*Charges Chinda to Be Magnanimous in Victory as a Patriot

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors (RCA) has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of its governorship primaries, describing the process as a shining example of political maturity and a departure from the state’s history of acrimonious contests.

In a statement signed by Comrade Jude Chuks and issued shortly after the declaration of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the group praised the APC leadership and stakeholders for ensuring a rancour-free exercise.

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors, a prominent support structure aligned with the broader Rainbow Coalition political movement in the state, noted that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflects growing commitment to unity, dialogue, and collective progress ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We congratulate the Rivers State APC for conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful primary. This achievement underscores the maturing democratic culture in our state and sets a positive tone for the political season,” Chuks read.

The group specifically hailed the withdrawals of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole, which paved the way for Chinda’s emergence, describing the moves as “statesmanlike decisions taken in the supreme interest of peace and party cohesion.

While celebrating the outcome, the Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors charged the new flag bearer to remain magnanimous in victory and demonstrate the spirit of a true patriot.

“Victory at the primary is not an end in itself but a call to higher responsibility. We urge Hon. Kingsley Chinda to extend a hand of fellowship to all other aspirants, stakeholders, and even those outside the APC.

“True leadership demands inclusivity, humility, and the ability to heal divides rather than widen them,” the ambassadors emphasised.

They further appealed to Chinda to prioritise broad-based consultations, youth and women inclusion, and the welfare of Rivers people in his campaign and future governance plans, noting his legislative experience and cross-party relationships as key assets.

The group, however, expressed optimism that, knowing Chinda’s antecedents as a seasoned lawmaker, bridge-builder, and consistent advocate for good governance, he will unify the party, foster inclusive development, and deliver people-oriented leadership that prioritises the welfare of all Rivers people across party lines.

A pressure group, Concerned Citizen for Change, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, over what it described as “gross incompetence, abuse of public office, and disregard for constituted authority.”

Addressing a press conference at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, the group’s Country Director, Hilary Akor, strongly condemned NAFDAC’s enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottled alcoholic beverages, describing the action as illegal, anti-people, and capable of worsening the country’s economic challenges.

Akor alleged that the agency’s decision violates the National Alcohol Policy already approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and runs contrary to directives previously issued by the Presidency and resolutions of the House of Representatives restraining NAFDAC from proceeding with the enforcement pending further consultations with stakeholders.

According to him, the enforcement action could trigger large-scale economic hardship and social unrest by disrupting the operations of indigenous manufacturers and threatening thousands of jobs across the alcohol production and distribution value chain.

“The Director-General must be fired by Mr President without delay, as her incompetence stinks and is gradually throwing the entire country into needless confusion at a time the administration should focus on consolidating economic gains,” Akor declared.

The group argued that the production of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small PET bottles was designed to provide affordable options for low-income adult consumers and should not be criminalised.

It further dismissed claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse among minors, insisting that smaller packaging sizes actually discourage excessive consumption compared to larger containers.

Concerned Citizen for Change also maintained that locally produced sachet alcoholic beverages are manufactured under hygienic conditions and duly certified by regulatory authorities, including NAFDAC.

The group claimed that industry operators have already invested heavily in campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking through nationwide media awareness programmes.

It warned that the continued enforcement of the ban could lead to the collapse of local businesses, increase unemployment, encourage smuggling, and create room for the circulation of illicit and substandard alcoholic products in the Nigerian market.

The group further alleged that the policy would negatively affect government revenue generation while limiting access to affordable products for low-income consumers.

Akor urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “wield the big stick” by removing the NAFDAC boss from office in the interest of the administration and the Nigerian public.

The group, however, noted that it supports measures aimed at eliminating unsafe and unregulated products from the market but insisted that such policies must be based on empirical evidence, broad stakeholder consultation, and economic realities rather than “emotional persuasion and arbitrary enforcement.”

President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic growth with outdated port infrastructure, stressing that aggressive investment in modern ports, technology and deep sea facilities is now unavoidable.

Dantsoho, who is also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said countries across West and Central Africa have resolved to modernise their ports to remain competitive in global trade and accommodate larger vessels.

Speaking at the closing of the PMAWCA meetings in Lagos, Dantsoho commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for providing policy direction that is repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, port infrastructure remains the backbone of economic growth, noting that no country can expand its GDP without expanding and modernising its ports.

“This is an industry that requires huge investment in infrastructure. You cannot make progress with obsolete facilities and still expect to receive newer and larger vessels,” he said.

“You cannot have a hotel built 50 years ago and expect modern customers to continue coming without refurbishment. It is the same thing with ports.”

He said countries within the sub-region, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin Republic, are currently repositioning their port systems through upgrades and modernisation projects.

Dantsoho disclosed that while Nigeria is refurbishing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports as a medium-term solution, the country must ultimately develop more modern deep sea ports capable of handling future trade volumes.

He noted that the Lekki Deep Sea Port, with two berths, represents progress, but added that Africa must aim for larger and more sophisticated facilities comparable to global maritime hubs.

“In Singapore, they are building ports with hundreds of berths. Guinea is developing a $20 billion deep sea port project. These are the kinds of investments Africa must begin to pursue if we want to compete globally,” he said.

The PMAWCA President also highlighted the growing role of technology, automation, artificial intelligence and robotics in port operations, insisting that data-driven systems are now central to efficient maritime administration.

According to him, the Nigerian Ports Authority has achieved nearly 90 per cent automation in its operations, with electronic payment and cargo processing systems significantly improving efficiency.

He cited the electronic call-up system introduced at Apapa Port as one of the innovations that has drastically reduced traffic congestion around the port corridor.

“Today, you can go into Apapa and leave within minutes. Before now, people spent hours and sometimes slept on the bridge because of congestion,” he said.

Dantsoho further stated that Nigeria currently accounts for over 70 per cent of cargo traffic entering the West and Central African sub-region due to its large population, market size and strategic position in serving landlocked neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso.

He explained that Nigeria’s huge consumer market, combined with its youthful population, gives the country enormous maritime and economic potential if supported with modern infrastructure.

“Our market extends beyond Nigeria because several landlocked countries depend on Nigerian ports. But to sustain that advantage, we must provide deeper waters, stronger quays and modern infrastructure that can accommodate bigger ships,” he added.

He also stressed the importance of regional collaboration and peer review among African port authorities under PMAWCA, saying member countries are increasingly sharing experiences, performance benchmarks and strategies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness across the region.

According to him, Africa’s future economic growth will depend heavily on how quickly its maritime sector adapts to global realities through infrastructure renewal, technological innovation and regional integration.