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  • Fubara inaugurates five new commissioners in Rivers

    Fubara inaugurates five new commissioners in Rivers

    Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated five new commissioners recently screened and confirmed by the state House of Assembly.

    The people sworn in by the governor at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, October 27, were Dr. Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Housing; Austin Ben Chioma, Commissioner for Environment and Prince Isaac Umejuru, Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development.

    Others were Mr. Joseph Johnson, Commissioner for Information & Communication, and Mr. Victor Kii, Commissioner for Agriculture.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi charged the commissioners to cultivate a culture of teamwork by mobilising workers in their ministries to ensure higher productivity.

    Read Also: Supreme Court: We have full confidence in Tinubu – Yoruba Community

    Fubara said he was in need of competent people to deliver on his campaign promises and to create a greater Rivers.

    The governor said: “We have in our midst today very capable people, who are going to add value to our system. Some of you might have been nominated by your local government after deliberations but here, you are not representing your local governments, you are working for the State.

    “The task is to deliver for the State. Your loyalty is to the State because if you don’t do that when you leave, whether you like it or not, the records will be there to show what you did while you served as a commissioner.

    “So, I charge you to leave your local issues and focus on promoting the interest of our State. That is the only way the theme that we all agreed on, consolidation and continuity, can be felt in our State.”

    Fubara advised them against acting as sole administrators in their ministries and encouraged them to embrace teamwork.

  • Tribunal ruling affirms people’s trust in us, says Fubara

    Tribunal ruling affirms people’s trust in us, says Fubara

    The Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has described the judgement of the Governorship Election Tribunal which upheld his electoral victory as an affirmation of the people’s trust in him.

    Fubara spoke at a thanksgiving service held in the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, October 3, and attended by some members of the State Executive Council and political leaders.

    The governor, in a statement signed by his special assistant media, Boniface Onyedi, insisted that he would not disappoint the expectations of Rivers people on his administration.

    Fubara explained that the place of God in his administration would not be compromised, saying God made his emergence as governor at the poll possible.

    Read Also: Support, pray for Tinubu to succeed, says Fubara 

    The governor particularly thanked the immediate past Governor of Rivers state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his immense support and to Rivers people for rallying behind him.

    The governor, who solicited more support, also enjoined Rivers people to be patient with his administration to deliver good governance that would make their lives better.

    In his exhortation, the chaplain of the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rev. Barasin Ogan, commended the governor for always thinking of God.

    Ogan declared that the hand of God was upon Governor Fubara and would strengthen him to deliver justice without bias and mercy without ceasing.

  • Support, pray for Tinubu to succeed, says Fubara 

    Support, pray for Tinubu to succeed, says Fubara 

    Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara has called on the people to support and pray for the success of the President Bola  Tinubu-led federal government.

    Fubara, who argued that 63 years was still not enough for any country to fully develop, congratulated the people for their courage and resilience to surmount the odds and challenges on the journey to nationhood.

    Speaking on Sunday, October 1, at St Paul’s Cathedral Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt during an Interdenominational Church Service to mark the nation’s 63rd Independence, said the current Tinubu-led Federal Government was doing its best.

    He insisted that surmounting the challenges faced by the nation required the commitment of not only the leaders at various levels of governance but also all Nigerians.

    “I want to say that the new administration at the centre, is doing its best, what we owe them is our prayers and support to achieve the Nigeria of our dream”, he said.

    Read Also: Wike storms court as Tribunal reserves judgment in Cole’s petition against Fubara

    Fubara said Nigerians had refused to be discouraged by the numerous challenges faced by the country and had chosen to remain bonded as a nation.

    Despite the various challenges, he said the country had recorded some significant breakthroughs in its journey, particularly in sustaining the democratic process.

    “I believe that for a country to develop, 63 years is still small, but even in all our struggles, challenges, there is still some take away, the take away can be seen in the way we have managed ourselves in the last 24 years, managing our democratic system”, he said 

    Describing his emergence as Governor as an act of providence, Fubara said:  “I didn’t struggle to be governor of Rivers State, God made it possible by one way or the other.

