By Laide Akinboade Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Ogoni people of Rivers State will reward President Bola Tinubu with their votes in the 2027 general elections for giving them a Federal University of Environment and Technology and appointing their sons and daughters into key federal positions.

The Minister, who said the Federal University of Environment Technology will become a major driver of employment, economic growth and development in the Ogoni area, spoke on Wednesday at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting with the people of Tai at Gbenegininwa Hall, Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He urged residents to appreciate the long-term benefits of the institution, describing its establishment as a significant achievement that could transform the fortunes of the area.

Wike said the university was the product of sustained efforts by the late Senator Barry Mpigi, who worked to secure federal approval for its establishment before his death.

According to Wike, the process of establishing a federal university requires extensive legislative and executive procedures, making the institution a major opportunity for the people of Tai and the wider Ogoni community.

“If you don’t know what it is, even me as a minister, it would be difficult to go through the National Assembly. The National Assembly will pass it, it will now go to the President. Sometimes, the bill will stay there for years,” he said.

The minister urged the people not to underestimate the institution’s potential, noting that its benefits would become more evident as it expanded its academic programmes and operations.

“You don’t know what you have because the university just started. By the time this university stays four years, five years, then you will know the development,” he said.

Wike added that the institution would create employment opportunities for young people and generate economic activities that would benefit residents and businesses in the host community.

He said the university’s presence would provide opportunities for qualified indigenous people to secure jobs while stimulating demand for accommodation, transportation, trade and other services.

At the town hall meeting, Wike also welcomed political associates who had returned to the Rainbow Coalition after disagreements, describing their reunion as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among leaders and supporters.

He said the group had not broken into separate political parties, adding that the disagreements that arose among members should not prevent them from working together.

“Let me first of all welcome my brothers. They didn’t go anywhere. There was no fight, they didn’t go to any other party, the same party, but there was a small fight and so we’ve all come back together to work as a team,” he said.

The minister commended the local government chairman for his commitment to reconciliation and urged the leadership to ensure that returning members were treated fairly.

He said the reintegration process should be genuine and inclusive, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the group’s cohesion.

Wike said the meeting was also intended to enable political stakeholders to assess their options and consider what would best serve the interests of Tai, Ogoni and the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

He urged residents to examine the records of political leaders seeking their support rather than rely solely on campaign promises.

The minister questioned what some political figures had done for the area while occupying public offices, arguing that voters should assess their contributions to the development of Rivers State and the country.

Wike also challenged political leaders in Tai to meet a proposed target of securing 70 per cent of votes for President Tinubu and other candidates supported by the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming elections.

He clarified that the target was based on votes cast in favour of the candidates, rather than 70 per cent of registered voters.

The minister recalled that Tai had traditionally been among the first local governments to deliver its election results in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

He encouraged the local government to maintain its record, adding that it could receive additional support if it achieved the target.

Wike said the proposed incentive was intended to encourage political mobilisation and strengthen the coalition’s grassroots organisation.

The minister’s remarks came as the Tai Local Government Council disclosed plans to partner with him on an estate project intended to provide accommodation for students, parents and visitors to the institution.

The Council Chairman and Rainbow Coalition Coordinator in Tai, Mbakpone Okpe, said the necessary processes had been concluded, with developers expected to sign an agreement ahead of the project’s commencement.

Okpe also disclosed that the council had constructed the university’s entrance gate and an approximately one-kilometre dual carriageway within the premises to complement the Federal Government’s investment.

The local government chairman had earlier told the gathering that Tai recorded 4,568 collected Permanent Voter Cards during the first-quarter distribution exercise.

Okpe said the coalition was working to integrate former members and mobilise supporters across the local government’s 10 wards.

He also said the council had set aside N100 million in an account in preparation for the proposed incentive scheme.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the people of Tai to pay tribute to the late Senator Barry Mpigi and thank Wike for his support following the senator’s death in March 2026.

Okpe said the minister took responsibility for the burial arrangements, easing the burden on the deceased’s family and the community.

He described Wike’s intervention as evidence of his long standing relationship with the late senator and the people of Tai.

The chairman also disclosed that his administration spent about N120 million monthly on an empowerment programme benefiting at least 3,400 people.

He said the council would continue to support the university’s development and pursue additional projects to improve infrastructure and living conditions across Tai.

President Bola Tinubu is presiding over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The meeting began shortly after Tinubu arrived at the venue at 2:34pm, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Our correspondent observed that the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory and Aviation, among others, were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

The council is expected to consider a new National Policy on Small and Medium Enterprises as one of the items on the agenda.

The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii, had on Tuesday hinted at the pending policy while speaking at the rollout of a free digital training platform designed to improve SME access to government contracts in Abuja.

Odii said, “SMEDAN welcomes this partnership as the apex agency for MSME development. We see this portal as a practical step towards making the government a more accessible market for entrepreneurs.

“When capable SMEs can compete for public contracts on clear terms, they gain avenues and experience, the government broadens its supplier base, and more value stays in the local economy.

“This is fully consistent with the national policy on MSMEs. We are reviewing the national policy on SMEs right now and we are just awaiting the FEC approval for the policy, from 2026 to 2030, and the policy expressly provides for improved MSME participation in public procurement under its market access provisions, recognising public contracts as a strategic route for enterprise growth, formalisation, and local content.”

By Laide Akinboade Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to show what they did for Rivers State, questioning their contributions to the people of Tai and Ogoni.

Wike spoke at a town hall meeting in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the election.

The former Rivers State governor questioned Atiku’s record during his eight years as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, asking whether he had done anything for the people of Tai and Ogoni.

“Atiku, you have been vice president for 8 years, is that not correct? Is it not correct? Do you remember the Thai people? Do you remember the Ogoni people?” Wike asked.

He also dismissed the social media popularity of Obi, arguing that online visibility was not enough to qualify anyone to lead the country.

“Yes, Peter Obi everywhere in social media, everywhere in social media. Peter Obi, what did he do? No, go and ask him,” he said.

Wike urged the people to look beyond political popularity and assess candidates based on their records and contributions, particularly to the development of their communities.

He cited the establishment of the Federal University of Environment in Tai as an important development for the Ogoni area, saying the institution would create employment and educational opportunities as it grows.

The minister urged residents not to underestimate the benefits of the university, noting that establishing a federal institution required considerable effort and legislative backing.

He urged residents to consider the development opportunities available to the area when deciding whom to support, maintaining that political leaders should be judged by their records rather than their popularity.

Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Mbakpone Friday Okpe, highlighted his administration’s efforts to support the university and expand educational opportunities for local students.

Okpe said the council had completed the screening of postgraduate students for bursaries and grants, explaining that the intervention was intended to help students take advantage of the institution’s presence in the area.

He said the council had also constructed the university’s entrance gate and a dual-carriageway within the institution, alongside a one-kilometre tarred road, to complement the Federal Government’s efforts.

The chairman listed markets and lodge facilities among projects completed by his administration, adding that other projects, including a health centre, a modern town hall and community roads, were planned.

Okpe said the university represented an important opportunity for Tai and the wider Ogoni area, adding that the local government would continue to support its full take-off.