River State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has commended workers for the industry harmony existing between them and his administration since he assumed office in 2023.

The Governor particularly hailed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress ( TUC) and all affiliate unions in the state, for choosing dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving trade disputes, saying this mature approach to labour unionism has promoted industrial harmony in Rivers State.

In a goodwill message to the workers of Rivers State on May Day 2026, Governor Fubara said the peace enjoyed at work places across the state is a product of the maturity of the leadership of the organised labour and enjoined them to keep the dialogue table open and industrial relations in the state, progressive.

The Governor expressed gratitude to all workers in the Rivers State Civil Service for their contributions towards the development of the state and pledged that his administration will continue to ensure that their welfare and wellbeing remain a priority. He disclosed that the State Secretariat Complex rehabilitation is ongoing and when completed, will improve the work environment and promote efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

In the past 35 months, Fubara said, the civil servants have maintained peace, harmony and stability despite the political storms in the state. He assured them that their dedication and sacrifice will not be in vain.

Onwuka Nzechi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement Friday, quoted Fubara to have said- “Despite political storms, you did not down tools. Our schools did not shut. Our hospitals did not close. That is because you chose service over strife. Rivers State owes you a debt of gratitude. On our part, salaries have been paid promptly every consecutive month. Pensions are being cleared. Let me assure you that no senior citizen who served this state will be left behind.

“Today, Rivers State stands still to honour the people who keep it moving. You are the teachers in Khana and Ahoada who show up even when the rain is heavy. You are the nurses at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital ( RSUTH) who hold the night shift with grace. You are the civil servants in the State Secretariat who turn policy into service, the engineers on the Port Harcourt Ring Road braving the sun, the sanitation workers who give us clean streets before the city wakes, and the farmers and artisans whose labour feeds our economy.

“My charge to you this May Day: Keep being the difference. Be diligent and give your best to Rivers State. The road from Degema to Port Harcourt is shorter today because an engineer woke up to work. A child in Etche can read because a teacher refused to give up. That is the Rivers story. You are the authors.”

The governor acknowledged that while the cost of living has tested every household and transport to work takes more from the pocket, the average worker has not given up because of their belief in Rivers State, adding that his administration will not betray that trust.

Jerry Eze Foundation, has disbursed over N1 billion in grants to 240 entrepreneurs drawn from across Nigeria.

The grant award ceremony, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, described as a significant push toward grassroots economic empowerment, attracted a wide spectrum of Nigeria’s political leaders, business executives, clergy, and entertainment figures.

Each of the 240 beneficiaries received $3,000 in funding support to either expand existing businesses, stabilise operations, or launch new ventures.

The initiative is positioned as part of the Foundation’s broader mission to convert faith-driven philanthropy into measurable economic impact, particularly for micro and small-scale enterprises that often face limited access to financing.

To ensure transparency and credibility, the Foundation engaged global consulting firm KPMG to oversee the selection process. According to organisers, over 16,000 applications were received through the dedicated portal, while 9,668 applicants met the eligibility requirements and completed the full process. From this pool, 240 entrepreneurs were carefully selected from different parts of Nigeria.

The selection criteria focused on three strategic sectors seen as vital to Nigeria’s economic transformation: agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, and technology and digital services.

Officials said the process was designed to be rigorous, merit-based, and transparent, ensuring that only businesses with strong growth potential and community impact were selected.

Following Thursday’s ruling of the Supreme Court, the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has assumed effective charge and is expected to appoint a new caretaker committee to pilot affairs of the party.

The apex court had in its ruling, upheld judgements of the Federal high court and the court of Appeal which invalidated the November 2025 Ibadan convention as well as the expulsion of some members of the party including Sam Anyanwu and others.

By the ruling, all actions taken by the faction led by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have become null and void, including the March Abuja conversation and appointment of a caretaker committee. This is in view of the fact that most of the members of the committee were among those expelled by the party.

Following the Thursday ruling by the Supreme Court, leaders and stakeholders of the PDP including governors, senators, reps members and others met in Abuja Thursday night where board of Trustees of the party took effective charge of affairs, in accordance with the party’s constitution.

Subsequently, Chairman of PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the board has assumed leadership of the opposition party.

Wabara, in a statement, said the board would convene an emergency meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee(m (NEC), to appoint an interim executive to take charge of the affairs of the party.

The BoT statement reads, “It is with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumes leadership of our great party today, Thursday, 30th April, 2026 pursuant to the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).

“This constitutional intervention of the BoT is so as not to allow any leadership vacuum at the national level of our party following judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Sadly, the Supreme Court, today delivered an unpleasant judgment against our party in which it pronounced an invalidation of the 15th to 16th November 2025 National Convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of our Party.

“While the Supreme Court invalidated the Ibadan Convention, it also in a unanimous decision of the five justices on the panel, upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively from the Party.

“The implication of today’s judgment by the Supreme Court is that all actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee and the conduct and outcome of the March 29th, 2026 Convention in Abuja are illegal, null and ab initio void.

“The consequential invalidation of both the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led as well as the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Working Committees directly places the statutory onus of leadership of our great party on the shoulders of the Board of Trustees (BoT) as the Second Highest Organ of the Party, pursuant to the express and unambiguous provision of Section 32 (5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“Against this backdrop, the BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP as immediate constitutional remedial steps to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilize and return the party to good political health.”

Wabara added that “in the light of the foregoing an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), pursuant to the provisions of Section 31 of the Constitution of the PDP will be summoned to, among other things, appoint an Interim National Working Committee to take charge of the National Secretariat of our Party and pilot the affairs of the Party at the national level so as to meet all the timeline in the Electoral Act, 2026 and ensure that the PDP fields candidates and also emerged victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

“Consequently, all staff of the PDP are hereby directed to resume at the National Secretariat of the Party under the leadership of the BoT ahead of the appointment of the Interim National Working Committee.

“The BoT commends the courage, effort and resilience of our governors, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Assembly caucus, the National Ex-officios, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and State chapters, the Youth and Women Wings and other organs and bodies in the PDP for standing strong for the party at this trying time.

“The BoT therefore calls on all leaders and members of the party to jettison all personal and group interests and come together as one family in the overall interest of our Party, democracy and the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians whose hope are anchored on the PDP.

“The PDP has suffered enough; the painful victims of this unfortunate episode is the Nigerian people. The time has therefore come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords and embrace genuine reconciliations for lasting peace and chart a new course for our party. “