Tag: Fubara

• We’ll know who’s who when time comes, gov boasts
• Odili’s statement disappointing, says Wike’s spokesman

A former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has publicly defended the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in his face-off with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Odili says Fubara’s offence was to have stopped “the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate.”

Although the former Rivers State governor mentioned no name, the media have been awash with stories on the conflict between Fubara and Wike in the last one year.

Wike last night described Odili’s statement as disappointing.

Odili spoke at a Christmas Ballad which he hosted at his Port Harcourt residence on Friday night.

Fubara himself said at the event that his victory in the political crisis was assured.

According to Dr Odili, it is now over 12 months since the 25th of October, 2023 when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.

He said that with assuring fortitude, “Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be, until he (Odili) left office in 2007.

Responding, Fubara, according to his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Chukwudi Nelson, said God had proved Himself worthy as the ultimate liberator of the state and its people because He ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it.

The governor said while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective to leadership.

Fubara said that with the strength of support from Rivers people, he stopped classifying the crisis as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance.

“And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people,” he was quoted as saying.

“So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you that is here. You gave me the encouragement; you do the work for me; you make the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you?

“But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator and the ultimate fighter still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured.”

Fubara said God is in control of the affairs of the state, adding that as they looked forward to a prosperous 2025, they should be assured that it would be better than what has been experienced.

He spoke of the determination of his administration to make each year in the state better than the previous one with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations was indicative of a brighter future ahead.

Read Also: Fubara urges Diri to strengthen BRACE Commission 

He said: “I want to thank everyone, and I assure you that we will continue to run a government that will uplift the image of the state. We will not be tyrants.

“We will remember that what we are doing here today is a shift job, and that one day, our time will be up, and we’ll leave for another person to take over.

“And what is important is to allow the machine to keep running effectively, so that when the other person comes, he continues with that steam for progress in the state.

“So, I thank every one of you for your support.”

Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi, said he least expected to remain in his position, just as he did not expect the governor to last in office given the political crisis, but noted that God turned the crisis into a liberation fight and said he would continue to be on the right side in defence of the state.

A former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, described the gathering as a roll call of the political family of Dr. Odili.

He said Fubara has sufficiently blended traits of Dr Odili’s leadership style with his.

In her speech, Justice Mary Odili, who presented gifts to Fubara, his wife, Lady Valerie, and children, said God knew long ago the need for an emancipator and gave Fubara to Rivers State.

She explained that he had played the role satisfactorily and pledged the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration.

Odili’s statement disappointing, says Wike’s spokesman

Reacting to the statement by Odili, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications and New Media to Wike, Lere Olayinka, labelled it disappointing.

He said Odili had reduced himself to a ridiculous level of partisanship.

He said Odili would get a deserved response from Wike in the coming days.

He said: “Read the comments made by the former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, today, and I can’t but be disappointed that someone who should be acting like an elder statesman can reduce himself to such ridiculous level of partisanship.

“Well, he will get his deserved response from the FCT Minister in due course.”

We’ll know who is who when time comes, Fubara tells detractors

Speaking at the 7th coronation anniversary of HRM Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, Eze Igbu Akoh and Natural Ruler of Ancient Akoh Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state yesterday, Fubara dismissed the threats from the camp of his opponents as mere noise.

He said: “Let’s ignore the noise some people are making. When the time is right, we will know who is who.

“We don’t need to worry about what people are saying. Let the time come, and we will see how it will end. The most important thing is that we must ensure we live peacefully.

“Development cannot come to your kingdom, and development cannot come to the Ekpeye ethnic nationality without peace. There will be many attempts to bring disunity among you. Try as much as you can to avoid it.

“You know the mechanism of those people, ‘divide and rule’. Try to avoid anything that will bring problems to this kingdom so that we can continue to show that we love you by ensuring we bring meaningful projects that will bring development to the Ekpeye people.”

The governor said government was not about being a bully but about the welfare of the people, adding that the happiness of the people would make the government succeed.

“Even if you are not doing everything they want, they should feel free and happy. They should have the freedom to express themselves even in bitter situations, and that is the policy of our government.

Even if we don’t provide everything, I want our people to be free. That freedom is enough assurance to make the people happy and not feel like they are in bondage.

“So, the bondage you were in, I don’t want to mention the number of years, I hereby relieve you of that bondage. So feel free.”

Addressing the king, he said: ‘Finally, Eze Cassidy, you have a lot of responsibilities as the leader and Eze of Akoh Kingdom. Please ensure that you rule your people with the fear of God. That is the only way your reign will be remembered forever.”