    “I strongly  believe that because he had brought this responsibility upon me, he is going to lead me, He is going to make me succeed because He is God that never fails.”

    Fubara assured that his administration would not renege on his promises to Rivers people, particularly in terms of security of lives and welfare of the people.

    The governor commended the security agencies for their relentless efforts in fighting crime, criminality; quelling acts that threatened the sovereignty of the country and assured them of his continued support. 

    Fubara further charged traditional rulers to remain as fathers to everybody and to expose criminal elements in their domains as their contributions towards achieving the goal of protection of lives and property of all residents in the state.

    He said: “On may 29th  when we took our oath of office, we did promise the people that we will protect lives and properties, we will do everything we can within our powers to make life better for our people.

    “We are doing that. We promise to consolidate and continue on the NEW Rivers vision, and to the glory of God we have  not deviated from it, we may be experiencing some challenges, which is natural but  we are still on course, we can assure you that at the end of the day, that reason for supporting us must be achieved.”

    In his sermon the Anglican Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt Rev Budu Wisdom Ihunwo said Nigerians should use the occasion of the 63rd Independence to reflect on the ideals of nationhood and be ready to amend  their ways and make sacrifices to put the nation on the path of progress.

  • Fubara places N100m bounty on prime suspect 2Baba over DPO’s murder

    Fubara places N100m bounty on prime suspect 2Baba over DPO’s murder

    Rivers Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, popularly known as 2Baba, wanted over the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

    The Governor also placed a bounty of N100m on 2Baba, who is the leader of the notorious Iceland cult group, identified as the prime suspect in the matter.

    Fubara, in a statement he personally signed on Saturday, further suspended the traditional ruler of Odiemudie community, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, for acts of complicity in ceding the control of his territory to 2Baba.

    He said: “Yesterday, 8th September 2023 at about 7.00 pm, I was briefed on the security operations around the Odiemudie Community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, by a bunch of criminals, presently at large.

    “S.P Bako and his team ran into an ambush while returning from their operation where they were attacked by the criminals. Unfortunately, he was shot in the ensuing gunfire, captured and eventually murdered by his captors.

    ​”Credible intelligence from the security agencies traced the entire incident to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and his criminal gang, who have established camps in the locality and are responsible for the resurgence of violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.

    “As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our State. 

    “Accordingly, upon the review of the entire incident and the security situation in the affected areas with the security agencies, we have decided on the following measures to bring the murderers of SP Bako to justice and arrest the deteriorating security situation in the Ahoada East Local Government:

    Read Also: I won’t lower Wike’s standard, momentum of development, says Fubara

    “First, the prime suspects, Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared wanted. Secondly, a bounty of one hundred million (N100,000,000.00) naira is hereby placed on his head for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.

    ​”Thirdly, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, is hereby suspended indefinitely for acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities”.

  • I won’t lower Wike’s standard, momentum of development, says Fubara

    I won’t lower Wike’s standard, momentum of development, says Fubara

    Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people of the state that he would not lower the standard and momentum of development he inherited from his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

    The governor said the standard set by the past administration remained one way of contributing positively to improving the lives of Rivers people and advancing the fortunes of the state.

    Fubara spoke on Thursday, September 7, when he kicked off the construction of internal roads in Elelenwo community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

    The kick-off, which attracted a large crowd of people was part of activities to celebrate the governor’s first 100 days in office in accordance with his campaign promises to consolidate on the existing pace of development.

    Fubara said his commitment to expanding the scope of development compelled his administration to approach the state House of Assembly for approval to increase the 2023 budget from N500bn to N700bn.

    The governor said: “The 2023 budget that we inherited was about N500bn. Because of the sensitive nature of projects we nominated for the expansion and development of our dear state, we sought approval from the State House of Assembly that graciously approved an estimated budget, at that time, of N200bn, which we added to make N700bn. If you divide what we met, you can see that we are doing about 80 per cent of the proposed budget of 2023 that we inherited.”

