News

First Lady Poised To Accelerate Development Of Cancer Centre

Published

16 years ago

October 19, 2009

The First Lady, Hajiya Tuari Yar’ Adua is determined to accelerate development of the Abuja International Cancer Centre in order to take cancer treatment to the next level.

The FCT Minister, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero dropped this hint on Tuesday while receiving the Vice President of Global Business Development and Managing Director of Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston Texas, USA, Mr. Mitch Latinkic in his office.

The Minister revealed that the design of the Centre is ready while the bill of quantity would be ready in three weeks to enable the real construction begin in earnest.

Senator Aliero disclosed that the construction and equipping of the Centre would be undertaken simultaneously because of the desire of the First Lady to record concrete achievement for the benefit of Nigerians especially those afflicted with the dreaded disease.

According to him, the whole effort of the First lady is for the Abuja International Cancer to be a Non-Governmental Organisation to give access to all classes of Nigerians irrespective of their social standing to benefit from its services at ease.

His words: “The Abuja International Cancer Centre would be private sector driven as the funds so far realised for the project were from well-spirited individuals, corporate organisations and international donors” .

He called for their continued support and understanding to ensure that this lofty dream is realised to the glory of God and greater benefit of the humanity.

Responding, Vice President of Global Business Development and Managing Director of Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston Texas, USA , Mr. Mitch Latinkic who said the delegation was in Nigeria on assessment visit of the Abuja international Centre lauded the foresight of the First Lady in establishing the Cancer Centre.

He assured that the delegation would help where necessary especially to make an impact in prevention of Cancer disease which is dreaded in nature.

Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has destroyed over two hundred shanties harbouring criminals and drug peddlers in Mabushi District of the Federal Capital City, Abuja .

The operation was carried out at the weekend by the Ministerial Joint Task Force recently constituted by the FCT Minister, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero to rid the City of illegal structures, shanties, street hawkers, beggars and commercial motorcyclists.

The suspected criminals and hard drug peddlers on sighting members of the FCT Ministerial Task Force escaped into the nearby bush.

It was observed that most of the shanties earlier removed by Ministerial Task Force were rebuilt to the greatest astonishment of the members; while in some cases they moved inward into the bush to erect additional shanties.

The Minister thus, lamented that the people are not cooperating but the operation would continue until they are tired and move out of such places with their illegal structures.

His words: “The FCT Administration would continue to discharge its statutory responsibility by maintaining the Abuja Master Plan in consonance with vision of its founding fathers as there would be no compromise” .

Senator Aliero reiterated that all black spots in Abuja must be adequately covered to save the residents of the trauma being experienced in the hands of the few undesirable elements who use such places as cover to perpetuate their illegal activities.

He warned that the war against illegal structures and criminal activities in the Federal Capital Territory is total and vowed that the operation would be a continuous one until Abuja is sanitised; insisting that no nooks and crannies of the city would be spared.

The Minister added that “they (crooks) have a chance to repent and get re-absorbed into the society or move out of the Federal Capital Territory as the FCT Administration is committed to get rid of them” .

Senator Aliero repeated the earlier call made to the allottees of undeveloped plots and those with abandoned, uncompleted buildings within serviced areas of the City including foreign missions to commence or completed the development of such properties.

“Accordingly they have been given six months grace period ending December 31, 2009 to commence/complete their development or face withdrawal/revocation their title documents”, the Minister stressed.

He insisted that there is no going back on that policy because the affected property owners/foreign missions have been given enough time from the previous FCT Administrations to date.

Senator Aliero remarked that alternative plots may however be made available to the Foreign Missions whenever they are ready to commence development as the government cannot condone non-development of property in the heart of city.

Justice Awaji, Abuja

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.