News

Tributes Flood Gani’s Home

Published

16 years ago

September 11, 2009

A valedictory court session was held by lawyers in honour of the foremost human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi Wednesday at Igbosere Magistrate’s court, where he started his law practice.

By Tuesday, the remains of the fallen legal icon whose final journey began on Monday, laid at his chambers at Ajao Estate, Anthony Lagos while over 1000 prominent Nigerians had signed the condolence register at his 9A, Ademola Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos residence.

The final journey for Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who died Saturday afternoon in Lagos, began Monday, even as a flood of tributes continue to trail his demise.

Gani, as he was popularly called, died at the age of 71 after a protracted battle with lung cancer and will be buried in his country home in Ondo State on September 15th 2009.

Traffic was brought to a standstill Monday afternoon at the Ikeja GRA area as his remains left a private morgue at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for his Ikeja home where the lying in state began.

A multitude of Nigerians joined the convoy of family members and mourners as the ambulance that conveyed Gani’s remains departed at about 11.52am for his Ikeja residence.

Present at the lying in state Monday afternoon were Mr. Banire, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Okei-Odumakin, President of Campaign for Democracy (CD) and other human rights activists.

Meanwhile Civil Society organizations have commenced a meeting in Lagos to plan for their effective participation in the burial of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi who was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The National co-ordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams told The Tide, that OPC and other civil society organizations in the country would play a big role in the burial activities of the late human rights activist.

He also called for the immortalization of Gani with a solid structure or monument that will become a tourist attraction for all Nigerians.

Last Sunday, a prominent religious leader and serving Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare said nobody can wear Gani’s shoes.

Preaching a sermon in his church in Lagos, Bakare said Gani laid down his life for the nation. “His shoes remain for him, nobody can step into them, because they are uniquely his”, said Bakare who once worked at Gani’s chambers as a young lawyer.

He condoled the family of the late human rights lawyer and urged the congregation to pray for the repose of his soul.

In a tribute, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu praised Gani for his “extra ordinary patriotism while Mrs. Farida Waziri, current EFCC boss described him as “a principled, dogged and unrelenting crusader fully committed to any course he believed”.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Gani as “an icon in his own right and a social critic who had the courage of his conviction”, while former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said Gani was a defender of the rule of law and the common man.

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda also paid tribute to Gani as one who devoted the better part of life fighting for improved standards, good governance and rule of law.

Others who have already paid tribute to the fallen Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) included Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Speaker House of Representatives, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Gov. Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State and Olisa Agbakoba, a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.