Today, I signed the ₦1.84 trillion Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill into Law, marking a new chapter of cooperation, unity and progress. I thank Almighty God, the minister of F.C.T; Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike GSSRS, the Rivers State House of Assembly and all Rivers people for their commitment to this process. Our focus remains firmly on the welfare of our people and the continued development of Rivers State.

It was an honour to welcome the GOC, 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, JTF (South-South), Operation Delta-Safe, Maj. Gen. Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, on his courtesy visit today. Rivers State values its enduring partnership with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. We remain committed to strengthening this partnership to protect lives, critical assets and the peace we presently enjoy. I wish him a successful and impactful tenure.

Today in Bonny, we did more than inaugurate a school; we restored a legacy and invested in the future of our children. I sincerely appreciate the Amanyanabo & Natural Ruler of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, CON, DSSRS, our Special Guest, for honouring us and performing the inauguration. The journey of progress in Bonny continues.

On Thursday August 27, we took two important steps in our commitment to the wellbeing, security and prosperity of the people of our dear Rivers State. In Rumuigbo, we inaugurated a new General Hospital and an upgraded Neuropsychiatric Hospital with a 100-bed Rehabilitation Centre. The project brings quality healthcare closer to our people and strengthens our response to mental health and substance abuse challenges. We also inaugurated the rehabilitated Nigerian Air Force Base runway in Port Harcourt, reaffirming our partnership with the Armed Forces and our commitment to the security of Rivers State and the protection of Nigeria’s critical economic assets. We are grateful to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, for graciously inaugurating the healthcare projects, and to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, DFS, for Inaugurating the rehabilitated runway. Healthcare gives our people hope; security gives that hope, room to thrive. This is the Rivers State we are building: healthy, secure and ready for sustainable progress.

Today, I inaugurated the 14.5km Ndele–Agba/Ndele–Otari/Omaraka Road and the 240-metre bridge linking the communities of Emohua and Abua-Odual LGAs. This project is more than just infrastructure; it is an essential link that connects our people, eases movement, strengthens security and opens up new opportunities for economic growth. I sincerely appreciate our people for their cooperation, support and genuine love. Yes, this is your project; own it, protect it and preserve it for generations to come.

Today, we inaugurated the 8.6km Omademe Internal Road in Ikwerre LGA. Our administration is committed to keep delivering quality infrastructure that will ease movement, connect communities and strengthen the movement of agricultural produce to markets. The Omademe Internal Road is a purposeful development that will empower our people by opening up new pathways to prosperity.

It was an honour to declare open the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, themed “Beyond Limits.” The Bar and Bench must uphold justice with courage, integrity and independence, free from political influence, undue delays and technicalities. Our democracy can only thrive if the rule of law is respected and strong institutions protect the rights of every citizen. I truly believe that the quality of justice delivered today will shape the peace, stability and progress of our nation tomorrow.

In continuation of our administration's dedicated commitment to providing quality healthcare to Rivers people, we today inaugurated the Zonal Hospital Omoku. Our investment in the areas of roads, educational facilities, healthcare delivery and other infrastructures will definitely improve the well-being of the people and enhance the development of our dear State. The Zonal Hospital, Omoku is one of three health facilities in Rivers West Senatorial District and we are privileged by the grace of Almighty God to have successfully delivered this project as part of our legacy to the development of the State.

It was a great honour today to have the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency @officialSKSM, GCON as our Special Guest of Honour and to have him officially inaugurate the 33.5km Elele–Egbeda–Omoku Dual Carriageway. For us, the completion of the Carriageway is a promise kept and a lasting reaffirmation of our commitment to Rivers people.

In furtherance to our determined effort of investing in the technical education of our youths, we today inaugurated the following major projects at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola: 1. The Entrepreneurship Centre. 2. The School of Engineering Building and 3. The Governing Council/Senate Building. We remain committed to promoting technical and entrepreneural education, enhancing practical skills, creating opportunities and delivering on projects that make a real difference in the lives of our people.

Today, being Day 2 of our programme, we inaugurated the 12.3km Egwi-Afara-Mba Road in Etche Local Government Area, which we flagged off in December 2024. I assured the people of Etche that before the end of this administration, we will provide a modern Zonal Hospital to serve them and their sister communities in Omuma LGA. God bless the traditional rulers, leaders and people of Etche for their support and warm reception.

Today, we inaugurated the reconstructed 19.79-kilometre Buguma–Degema–Abonnema Road and l must say that l am deeply elated and grateful to God and the people of Rivers State. The road, which used to pose a major challenge to our people and commuters, is now a modern road that eases movement, connects communities and opens new opportunities across the Kalabari Kingdom. As we celebrate this milestone, our work continues with the Trans-Kalabari Road and other infrastructural projects across Rivers State.

Happy New Month.

As I swore in the 12 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries today, I charged them to remain committed to doing what is right for every citizen, for Rivers State and for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their appointment is a call to service, not personal ambition, but a responsibility to strengthen our institutions and advance our collective vision for a more efficient and progressive Rivers State. I am confident that their wealth of experience and dedication will further enhance the effectiveness of the Civil Service and contribute meaningfully to the continued development of our dear Rivers State.

It was a pleasure today receiving the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, at Government House, Port Harcourt, where we signed the Renewed Hope Cultural Project MoU. This collaboration with the Federal Government will strengthen the development of tourism, art, culture & creative economy, while unlocking new opportunities for investment, job creation and economic growth in our state. Earlier, I also welcomed Queen Tamunosoye Karibi George, Nigeria's representative to the forthcoming Miss World Beauty Pageant. We are delighted to support and celebrate ambassadors who are dedicated to showcasing the talent, culture and excellence of Rivers State on the global stage.

Today, I declared open the 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments in Port Harcourt. I highlighted our administration's investments in workers' welfare, including a minimum wage above the national benchmark, prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and bonuses, regular staff promotions and the ongoing remodeling of the State Secretariat into a modern, technology-driven workplace. Delegates were charged to produce practical, forward-looking recommendations that will strengthen public institutions, deepen professionalism, enhance transparency and improve productivity across Nigeria's civil service.

Today, I had the privilege of laying the foundation of a remarkable project, the RIVEN Medical Industries at Rumuosi, along the East/West Road in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. It is a project that will improve the quality of our healthcare delivery through material manufacturing. The initiative will create jobs and boost economic development of our State. The event was also an opportunity to galvanize our people in support of our political position to move the State forward as peace is instrumental to our collective development.