News

FG To Establish New Universities

Published

14 years ago

November 7, 2011

President Goodluck Jonathan said last Saturday that more universities would be established in more states as a far-reaching measure to bring tertiary education closer to the people.

The President said this in Abakaliki at a grand reception in honour of nine Federal Government appointees from Ebonyi State.

Jonathan was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Defence, Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello.

The honourees include Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, Justice Uche Onyemenam and Mr Elias Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.

Others are Chief Okeagu Ogada, Member Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, National Commissioner, INEC and Prof. Selina Oko, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State.

He said that the Federal Executive Council took the bold decision to create more new federal universities to register more federal presence in younger States.

“The siting of the new Federal University in Ebonyi is deliberate as a far-reaching measure to bring tertiary education closer to the people,” he said.

According to him, the take over of the Ebonyi Medical College and upgrading of the Fistula Centre to a national Fistula centre, is to ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s scarce resources and projects.

He said that the Federal Government was satisfied with the commitment and the quality of service provided by the honourees in the discharge of their assigned duties and responsibilities.

“It is instructive, however, to appreciate that the journey to the realisation of the transformation agenda is tortuous but surely at the end, we are optimistic of getting to the promised land sooner than expected,’’ he noted.

The President said that his administration was resolute in the pursuit of its plan for the country to develop critical infrastructure that would galvanise the economy and create employment.

He said that the Federal Government would expedite action to effect the payment of funds owed Ebonyi State on federal roads executed on its behalf.

Earlier, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi had drawn the attention of the President to the deplorable condition of federal roads throughout the length and breadth of the state.

“There is no good federal road throughout the length and breadth of Ebonyi. Those who travel from Enugu and Afikpo axis can attest to the pitiable situation of those roads.

“Therefore, all we can say is that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

“Incidentally, even where we have taken the necessary steps to assist the Federal Government to improve on the condition of federal roads in Ebonyi, the money has not been refunded.”

Responding on behalf other honourees .Chukwu, thanked the president for their appointment, and assured the people that they would not betray the trust and confidence reposed in them.

The ceremony was attended by eminent Nigerians including the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ben Obi, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Relations.

Others are Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Baraje, PDP Chairman, and Mr Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police, among others.

Our correspondent reports that the three justices among the honourees were absent at the occasion.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.