged the Federal Government to mandate all multinationals and Indigenous Oil Companies operating in the Niger-Delta to relocate their operational and administrative headquarters to the Niger-Delta region, particularly within the States of their exploration to enhance development of the region.

The group urged the federal government to mandate all multinationals and Indigenous Oil Companies operating in the Niger Delta region to carry out effective and meaningful corporate social responsibility programs that will enhance human capital and infrastructural development of the host communities.

The leader of the group said, ”Much has not been done to address the plight and marginalization of the south-south people, however, we commend Mr. president for the establishment of South-South Development Commission (SSDC), we demand for youths representation in the commission.

“SOSORC declared that the NDDC has failed in its mandate, we demand that the federal government should review the activities of the NDDC, PAP and other intervention body of the region to reflect the current needs of the people and end the politicization of NDDC and all other Niger-Delta intervention bodies by engaging accountable and professional personalities, not unaccountable political party agents, to implement the developmental programs of the agencies for the interests of the people and not for the benefits of few political party members.

”SOSORC posits that failure of the government to timely address the above mentioned demands will result to taking any necessary legitimate means available to us to further the pursuit of our agitations against the federal government of Nigeria and the multi-national oil companies that has exposed the youths and people of the south-south to poverty and hunger in the means of abundance of wealth and resources being exploited from us”.

Also, SOSORC condemned what it described as ”the exploitation of the collective wealth, pains and struggle of our people by a fragment of few political elites and ex-militant leaders.”

It said, ”We therefore, disassociate ourselves from all activities of the ex- Niger-Delta agitators and ex-militant leaders, who are now agents of the FGN, enjoying the government patronage of multi billion naira oil facility and surveillance contracts that is not beneficial to the collective wellbeing and development of the South-South people.”

The group said that ”whatever settlement, amnesty, understanding and resolution reached by the ex-Niger Delta militant leaders and the Federal Government of Nigeria is not binding on the modern youths of the South-South region, and does not represent the interest of non-violent agitators who are the majority, therefore it does not represent the people’s interest.”

SOSORC reiterated that the federal government should as matter of urgency address the problems of oil spillage, environmental degradation and provide compensation for the damages suffered, due to oil exploration that has deprived our people of healthy living condition, destroy our farmlands and deprived our parents of sustainable means of livelihood.

The group said, ”We also demand that FGN should as matter of urgency developed and re-open the seaports in Delta, Rivers and other parts of the South-South region to enhance job creation, meaningful youths engagement and economic development of the people”

*Urge FG to stop dealing with ex-militants Chuks Okocha in Abuja Following the increasing economic difficulties in the zone, the South South Youths under the auspices the South-South Revolutionary Coalition,