He granted the king’s request for the reconstruction of roads in the area and directed his Commissioner for Works to actualise it.

 In his remarks, Eze Cassidy said the results of Fubara’s achievements would be announced in 2027.

“We remain grateful at this time for you to honour me. The result will not come out today; the result will be out in 2027,” he said.

He added: “Two days ago some people cried like cows for missing someone like us.

“In 2027, no matter the bullying and intimidation, I want to tell you to go home and sleep. Some of us don’t talk much but believe in action. 

“To love you is not by talking, but by act. Someone can make a statement but the heart is somewhere else.

“Let me tell you that the entire people of Akoh Kingdom are solidly behind you.”

The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has urged his counterpart in Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, to strengthen the BRACE Commission to tackle security and other challenges facing the Southsouth geopolitical zone.

Fubara spoke when Diri led a delegation from Bayelsa to pay him a Christmas visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

He said efforts by only Rivers and Bayelsa to resolve some issues would be futile if the BRACE Commission failed to establish synergy in all the six states in the zone.

He said: “One assignment I would plead with our leader, the governor, to do is to strengthen the BRACE Commission. The BRACE Commission has the interest of our zone. So we can’t talk about resolving crime alone in Rivers State because if you do that, they might run to Akwa Ibom in day time and return in the night.

“So, there must be synergy in all the six states of the BRACE Commission, which is the only way to resolve most of our problems. So, you have fully taken up this assignment and let’s see what we can record before we leave because the only thing that can speak for us are those things that we have added that can bring changes to the lives of our people.”

Fubara insisted that there was no need for any issue to cause tension between Bayelsa and Rivers noting that the two states could not afford to leave in isolation.

“There is no difference between Rivers and Bayelsa State. We are one, especially my identity as a person is more of Bayelsa. As a governor of Rivers State, it will be out of place if I don’t have that understanding; that friendship and family relationship with a brother state, which is a son out of the old Rivers State”, he said.

He recalled that the leaders of Rivers   before the present political dispensation were all from Bayelsa adding that Rivers story would not be complete without Bayelsa.

Read Also: Fubara approves N100,000 Christmas bonus for civil servants, pensioners

Giving more reasons why Rivers must partner Bayelsa, Fubara said: “If there is any development issue in this State if we don’t work with Bayelsa we can’t sustain the development. The truth about it is that a good number of people living here are people from Bayelsa. They might work administratively there but they reside here. So if we’re developing this state it is also for the interest and better lives of Bayelsans.”

Describing governance as a shift job, Fubara said leaders should learn to leave at expiration of their tenures adding that only their legacies would speak for them after their offices.

“This job is a shift job. When you are there you do the best you can and do it in such a way that what you have done will speak for you when you are no longer there and realise that you have to leave the place.

“Your umbilical cord was not buried there. You have to leave, and when you have that in mind, you will have a different idea of leadership; leadership becomes a business of ruling people with love and you attract respect and not forcing people to respect you because you want to lead them,” he said.

Fubara said Diri’s visit would strengthen their relationship and show to the world that there is a synergy between Bayelsa and Rivers.

He recalled the dark days of militancy in the region and expressed happiness that the zone had turned a new leaf, attributing the existing peace on the intervention of God.

In his remarks, Diri appraised the understanding between the two states since Fubara took over governance and said all the issues dividing the two states had been amicably resolved.

Diri told Fubara that recently the transmission lines from Imo to Rivers state were vandalised at Ahoada axis throwing Bayelsa into six months of darkness.

Diri said the visit was a payback to Fubara similar gestures last year when he led his entourage to visit him at his country home in Bayelsa during Christmas.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a N100,000 yuletide bonus for civil servants, public servants, and pensioners in Rivers State to enable them to enjoy a fulfilling holiday.

A statement signed by the Rivers State Head of Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, stated that the 2024 Christmas bonus would be paid to workers in different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as to pensioners, both in civil and public service.

He said the governor granted the approval on Monday and directed its immediate implementation to allow civil servants to have a wonderful yuletide celebration.

Read Also: Elumelu donates 1,800 bags of rice to Delta community

He stated: “I wish to announce that this is the second time within the administration of His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara that civil servants in the state will receive Christmas bonuses totalling one hundred thousand naira, an amount that exceeds the value of the nation’s minimum wage, and the first time that pensioners are included.

“The one hundred thousand naira Christmas bonus for both civil and public servants, as well as pensioners, is part of Governor Fubara’s “Rivers First’ mantra aimed at enhancing the well-being and happiness of Rivers people across the various sectors of the economy.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his Edo State counterpart, Monday Okpebholo; former Senate President David Mark; and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former Minister of Defence and Interior, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Osagie Abbe (retd).