    Fubara said the approval enabled his administration to begin the construction of the Port Harcourt dual carriage Ring Road project, which he described as the single largest project ever undertaken by any state in the country.

    He said that his administration would go ahead to deliver more projects that would benefit not only Rivers people but also every resident contributing to advance the economic activities of the state.

    Read Also: Rivers APC disagrees with Fubara’s achievements

    The governor urged residents in the Elelenwo community to embrace peace, live in unity and cooperate with his administration’s efforts to tackle issues of insecurity in the area.

    He said: “Today, we are here to do something unusual. It is unusual because when you mark the first one hundred days in office, it is not just the commissioning of projects, but we want to start adding flag-off of projects. So, we are adding these Elelenwo internal roads as part of our programme for our first one hundred days in office.

    “You are aware of our journey from the first day that we took the oath of office, we made promises to the good people of Rivers State that we are not going to lower the momentum for any reason but continue to add value to what we met believing that the only way we can sustain the strength of our party is to contribute positively to the lives of our people.”

  • 100 days: Rivers APC tackles Fubara over achievements

    100 days: Rivers APC tackles Fubara over achievements

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disagreed with some of the many achievements listed by the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during his state broadcast to mark his 100 days in office.

    The state’s spokesperson of APC, Darlington Nwauju, described some of the claims as bogus without empirical evidence.

    Nwauju in a statement on Wednesday, September 6, however, commended the governor for improving the sanitary condition of the state secretariat complex within his 100 days.

    He said: “It is an absolute falsehood to claim that the state’s free WAEC/NECO policy achieved a 100% success given the fact that school Principals were caught with evidence of extorting parents on the same subject matter.

    “The corrupt tendencies of government officials stationed at the Ministry of Education, who shamelessly trade in distributing postings for WAEC/NECO exams’ supervision while compelling school Principals to make returns on these external exams has remained one of the “consolidated” achievements of Gov Fubara’s administration.

    “While it is true that government is a continuum, the unveiling of luxury buses purchased by the Rotimi Amaechi administration as part of the state’s palliatory measures to cushion the effect of removal of subsidy from the price of petrol, should not have gone without giving credit to the Amaechi administration.

    “Again, it is abundantly clear to residents of Port Harcourt City and environs that the state must have to do more to tackle the sufferings of ordinary citizens in the hands of shylock transport operators as the cost of transportation within Rivers State, is outrageously exorbitant and wipes away the meagre monthly salaries of an average civil servant or middle-class family.

    On the promotion of civil servants, payment of gratuities and pensions in the state, Nwauju said: “We dare say that besides the very recent additions made to salaries of workers on the payroll of the UBE, their colleagues in the Senior Secondary Schools Board have neither been promoted for close to a decade nor received salary raise in the years earlier quoted.

    “Payment of gratuities and pensions have become prayer points for our people who served the state meritoriously, as we have received several complaints of demands for kickbacks based on percentages from would-be beneficiaries from government offices responsible for handling gratuities/pensions.

    “Rivers APC finds it unjustifiable for the state government to be calling on public-spirited individuals/NGOs to donate materials to support the state’s Intergovernmental Flood Management Committee when in fact, the state government has refused to be open or transparent in accounting for the billions of naira donated to the state in cash and materials during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

    “Our party has always canvassed that the state moves away quickly from the era of engaging in the bazaar of donating scarce resources on unsolicited charities in favour of state governments and private organisations, we, therefore, invite Rivers people to note that our previous calls have today been justified since Governor Fubara is now begging for support from individuals and NGOs.

