Okolobi Gist Specials

 I will not go into the gutter with because that's where you belong ~ Atiku fires back at Nyesom Wike    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the welfare of Nigerians.  This was in response to Wike’s recent remarks in Port Harcourt, where he referred to Atiku as a “rejected politician.” Wike’s comments followed Atiku’s reaction to the recent local government elections in Rivers State, where Atiku stated that the elections had revealed that “the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.” Wike, seemingly dismissing Atiku’s statement, said, “If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You that contested and failed woefully, Nigerians h...

 DEFUNCT MARTIN AMAEWHULE LED RIVERS ASSEMBLY DECLARES SEATS OF EDISON AND 3 OTHERS VACANT  ...  Gives Another Opportunity to Gov. Fubara to Present 2024 Appropriation Bill In compliance with the combined provisions Section of 109 (1)(e),(f) and Section 109 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as altered, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday,  at its 56th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session, has declared the seats of Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie, Hon. Victor Oko Jombo, Hon. Adolphus Timothy Oruibienimigha and Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada East II, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro and Ahoada West Constituency respectively. Riding on the back of a Motion moved by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack and co-sponsored by 25 other Members, that the seats of these 4 Members be declared vacant for their continued refusal or failure to attend and participate in Legislative meetings of the House, without just cause for a period amounting in aggregate, to more than one-th...

 The Federal Government has criticized Rotimi Amaechi for calling on Nigerian youth to rise up and protest towards the high cost of living currently grappling the nation. In an interview this week, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed his disappointment at the way Nigerians are responding to the nation’s current economic challenges, stating that he had expected more visible reactions from citizens, particularly the youth. “I expected more agitation, especially from the youth. “I thought we would see protests in the streets, but it seems people are not expressing the kind of anger I expected,” remarked the former governor of Rivers State. The FG in response via a statement released by SA on Information, Bayo Onanuga, the government called Amaechi unpatriotic, saying he has been dependent on state resources for much of his adult life. The statement reads; ROTIMI AMAECHI INCITING ANARCHY IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNPATRIOTIC From the lavish comfort of his “proverbia...

  RESIDENCY TRAINING: GOV FUBARA PAYS OVER N300M GRANT IN TWO YEARS FOR 389 DOCTORS •Sets New Record In Healthcare Funding  Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the release of over N300million as grant to 389 medical doctors in the State Civil Service who are on residency training. The released fund will cover two consecutive years - 2023-2024 -  Residency Training Grant requirements with payments ranging from N800,000 to N900,000 per resident doctor for each year. A total of 215 resident doctors received the funding for the year 2023, while 174 resident doctors have so far received the training grant in 2024 in the State. With this milestone, the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has set a new record in the healthcare funding as residency training grant has only been paid twice in the past 16 years, with the last paid in 2018. By this strategic action, Governor Fubara, has recommitted the resolve of his administration towards en...

  NATIONWIDE PROTEST: LIFE'LL BE BETTER AFTER THIS PHASE OF HARDSHIP - GOV FUBARA  •Urges Protesters To Be Peaceful •Warns Against Hijack By Hired Thugs Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reassured of sustaining the implementation of policies and programmes that will continue to make living better by the day for all residents in the State. The Governor acknowledged the realities of the current harsh economic conditions that have necessitated the nationwide protest, but insisted that it will be for a short time, given the commitment of President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to secure a better future for all Nigerians. Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the gates of Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday when he addressed a group of youths on #EndBadGovernance protest, who came to register their complaints over the growing economic hardship in the country.  The Rivers State governor thanked the youths for being peaceful with their pro...

 REACTIVATE ALL BLOCKED LINES, NCC ORDERS TELECOS Telecommunications operators in Nigeria are now ordered to restore all blocked phone lines, immediately. The Nigerian Communications Commission,NCC, gave the directive in a statement made public on Monday. It was signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka. In the statement, NCC noted that those lines were reported blocked due to non-linkage of National Identification Numbers to SIM cards. NCC said the directive was in response to the widespread disruption caused by the blockages. It insisted that there is need to always prioritise the conveniences of the consumers. “The consumer is our priority; therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the Commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend, in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs." Many telecommunicat...

  President Bola Tinubu says he does not owe any cabal compensation as he spent his fortune pursuing his presidential ambition during the last election. The President, who received a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau, at the State House on Thursday, July 15, said his victory at the polls was purely by divine intervention. The President dismissed claims that he is being controlled by some ‘’cabal’’ to make some of the economic reforms his administration embarks on. “I have no cabal. I have no sponsors. The money I spent on the elections was my personal fortune. At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God. One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption. What should be uppermost in our minds is the future of our children. We have a lot to teach them on what ...