The late Abbe served under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He died on Saturday in Abuja after a protracted sickness. He was 75.

The late Abbe, who hailed from Edo State, was the military governor (Milad) of Akwa Ibom State from July 31, 1988 to September 5, 1990, and that of Rivers State between August 1990 and January 1992.

Fubara described the late Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers State residents and humanity during his tenure.

In a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Nelson Chukwudi, the governor noted that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a huge loss to the state, the Niger Delta, and the country.

Read Also: Fayemi presents CofO to 237 property owners

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.”

Okpebhbolo described the late Milad as a legendary son of the state.

In a statement yesterday in Benin, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, the governor said: “His tenure as Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1988 to 1990, and later as Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs, demonstrated his exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people.”

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark described the death of Gen. Abbe as the fall of an Iroko tree, leaving a significant void in Nigeria.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military Governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).

Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992. 

Fubara described late Gen Abbe as a leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the state.

The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a huge loss to the state, the Niger Delta, and the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.

Read Also: Rivers crisis: Fubara hints at second term governorship interest

He said: “On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.

“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”

• We awarded N30.4bn road contract, paid N9.1bn amid Rivers seized allocations, says Fubara

• Govt spends N225bn on Trans-Kalabari road

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has not ruled out the possibility of his second coming after the expiration of his first term despite the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Fubara hinted of his second term interest as a governor on Friday when he led a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, to kick off the construction of Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema road awarded to Julius Berger at N30.4bn.

Fubara also disclosed that amid the seized revenue allocations of his state his government continued to kick off new projects and to mobilise contractors to sites.

He said his government paid the contractor N9.1bn representing 30 per cent mobilisation for the 19.7km road worth N30.4bn despite the seizure of his state’s revenue allocations.

On the requests of the people for more projects in the area, the governor said his government had done a lot in the area, if he continued that way his first tenure and probably his second tenure would be all about Kalabari.

He said: “Let me indirectly respond to Amanyanabo’s request. We have done a lot here, if we continue like this my first tenure and probably my second tenure will end in Kalabari.

“We need to look at other places. But that is not to say that we will not visit the Ifoko-Tema bridge, that is important, because it connects two communities. We will visit that project.

Read Also: Wike to security operatives: make Abuja safe during yuletide

“So, let me thank you again for your support and assure you that other aspects of your demands, healthcare, education and empowerment will continue to be on the top burner of this government,” he said.

Fubara said his decision to award the contract and pay the mobilisation fee was borne out of his administration’s love for the Kalabari people.

The governor, who was received by a mammoth crowd in the area, said the Kalabari axis had benefitted immensely from his administration.

He said that his administration had already committed N225bn on the Trans-Kalabari road project.

The governor noted that the only project he had done in his Opobo area was the Ring Road, which he said was less than N10bn adding that the other section of the ring road to connect Kalaibiama to Epellema was also less than N21bn.

Fubara said: “This project is a 19.7km road. It is awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the cost of N30.4bn. We have already paid 30% mobilisation for this project. Even at the heat of our trouble when our allocation was withheld we paid N9.1bn for you to understand how we feel and value the Kalabari people.

“The contractor has assured us that they will do a good job and I believe that at the end or before 15 months life may be different here. The issue of criminality along the bad section of the road will be a thing of the past and other development will follow.

“It takes one, who loves you to do this. In my place the only thing that I have done is the ring road, which is less than N10bn. The other section of the road is the Kalaibiama and the connection to Epellema, which is also less than N21bn.

“This government, not me, has already committed N225bn for the Trans-Kalabari road. This government is also committing another N30.4bn for this road. What is this government trying to tell you? The government loves you genuinely.”

On why the government decided to construct the 19.7km road, he said: “We were here about six months ago when we came to commission the section of Emohua -Terma junction road. On that occasion you requested that fixing the section of Emohua to Tema is not good enough because the other section of the road is very bad.

“Traversing from this junction to Degema to Abonnema was a nightmare. And as a government that listens and a government that has compassion for its people because governance is about the people, we decided to look into your request and by the grace of God today, though not in our style, but because of your request that you want to showcase this event, I granted to flag it off, if not I wouldn’t have been here.”

Fubara said no amount of social media attacks would diminish his achievements and accused his critics of doing terrible things while they were in government.

Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara yesterday said he has conquered the political challenges confronting his administration and the state.

Urging the people not to worry about future events, the governor who spoke in Khan Local Government and Ogoni, said the agents of destruction had failed.

Fubara, who led former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Seconds, to inaugurate 14km  Bori internal roads, said he would intensify the infrastructural development of the state.