    Read Also: We will fight crime to a standstill, says Governor Fubara

    “Our party believes an Enterprise Fund in partnership with the BoI is a noble idea, but, the critical state of poverty amongst the youth in the state coupled with the long years of planlessness by government for the future of these youths, demands that mobilizing funds in the range of N10billion and not N4billion naira should be most appropriate. Our money should actually be channeled where our mouth is and our youths are our tomorrow!

    “Rivers APC believes activating a Youth Entrepreneurship Development Trust Fund and an Investment Promotion Agency should have taken far more priority than a #200billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road for a state that is amongst the first five on the list of states with the biggest unemployment figures in Nigeria.

    “Finally, we still have not been convinced of the scientific logic behind the Port Harcourt Ring Road project given the fact that Rivers residents and people have not been educated on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of such a project that will surely come with a health and social impact on the lives of the people. This is besides the fact that Tender Notice(s) for this project was not advertised on national dailies in keeping with the Procurement Act.”

  • We will fight crime to a standstill, says Governor Fubara

    We will fight crime to a standstill, says Governor Fubara

    The Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised residents of the state that his administration would fight crime to a standstill.

    Fubara spoke during the Rivers Zero Crime Campaign Flag-off organised by Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, appreciated the synergy expressed by stakeholders in the area of crime fighting.

    He said if Rivers were not peaceful and free of crime, development would not be sustained and people would not sleep with their two eyes closed.

    In a statement signed by the head of press, deputy governor’s office, Owupele Benebo, Fubara said the state government had always partnered with the police and other security agencies to fight criminality.

    He recalled that under his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, surveillance and tactical centres were set up to carry out security operations in the state.

    He said: “We are synergising with the police to ensure that Rivers State is peaceful, loving and calm to everyone who comes here to do business.

    Read Also: We will keep supporting UNIPORT to retain ranking, says Fubara

    “I want to plead with all of us that this is not a thing we should leave for the police or religious leaders alone. I want to tell us that all of us must play a role, it is a time for everybody to participate.”

    Fubara, who commended CP Emeka Polycap Nwonyi and his team for initiating the Rivers Zero Crime Campaign described the initiative as the first of its kind.

    In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Emeka Polycarp Nwonyi, commended Fubara, for the support he had continued to give to the police to maintain a crime-free state.

    He said the Rivers Zero Crime Campaign was borne out of the need to build trust, fight crime and promote a positive union between the police and the citizens.

  • Fubara vows to fish out hoodlums, who invaded girls’ hostel in Rivers varsity

    Fubara vows to fish out hoodlums, who invaded girls’ hostel in Rivers varsity

    Rivers State governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to apprehend hoodlums that invaded the girls’ hostel at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt.

     Hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers and rapists broke into the female hostel on Thursday robbing and raping some students.

      It was gathered that the armed youths, who were said to have gained entry through the laundry at about 1:40am  carted away mobile phones, cash and other valuables.

     One of the victims was quoted by a blogger to have cried out after the incident that she was a virgin when she slept at night but became a deflowered girl in the morning.

     The raid by the hoodlums was said to have occurred at  hostels D and C where many students are accommodated close to the school back gate.

     Fubara was said to have personally visited the students, who staged a peaceful demonstration after the incident to complain about poor security at the campus.

     The governor condemned the act saying he was embittered that such an incident could happen in the jet age.

    Fubara insisted that the culprits must be apprehended. He  suspected that the  persons who perpetrated the act could be within the school.

    Read Also: First Lady’s RHI trains 35 women In ICT, empowerment programme

    The governor also promised to boost security within the campus and offered medical treatments to persons injured during the incident.

     He said: “Honesty, I was really bitter that such a thing will be happening in this jet age, somebody breaking into the female hostel to go and molest girls.

    “I said I won’t just send my aides and the police, I will come and see things myself to see and assess the situation. 

    “Let me assure you that we must arrest the culprits. And I’m sure they are not people outside. They are also students here. 

    “For those students that are victims, I will make sure that they get the required medical attention. And we are going to make sure it doesn’t repeat itself. And I will also liaise with the school authority to improve the security situation”.