Last week, the Court of Appeal set aside the judgement of a Federal High Court that Rivers State cannot receive its statutory allocations from the Federation Account.

The governor said: “Like I will tell all my supporters, God is our fighter. Don’t bother yourself about what you see today. What you should be worried about is what will happen that you don’t know or seen. Not this one,. it is this, we have already conquered it”.

Fubara, who said he cannot abandon the senatorial district, lamented that some people in the area being used as agents of destruction.

Read Also: Uba Sani and the ‘Kaduna Model’ of tackling insecurity, banditry and kidnapping

He said: “My interest for this senatorial district is genuine, not what I intend to get. But I cannot be separated from this senatorial district. The success of this senatorial district is my success.

“So, I feel sorry and pity for those of you who have decided to be agents of destruction, especially from this senatorial District. Ask yourself, if they loved you, why didn’t they better your lives before?”

Describing Khana as the political headquarters of the senatorial district, the governor said he had insisted that the internal road project shoukd be completed.

Fubara added: “It is not about who started it, it is about the interest of the Khana people and the interest of our senatorial district. I am happy that I am here to see the inauguration of this project. Like what the commissioner said, it is about 13.985km, which is approximately 14 kilometers, covering about 23 streets.

“This is just the first phase of it. I can assure you here that we are going to embark on the second phase of it. Why are we doing this? We are talking about love for your people. It is not about love because there is something that you are looking for, then, you sugarcoat bitterness”.

Fubara said stakeholders should join hands to develop Bori, saying that the ancient town was among the three districts established during the colonial era.

He said: “I want to assure you that we are not limiting our development of this senatorial district, Bori in particular, to only roads. We will give you good hospitals. We will rehabilitate the schools as raised here and we will try our best to bring cottage industries to this place.

“That is the only way Bori will be developed. When there is employment, that is when there will be rapid development in Bori and we must do it together”.

Fubara appealed to Ogoni and Khana people to shun tribalism and embrace other people.

He lamented that the polytechnic in the area would have lost its glory, but for the efforts of the management.

He said: “The truth about it is because of the way we are living with strangers and we must change that attitude. We must be accommodating. It is only when strangers come into your place that development will come.”

“You can’t develop on your own. People must come, live with you and you accommodate them so that development will come. Please, I am appealing to you, you must learn to accommodate strangers so that we can develop Bori. I am not a stranger. I am from Zakpor. So, it is not about me”.

The governor thanked the people for supporting him, urging them to continue to have trust in his administration.

He said his administration would ensure that the on-going zonal hospital projects in Bori would be the first to be commissioned in few months to resolve the issues of healthcare.

Fubara added: “My appeal to you is to work peacefully with everyone and that is the only way we can bring more development to this place.”

The governor said he chose Secondus to inaugurate the project because he understood politics.

Fubara recalled that many of them started life in the area in the 70s after the civil war, adding that his father and uncle spent their working years in Bori.

He said: “There is nobody in this senatorial district that did not pass through this place and we must join hands to make sure that we improve Bori and Bori should be another place people will be yearning to live, not only Port Harcourt City”.

Secondus said God made all the leaders and wondered why some persons were behaving as if they fell from heaven.

In apparent reference to Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Secondus said some people had forgotten how they rose to political stardom.

He said: “Those who are shouting in Abuja, how were they made? It was God. Some of us, and the leaders seated here today that made it possible. God first, because we do not want to take God’s glory.

“I can recall during my thanksgiving service, immediately after I was made national chairman, he said it clearly, outside God, it was my humble self and other leaders who made it possible. Today, when he speaks, either in Abuja or here, it appears as if he fell from heaven”.

Secondus described Fubara as a humble man of few words, who also has respect for elders.

He said: “I can tell you, the test of a leader is when you find yourself in confusion and frustration, yet come out of it with even greater faith. Like Governor Fubara, you will see the real leader of the people. He is not a man who seeks accolades. We have seen him.

“Those of us who are leaders and elders can see the change in our state. Even the traditional rulers can confirm that they are no longer harassed, and there are no longer toxic situations for commissioners and permanent secretaries

“Do not worry. Power comes from God. The same way God gave it to him through us, God has given it to you. From what we are seeing, you will excel. One thing that is important in the Ten Commandments is, ‘love your neighbor as yourself’. You are spreading that part of the Ten Commandments across our state. You love everybody. You respect leaders and elders, and all we can do is pray for you”.

Secondus added: “It is almost a miracle and wonderful to see this facelift—something we have been yearning for over decades. Today, it has come true. The governor of Rivers State, with his policy of urban renewal, has taken seriously the fact that we can no longer carry the tag of a one-city state. Therefore, Bori is on its way to becoming a modern city in Nigeria very soon.

“By the time the Eleme Junction-Onne section of the East-West Road is completed, the journey from Bori to Port-Harcourt should take about 20 minutes. We will be able to comfortably stay in Bori and go to work in Port Harcourt”.

The Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said 23 internal roads were reconstructed.

He said the roads covered different locations such as Kenule Street, Mkpe Street, Mgbor Street,Agaba Street, Benson Street, Winners Street, Muna Street, Bue Street, Zobari Street, Yokana Street, Salvation Street, Ndonake Street, Faithway, Zami, Polytechnic road, Sigalo close, Back of Police Station Street, RTC road, Taaba road, Kaani road, Bank road, Campus road and Ken Poly Management Campus road.

He added: “All these roads put together were built and the total length is 13.985 kilometers, 10,000 kilometers of drains, and in all the roads we have basic specifications of 150mm of stone base, 50mm of binder course and 50 mm of wearing course.”

Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara yesterday recounted how his enemies piled pressures on the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to dump him.

Fubara spoke on the lingering political crisis in the state at the Special Thanksgiving Service organised in honour of Danagogo at the St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral in Abonnema Town, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

The service was organised over the conferment of the Tubofiya III Chieftaincy Stool on Danagogo as the head of Da Tubofia Group of Houses and for his reappointment as the SSG.

Danagogo was a friend to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Abuja Nyesom Wike throughout his eight-year tenure as Rivers’ governor.

Though Danagogo held no portfolio, he was always in Wike’s company and was popularly called a ‘friend of the governor’.

Read Also: Children malnutrition: FG moves to reverse Nigeria’s top global, continental ranking

Wike appointed him the SSG during his second term in office, a position he held till the end of Wike’s tenure on May 29, last year.

Danagogo refused to quit Fubara’s administration when Wike’s loyalists resigned their appointments. He insisted on working with the incumbent, a decision that earned him his reappointment as the SSG.

At the thanksgiving yesterday, Fubara said his enemy camp failed in the bid to compel and compromise the SSG to abandon his government.

Describing Danagogo as a dependable ally, Fubara said it took a man, who believed in something to resist the kind of temptation that came the way of his SSG.

Fubara also said his style of governance placed emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness through creating a conducive internal work environment to enable members of cabinet function maximally.

The governor acknowledged that greater productivity he desired could not be achieved in a toxic workplace of tension, anxiety and fear.

Addressing Danagogo, he said: “He is telling you the story of how he was re-appointed. I don’t know why he didn’t add the story that he was also compelled, given ultimatum, to resign.

“It takes a man who believes in something; it takes a man who is honourable and has integrity to stand by you. I want to say that this administration that I am leading will stand by you.

“You don’t need to worry about the Blood Pressure (BP) drugs again because I don’t intend to give anyone BP. There is no commissioner here that has BP. Before, you people used to have BP, but now, there is no BP.

“There is no permanent secretary that was always lying in the hospital and is still lying in hospital now because there is no BP.

“For the fact that I won’t give you stress, even if I have to correct you, I will correct you with love, understanding that you are human beings.

“And when this is the relationship, you see efficiency and effectiveness, and you see how government is moving forward. That is what we do, and that is the secret of the improved health of my SSG, and the wife is no longer reminding him whether he has taken his drugs.”

He charged traditional rulers in the area to continue to support activities of government, foster peace and unity in their domain.

Fubara donated N50 million to St. Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral as support of the state government to advance the work of evangelism of the Church.

Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan described Danagogo as a diligent, quiet, result-oriented public officer who served deservedly as Minister of Sports in the administration of her husband.

He urged him to continue to exhibit excellence as he serves as SSG, and ensure that he does not disappoint those who trust in his loyalty and capacity.

Danagogo said without lobbying and scheming, God granted him favour to be re-appointed as SSG by Fubara, while his family found him suitable to be installed as their traditional ruler, and consequently the head of the Da Tubofiya Group of Houses.

He described working with Fubara as a life-changing experience in a none toxic work environment that had reduced his intake of his BP drugs, and expressed gratitude to God for giving Rivers State such a humble, simple and caring Governor.

The SSG also narrated how the lot fell on him to be elected unanimously as chief charged with the onerous task of providing traditional leadership to his people, even as the least of the sons in the family.

At the thanksgiving were Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu; Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie; former Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; former Senators Lee Maeba, John Azuta Mbata, and Adawari M. Pepple; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus; and former transport minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo among others.